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        General >> Off Topic Subjects >> So let's see you solve THIS one!!
        
(Message started by: Spannerdemon on Jun 20^th, 2006, 9:33pm)

Title: So let's see you solve THIS one!!
Post by Spannerdemon on Jun 20^th, 2006, 9:33pm

I've spent most of today trying to sort out a problem with my wife's Toyota MR2.

I can promise you that if you thought Scorpio electrics were a nightmare, then you aint tried getting to anything on an MR!!

So here's the question?

Why does her engine continue to run even when she turns the ignition off, and can remove the key from the lock? The only clue is that the battery light stays lit on the dash, but all the gauges fall to zero.

It's NOT the ignition switch. I've tried a brand new one.

Thinking caps on guys. I'm absolutely baffled by this one, and would be grateful for any ideas. ???

Title: Re: So let's see you solve THIS one!!
Post by David_South_West on Jun 20^th, 2006, 10:20pm

How long does it run for and how do you stop it ?

Title: Re: So let's see you solve THIS one!!
Post by Spannerdemon on Jun 20^th, 2006, 10:32pm

Hi David:

It will run for as long as there's petrol in the tank I presume (I left it for 20 minutes today with the key OUT, and it still refused to stop running)!!, and the only way to stop it is to deliberately stall it by holding the brake down whilst it's in gear and slowly letting the clutch off. Really weird this one. Just can't fathom out anything sensible on it.

Title: Re: So let's see you solve THIS one!!
Post by David_South_West on Jun 20^th, 2006, 10:40pm

faulty ignition switch wiring shorting out ? Sticking relay somewhere ? Have you tried pulling relays out one at a time ?

Title: Re: So let's see you solve THIS one!!
Post by Spannerdemon on Jun 20^th, 2006, 10:47pm

I've had every relay out, and given them all a tap for good measure. Also checked all the fuses and the control units under the engine cover and bonnet. there are loads of them on the MR2.
Had a sticking fuel injector relay myself once on a Vauxhall Carlton 2.0i which kept stalling the car whilst out on the road so know what a pain these things can be.

Thanks for your interest and help, it's appreciated. Got to go to bed now, as early start.

I'll have to try harder tomorrow!! I'll update if I find anything.

Thanks ;)

Title: Re: So let's see you solve THIS one!!
Post by jonnycab on Jun 21^st, 2006, 12:10am

A few years back a friend gave me a lift home in his brand new MR2 & parked it on a slight hill outside my flat, obviously with the handbrake on.
He loved his new car & while he stood back admiring it, the car started rolling backwards & stopped dead after 30 feet, slap bang in the middle of the road. It didn't hit anything it just stopped.
We went up to it & the handbrake was still on.
He took it back to the dealer & they couldn't find anything wrong with it.
So Spannerdemon, it must be Gremlins & they sound like right nasty little b****rs. ;)

Title: Re: So let's see you solve THIS one!!
Post by Spannerdemon on Jun 21^st, 2006, 7:50am

I'm getting to the stage where I will be PARKING it in the middle of the road, in the hope that some dirty big truck might just do me a BIG favour!! I'll update as and when, but I think this one might have the old 'Spanners' beaten!!

Title: Re: So let's see you solve THIS one!!
Post by Baw_Flinger on Jun 21^st, 2006, 8:34am

Perhaps its just eager ;D

Title: Re: So let's see you solve THIS one!!
Post by martin_rowe on Jun 21^st, 2006, 8:40am

Check alternator.

Title: Re: So let's see you solve THIS one!!
Post by sector-9 on Jun 21^st, 2006, 12:16pm

Does it have an aftermarket immobiliser or towbar fitted? Sounds like the output from the alternator is continuing to power the engine circuits, even though the feed from the battery has been cut via the ign. switch.

You can possibly prove this by removing the battery warning light bulb and starting the engine. If it then stops when you switch off the ignition then you'll need to investigate that part of the circuit. Don't leave the bulb out though otherwise the alternator won't charge!

