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Topic: Them pesky dials (Read 1125 times) |
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Waglet
Full Member
Aubergine 24V
Posts: 209
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Them pesky dials
« on: Jul 5th, 2008, 5:32pm » |
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Hi all. When I start up the Scorp (24V) just purchased from Pete scruffygyt the dials wang round to the stops and back again. Why is this? Also the trip meter and mileage on computer all reset themselves. What can I do to prevent this? Many thanks Waglet. It averaged 30.4 MPG from Essex to MK. Then reset itself. DOH!
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Waglet
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scorpio_man
Administrator
Ford Kuga awd
Posts: 5654
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Re: Them pesky dials
« Reply #1 on: Jul 5th, 2008, 5:37pm » |
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hi there
classic signs of you needing a new battery. 
see the fault finder on the main site.
hth
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ChrisF
Full Member
All the Granny's now the best 98 2.3 16v Ultima
Posts: 136
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Re: Them pesky dials
« Reply #2 on: Jul 5th, 2008, 6:01pm » |
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I agree that sadly you need a new battery, classic signs. Dont forget to write down your radio code afore you change the battery. Best price I have found is Partco about £55.
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Scorpio_Mike
Senior Member
Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 V6 & 2.8 Sierra XR4i 4x4
Posts: 2354
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Re: Them pesky dials
« Reply #3 on: Jul 5th, 2008, 6:09pm » |
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How do you get the radio to display the code ?
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Star sign is Scorpio !
Sierra XR4i's are great...especially when fitted with 4WD 
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ChrisF
Full Member
All the Granny's now the best 98 2.3 16v Ultima
Posts: 136
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Re: Them pesky dials
« Reply #4 on: Jul 5th, 2008, 6:17pm » |
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I dont think you can. Best bet is to ask the bloke you bought it from. He may have written it down somewhere, hand book for example. It is a four figure code.
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Simmo
Administrator
I'm an OAP !
Posts: 5508
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Re: Them pesky dials
« Reply #5 on: Jul 5th, 2008, 7:44pm » |
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Mike. Do you mean how do you insert the code ??. If you do not have the code you will need the serial number of the radio and several of the lads here have the software to provide the code via a PM. Mike.
Waglet. As has been said classic sign of battery problems.
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Jonnycab
Senior Member
Former owner of 2.3 Ultima Facelift saloon
Posts: 3900
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Re: Them pesky dials
« Reply #6 on: Jul 5th, 2008, 8:28pm » |
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I can let you know the radio code if you PM me the serial number
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Waglet
Full Member
Aubergine 24V
Posts: 209
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Re: Them pesky dials
« Reply #7 on: Jul 5th, 2008, 11:03pm » |
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Thanks guys. It looks like some kind soul has written the code for the radio etc. in the space provided in the 'operating guide' booklet. Hurrah. However would a duff battery make the computer reset? When it does it revets to metric instead of MPG
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Waglet
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ChrisF
Full Member
All the Granny's now the best 98 2.3 16v Ultima
Posts: 136
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Re: Them pesky dials
« Reply #8 on: Jul 5th, 2008, 11:31pm » |
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When it is bad enough it will, it would revert to however it was originaly set up, MPG presumably. But check the alternator before you get a new bat, just check that it has an output of about 14v with it on a reasonably fast tickover with the heater on fast.
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Snoopy
Administrator
Very old.BAD tempered and missing friends.
Posts: 6278
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Re: Them pesky dials
« Reply #9 on: Jul 6th, 2008, 8:13am » |
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With regards the reset on the eec the default setting is METRIC >>>
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scruffygyt
Full Member
I'm a YaBB newbie!
