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Topic: Instruments out - trip reset on engine start (Read 613 times) |
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johnb
Newbie
Posts: 4
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Instruments out - trip reset on engine start
« on: Jan 23rd, 2005, 10:48am » |
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Most (but not every) times I've started my 2.3 Ultima over recent days, it's been slightly hesitant, and, when the engine is going and revs settle to idle, the speedo and rev counter dials go to max andd the fuel gauge goes to min, and the digital displays go out. Everything then goes back to normal, but the trip displays have reset. Seems to me I have an increasing problem with the alternator, voltage regulator or starter.
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km449
Guest
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Re: Instruments out - trip reset on engine start
« Reply #1 on: Jan 23rd, 2005, 11:18am » |
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I had a similar problem a month or so ago. Started car (2.3 Ultima), needles went to max, computer reset itself to zero and metric, although needles immediately settled to normal and car drove fine. I feared the worst though!
Various members here suggested battery was on way out (apparently the start of colder mornings coupled with the elec demands of a fully loaded ultima makes this a common problem), changed battery and problem solved!
Hasn't happened since.
Just a thought
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Eddie
Full Member
Must try a different shampoo!
Posts: 495
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Re: Instruments out - trip reset on engine start
« Reply #2 on: Jan 24th, 2005, 12:18pm » |
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JohnB,Try the battery voltage test.
Ignition on,press and hold the trip button for 10 secs.
When the display changes release and press the button until the battery voltage is diplayed,I think its the last one in the cycle.
Post the result here and someone will tell you if it is ok.
There is a write up on the main site regarding this,
eddie
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johnb
Newbie
Posts: 4
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Re: Instruments out - trip reset on engine start
« Reply #3 on: Jan 24th, 2005, 6:46pm » |
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Battery flat this morning. Got a jump start. Replaced battery (which was original fit). Instruments seem to be behaving. With old battery, was reading 13.8V at panel durining running without lights etc. With new battery now reading 14.1.
Still not convinced battery change is cure, or just hiding symptoms. Sneaking suspiicion it's the voltage regulator.
Got battery from Halfords, and paid £5 for them to fit, which was a bargain since it took 30 minutes in a freezing car park.
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ren
Full Member
95 N 2.9 24v Cossie Estate
Posts: 480
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Re: Instruments out - trip reset on engine start
« Reply #4 on: Jan 24th, 2005, 9:11pm » |
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HI
Changed my battery last Nov
had my alternator changed last week
and all it needed was the connections tightening
so would suggest if you can, test your alt,
Ren
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Geoff_W
Senior Member
98 Ulti2.5tdi Auto
Posts: 1340
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Re: Instruments out - trip reset on engine start
« Reply #5 on: Jan 24th, 2005, 10:52pm » |
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John B
How old is your scorp? If it was the original battery you have done pretty well to make it last this long.
It may well be a charging circuit, but from the sound of things old age also had its part to play.
The 14.1 volts is an indicator of how much charge the battery is accepting so hopefully you may find that things are sorted.
Good luck
Geoff
On the mk3 you knew that things were starting to be a bit dodgy if the ABS light started to glow and the radio lost tune.
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The winding road goes on and on... or at least it does in Northumberland
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johnb
Newbie
Posts: 4
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Re: Instruments out - trip reset on engine start
« Reply #6 on: Jan 25th, 2005, 10:33am » |
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Geoff_W,
It's S reg, but built in Oct 97. Battery was original fit. The car has been pretty good electrically, all I've ever changed before is an ignition coil and some instrument bulbs, and that's in 113K miles. Mind you, it gets an easy life, because nearly all of my journeys are 24 miles each way to work, driven at moderate speeds.
The second time I started it after the new battery, the rev counter and speedo flicked to full deflection but the trips din't reset, as soon as the panel lit up and before the starter engaged. Since then, it's behaved as advertised.
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Geoff_W
Senior Member
98 Ulti2.5tdi Auto
Posts: 1340
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Re: Instruments out - trip reset on engine start
« Reply #7 on: Jan 25th, 2005, 12:56pm » |
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John,
7-8 years on an original battery is pretty good going, hopefully your new one will also give good service.
Happy motoring!
Geoff
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The winding road goes on and on... or at least it does in Northumberland
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richardcoles
Newbie
I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
Posts: 10
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Re: Instruments out - trip reset on engine start
« Reply #8 on: Feb 15th, 2005, 10:11am » |
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Gentlemen,
I had a similar problem and noticed that every time I started the engine the instrument cluster reset itself, which was inconvenient as I was checking the MPG. After reading the web site one chap reported that a battery caused this, which was on its way out. So the next time I was in Halfords I bought new battery and also some magic battery tablets, which claimed to rejuvenate old batteries. The bottom line is do not waste your money on these tablets.
Changed the battery even though it was still starting the car. The result was that the instrument cluster does not now reset itself.
Many thanks the info.
Regards Richard.
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