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        General >> Give/Need advice to/from others >> Flicking dials has caused new problem. SORTED
        
(Message started by: Geoff_W on Feb 9^th, 2008, 6:13pm)

Title: Flicking dials has caused new problem. SORTED
Post by Geoff_W on Feb 9^th, 2008, 6:13pm

You may see that I have responded to another post here with a tale of my flicking dials this week.

Just spotted that the speedo needle flicked over so enthusiastically it now appears to be resting in a 6 o'clock position.

At this point I now see that I should have started this in advice needed

:-[

Suspect this is an instrument console out thing as the trained ant is on holiday, tempted to take a very fine drill to the front and try to flick it back with a piece of fuse wire.

Anybody got any other bright ideas?

Geoff

Title: Re: Flicking dials has caused new problem.
Post by scorpio_man on Feb 9^th, 2008, 6:40pm

hi geoff

try a dash reset first. :)

hth

Title: Re: Flicking dials has caused new problem.
Post by a900one on Feb 9^th, 2008, 6:41pm

Just had the same when my battery of 2 years 3 months gave up last week.
When I showed the man from Halfords the problem it stuck at 6 as well.
I pressed the trip button untill you can check the voltage, turned off and on again and it reset. You will need a new battery if the needles are flicking.

Title: Re: Flicking dials has caused new problem.
Post by Geoff_W on Feb 10^th, 2008, 2:34pm

Yes well I have done all the usual reset actions and the speedo needle unlike every other one still sits there pointing down at the floor.

Anybody else had this problem, if so any suggestions on options if the instrument console reset does not do the trick?

For the record the NEW battery I fitted is working well ;)

Title: Re: Flicking dials has caused new problem.
Post by harry.m1byt on Feb 10^th, 2008, 3:32pm

Geoff, Could it be that the needle is simply stuck down below the 0mph pin?

There have been a few like this recently. Does the needle move around to the stop pin if you drive it?

If it does take it up to a good speed on the motorway and give the top of the dash a good thump to get the needle to bounce over the top of the pin.

Title: Re: Flicking dials has caused new problem.
Post by Geoff_W on Feb 10^th, 2008, 3:56pm

Hi Harry,

There is no stop pin on my speedo, when the needles flicked the first time the speedo flicked all the way over to the right in a clockwise manner and has stopped aiming vertically down, it is actually stopped from moving further clockwise by the shape of the front face of the speedo.

Go and have a look at the six o'clock view of your speeds and you will see what I mean.

There is no movement whatsoever when driving.

Title: Re: Flicking dials has caused new problem.
Post by scorpio_man on Feb 10^th, 2008, 4:01pm

hi geoff

you'll need to take the dash off and the clear plastic cover of the speedo. then just move the needle.

hth

Title: Re: Flicking dials has caused new problem.
Post by harry.m1byt on Feb 10^th, 2008, 4:16pm

There has to be a pin there, unless it has broken off - it is quite small/difficult to see.

The 'no movement' suggests (hopefully) the needle has simply wedged itself against the lens.

Title: Re: Flicking dials has caused new problem.
Post by Geoff_W on Feb 10^th, 2008, 4:24pm

Its actually wedged against a piece of shaped plastic at the bottom edge of the speedo.

Title: Re: Flicking dials has caused new problem.
Post by Geoff_W on Feb 10^th, 2008, 4:25pm

I think this will have to be an instrument console out job. In any case there are a couple of bulbs that have gone, so it is an excuse to get on and change them :-/

Title: Re: Flicking dials has caused new problem.
Post by martin_rowe on Feb 11^th, 2008, 9:08am

disconnect, then re connect battery, usually works.

Title: Re: Flicking dials has caused new problem.
Post by Geoff_W on Feb 12^th, 2008, 10:34am

Thanks Martin,

That sorted it! ;) ;D

Still going to have to do the bulbs though

Title: Re: Flicking dials has caused new problem. SORTED
Post by Pikey on Feb 18^th, 2008, 1:42pm

Mine failed to start last night - I presumed this was down to the extreme cold weather, but my dials are doing the sweeping from side to side thing when you turn the key, so does this mean I need a new battery, not just charge the existing one up? :'(

Title: Re: Flicking dials has caused new problem. SORTED
Post by Simmo on Feb 18^th, 2008, 2:07pm

It means that the battery is not putting out enough power to start the car so charging it may solve the problem but it depends on what use the car gets and whether the alternator is putting enough back in and whether the battery can hold the charge. Try a trickle charge and see?. :) Have a read of THIS (http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/battery.htm). These cars need a powerful battery so don't go for a lesser spec if you do have to replace it.

Title: Re: Flicking dials has caused new problem. SORTED
Post by Geoff_W on Feb 18^th, 2008, 2:53pm

At this time of year with low overnight temperatures engines become much more difficult to turn over. Add to that a battery that either has not had sufficient charge or is not holding its charge and the dials start flicking.

It may not need a new battery, as Simmo says this depends on how much mileage you do, whether the alternator is putting out enough charge, if the fan belt is tensioned correctly. Remeber that these cars are often at least ten years old and will need a battery replacing at some point.

Good luck whatever.

Title: Re: Flicking dials has caused new problem. SORTED
Post by Highlander on Feb 18^th, 2008, 3:28pm

"Fan belt"?? You're showing your age Geoff ;)

Title: Re: Flicking dials has caused new problem. SORTED
Post by Pikey on Feb 18^th, 2008, 3:57pm

It was -2 last night :o

I'll charge it up tonight and see if that helps :)

Title: Re: Flicking dials has caused new problem. SORTED
Post by Geoff_W on Feb 18^th, 2008, 7:23pm

serpentine drivebelt stuart ;D

Title: Re: Flicking dials has caused new problem. SORTED
Post by Pikey on Feb 21^st, 2008, 8:52am

Yarr - she be working again ;D