Posts: 129
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Re: Them pesky dials
« Reply #10 on: Jul 6th, 2008, 11:58am » |
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as i pointed out to Richard when he viewed the car its been doing that for the last six months or more and always started first time every time even after standing for a couple of weeks, surely if there was a problem with the battery it would have shown up by now
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98 24v ultima (facelift) now sold & missing it
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Waglet
Full Member
Aubergine 24V
Posts: 209
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Re: Them pesky dials
« Reply #11 on: Jul 6th, 2008, 12:19pm » |
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I agree with scruffygyt Pete. What I will do is swap the battery with the Granada MK3 that had its accident this week. I know the battery in this car is under 6 months old. Hopefully the terminals are the same? Can't do it today tho'....its chucking it down here in not so sunny MK
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Waglet
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TRACEYS_LIMO
Full Member
I'm a YaBB newbie
Posts: 377
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Re: Them pesky dials
« Reply #12 on: Jul 6th, 2008, 12:40pm » |
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it is the right size battery for the car no offence implied 
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Geeker
Newbie
98 R 24v Cosworth
Posts: 41
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Re: Them pesky dials
« Reply #13 on: Jul 6th, 2008, 2:10pm » |
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I had exactly the same problem a few months ago, the needles were flicking right round, trip meter resetting and changing back to metric, a proper nuisance 
I charged the battery, but it never lasted more than a couple of days till it did it again. I had the battery checked by a couple of places and neither of them could tell me for sure whether it was the battery or the alternator.
In the end I plumped for getting a new battery, it was a lot cheaper and a heck of a lot easier than getting another alternator. Happy to say it's been absolutely fine ever since and the problems have completely disappeared.
To think that I put up with it for SO long, all the hassle it would cause with jump starting it and all that messing about... as if life isn't stressful enough eh! 
Good luck
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Waglet
Full Member
Aubergine 24V
Posts: 209
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Re: Them pesky dials
« Reply #14 on: Jul 6th, 2008, 11:16pm » |
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Thanks Mr Geeker. As soon as the rain stops....the battery it is!
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Waglet
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Jonnycab
Senior Member
Former owner of 2.3 Ultima Facelift saloon
Posts: 3900
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Re: Them pesky dials
« Reply #15 on: Jul 7th, 2008, 12:15am » |
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I've always found that a good way of testing for a weak battery is to move the electric drivers seat back & forwards a couple of times (ignition off) & then try & start the car.
A good battery should start the car on the button, but a weak battery will have had the juice sucked out of it by the load from the electric seat, so will make the dials flick & turn the engine slowly or maybe just do the 'clicking' noise 
Also check the climate control by holding the buttons in....if there is a '08' or '58' code then this indicates that the battery is weak
Also check the alternator output while the car is running either with a multimeter on the battery or by using the dashboard diagnostic feature.....holding the trip reset button in for about 5 seconds until it beeps & then pressing it 8 times until it gets to 'bAtt'.....alternator output should be between 13.8 - 14.4 V ......http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/instreset.htm
Hope this helps
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Waglet
Full Member
Aubergine 24V
Posts: 209
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Re: Them pesky dials
« Reply #16 on: Jul 7th, 2008, 11:47am » |
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This site never ceases to amaze me as does the Scorp! Always helpful and always something new to learn, what fun. Thanks Johnnycab
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Waglet
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Waglet
Full Member
Aubergine 24V
Posts: 209
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Re: Them pesky dials
« Reply #17 on: Jul 11th, 2008, 11:39pm » |
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It finally stopped raining enough tonight for me to put the battery from my MK3 onto the Scorp, (I know this one is much newer) went for a test run and all seems fine. The out put test via the trip meter was spot on (thanks to jonnycab for the heads up on that one). Hopefully no more flicking dials! Any one interested in a MK3 with only 60k on the clock? I.M. me or email richard.c.warner@bt.com or try that old communication trick by phone 01908 672089.
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Waglet
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Waglet
Full Member
Aubergine 24V
Posts: 209
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Re: Them pesky dials
« Reply #18 on: Jul 23rd, 2008, 1:14pm » |
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New battery seems to have done the trick. And the MK3 is sold. 
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Waglet
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Waglet
Full Member
Aubergine 24V
Posts: 209
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Re: Them pesky dials
« Reply #19 on: Aug 8th, 2008, 10:45am » |
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Oh well .......It's doing again as well. I reckon there must be something draining the battery slightly. When it gets 'low' enough the dials do their thing and whip round. Annoying coz I like to know how many MPG I'm NOT doing! Sometimes I wonder why I bovver with these motors. Think my missus might be right!
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Waglet
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