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Topic: Instrument Dials (Read 960 times) |
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madpenfold
Newbie
 
Posts: 14
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Instrument Dials
« on: Jan 12th, 2005, 3:46pm » |
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Okay - car runs nicely
I get in it today.. Ignition turn on - car at idle all instruments read including digital ones. apply some revs and the digits go out and the orange dials go to zero, let it go back to idle and its all ok....
So why when I apply revs does everything set to zero or go out (digits).. car drives, lights work and radio works,,,,,, so no loss of power.
Its almost like its in reset mode?
help!! long journey ahead!
Chris
chris@hctechnologies.co.uk
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Snoopy
Administrator
Very old.BAD tempered and missing friends.
Posts: 6278
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Re: Instrument Dials
« Reply #1 on: Jan 12th, 2005, 4:14pm » |
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It sounds as though the battery is failing and the alternator is not pushing out any current.. but its all very strange behaviour...... Has the car had a soaking recently and have you got a battery cover fitted.. Been through any floods etc... the information you have posted iis not sufficient to help .. we need more info.....
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madpenfold
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Posts: 14
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Re: Instrument Dials
« Reply #2 on: Jan 12th, 2005, 4:22pm » |
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Nope the car has not received a soaking lately - worked alright this morning
Battery cover ohhmmmm nope did not know there was one.... worked alright..... feeding lights etc etc which I would guess would fail the battery
nothing seems to be draining the battery when I put the fot on accelerator.. and its only when i go above 1krpm (just above idle) that i get the problem
Should I go and get new battery?
there appears to be no fluid or corrosion on battery
Chris
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Snoopy
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Re: Instrument Dials
« Reply #3 on: Jan 12th, 2005, 4:43pm » |
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If you haven't got a battery cover then this is a must... only about £8.00 from Fords..FINIS 1011540 for a battery cover . ( See the main page for info http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/ )Does sound like water in electrics though...... Very strange... No don't go out and get a new battery yet there is more to this than meets the eye...
Electrics Others will tell you behave very strangely on these vehicles.... Have you tried a system reset?
Disconect the battery for about 30 mins and then reconnect.... see what happens then...
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madpenfold
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Re: Instrument Dials
« Reply #4 on: Jan 12th, 2005, 9:32pm » |
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Sorry - on looking it does have a one
when I wrote the mail I had been looking at my wifes car and immediately thought of that
Shall check connections tomorrow and reset battery
Thanks
chris
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madpenfold
Newbie
Posts: 14
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Re: Instrument Dials
« Reply #5 on: Jan 14th, 2005, 9:32am » |
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Tried releasing battery for over an hour...
Still no joy..
I did notice a fuse between live on battery and somewhere else which I replaced as it looked dodgy
Help!
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madpenfold
Newbie
Posts: 14
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Re: Instrument Dials
« Reply #6 on: Jan 14th, 2005, 10:15am » |
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Just let the car sit at idel for 30 mins - nothing changes
Checked the battery (using the instrument diagnostics.....)
at idle its +15 fluctuating quickly between 15 and occassionally 16
Chris...can you tell cars are not my thing... glad I am an MS guru!
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Dave
Senior Member
Tourmallard 24v (ex-owner)
Posts: 1984
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Re: Instrument Dials
« Reply #7 on: Jan 14th, 2005, 11:26am » |
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Hmmm. Is it possible that the alternator is putting out too much charge and the instruments are all going off to protect themselves and their circuits from damage?
Is 15-16 volts not a bit high? I could be wrong but I thought it was meant to be more like 14-14.5 volts with engine running. I got a new multimeter for Christmas and have so far checked a 1966 Morris Minor (with alternator), and a 1998 Mitsubishi Carisma and they were both within the range of 14-14.5 volts with engine running. Sommat to check maybe?
Cheers
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VMAN
Junior Member
I tawt I taw a puddy cat
Posts: 67
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Re: Instrument Dials
« Reply #8 on: Jan 14th, 2005, 12:39pm » |
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Dave may have a point. The voltage regulator may have gone bust in the alternator. when you switch on lights and rev the car do the lights get noticably brighter which would indicate that the voltage out of the alternator is not getting regulated.
John
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madpenfold
Newbie
Posts: 14
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Re: Instrument Dials
« Reply #9 on: Jan 14th, 2005, 12:56pm » |
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Okay Lights do get brighter
So what have I got to do - get a new Alternator?
Have no meter and would not necessarily know how to use one ... oh please give me a computer I know them.....
I tool reading off instrument panel and it never drops below 15
thanks for ideas so far
Chris
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VMAN
Junior Member
I tawt I taw a puddy cat
Posts: 67
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Re: Instrument Dials
« Reply #10 on: Jan 14th, 2005, 1:05pm » |
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Hi Cris You could try to disconnect the alternator and see if the symtom go away if it does then you may have to get alternator repaired or replaced.
(Before you fork out the money get the fault confirmed by an auto electrician)
John.
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madpenfold
Newbie
Posts: 14
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Re: Instrument Dials
« Reply #11 on: Jan 14th, 2005, 1:23pm » |
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Okay
I now need to identify the alternator and then know where to disconnect
for how long as well?
Chris
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madpenfold
Newbie
Posts: 14
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Re: Instrument Dials
« Reply #13 on: Jan 14th, 2005, 3:51pm » |
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Okay happy using that link to find the alternator ... but what do I disconnect as advised to see if its that
Are there some wires?
Chris
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Snoopy
Administrator
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Posts: 6278
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Re: Instrument Dials
« Reply #14 on: Jan 14th, 2005, 4:32pm » |
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If you just want to see it the car runs better without the alternator then just take the belt off its a really easy thing to do and run the engine without it and see if the problem still exists... If it cures it then you know its the alternator at fault.. but you wont have any power steering so would not advise driving the car .. Running stationary is fine.....
About 1/2 way down the page it details removing the electrical connections from the alternator......
What engine IS it ......
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madpenfold
Newbie
Posts: 14
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Re: Instrument Dials
« Reply #15 on: Jan 14th, 2005, 8:24pm » |
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Its a 2.3 P reg estate
I guess thats DOHC?
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madpenfold
Newbie
Posts: 14
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Re: Instrument Dials
« Reply #17 on: Jan 18th, 2005, 7:16pm » |
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Thanks for everyones tests
It was the alternator - all fitted and car working well again.
when mechanic came and I told him of tests I had done at advice of here, he checked the voltage and found it far too hire. Replaced alternator and all is ok
So thanks again all...
Chris/Penfold
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VMAN
Junior Member
I tawt I taw a puddy cat
Posts: 67
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Re: Instrument Dials
« Reply #18 on: Jan 18th, 2005, 7:20pm » |
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Pleased to hear you've resolved the problem. I hope you don't see to many more problems.
John
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