Darren

Title: Re: So let's see you solve THIS one!!
Post by john_smiffy on Jun 21^st, 2006, 2:46pm

i remember see a TV program about something along the same lines

it turned out there is a water trap on the rear lid on right handside (engine cover/bonnet)that lets water run onto the alternator causing electric ignition problems

Title: Re: So let's see you solve THIS one!!
Post by Spannerdemon on Jun 21^st, 2006, 4:01pm

I'm going to get our local auto electrician sort this one out.
I've crawled all over this car. Changed relays, and checked wiring until I have almost taken the bloody car apart.
Getting the alternator out on this beauty is NOT something I'm even going to consider. it's buried right under the engine compartmnet, and at the moment, it has gone back to it's sulky non-start mode again, so I can't even drive it onto my ramps to check it out.

SOD IT.....I'm going to get our breakdown people to take it over to them to be looked at.

Thanks for all your help guys. VERY much appreciated, but enough is enough. I have other things to do, and this has taken up too much time already.

You're right John. water does pool on the rear of the car under the spoiler, and it could well have shorted out the alternator which may well explain the battery light glowing all the time. I thought I had a Volvo again at one stage. Just couldn't put the bloody light out!! 8)

She will just have to get her credit card out on this one.
First thing I haven't been able to sort out for years. Really BUGS me that does!!
Like REALLY..........AAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHHH :-/

Title: Re: So let's see you solve THIS one!!
Post by john_smiffy on Jun 21^st, 2006, 6:10pm

;D ;D thats ok Babyferrari ;D ;D

}{ }{ }{ }{

Title: Re: So let's see you solve THIS one!!
Post by Spannerdemon on Jun 21^st, 2006, 6:42pm

Yeah, even the wonders at the MR2 site couldn't sort this one out for her John. (Her ID, not mine)!! 8)
They obviously haven't got the expertise of some of the guys on this site!!

Never mind.....Thank God I've got my Scorp!! She'll have to share that for a while.

She can buy the petrol!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: So let's see you solve THIS one!!
Post by Spannerdemon on Jun 21^st, 2006, 6:48pm

Babyferrari says she'll be round to batter you John, if you don't behave !! {} {} {} and []

If YOU can get it going, there's a BIG beer in it for you!!

Title: Re: So let's see you solve THIS one!!
Post by john_smiffy on Jun 21^st, 2006, 6:58pm

i still think its something to do with water ingress to the alternator

ps im to far away to just pop down about 280 miles to far

Title: Re: So let's see you solve THIS one!!
Post by Spannerdemon on Jun 21^st, 2006, 8:08pm

You could well be right John. I can't get it up on the ramps at the moment, because A. It won't start, so I can't drive it on. B. I've got our caravan in the drive at the moment doing some work on it, and C. I really can't be arsed. I've had enough. The feckin thing can go to the sparks!!

I'll let you know what happens. Cheers for your ideas. It will be interesting to see what's caused all this. We had a HUGE thunderstorm recently, so if the alternators IS full of water, then that may well be the problem. Getting them out on these MR's is a female dog of a job, and I just haven't got the time or inclination at the moment. Too much else to do. :-/

Cheers. ;

Title: Re: So let's see you solve THIS one!!
Post by hellblue on Jun 24^th, 2006, 10:06pm

If you remove all the wires from the alternator the problem will go away, you need a new alternator as the internal diodes have gone short & 12 volts is now being backfed to ign. thats why the lights on with the ign off (have had the same problem in the past)

Title: Re: So let's see you solve THIS one!!
Post by Spannerdemon on Jun 26^th, 2006, 9:12pm

Just returned from a weekend caravan break. We'll sort this MR out later this week.
It's been pushed into a dingy, wet and oily corner where it can sulk in the rain, until it learns that it shouldn't mess with Spanners!!
I will update later, when I know the reason.

Title: Re: So let's see you solve THIS one!!
Post by Spannerdemon on Jul 5^th, 2006, 7:57pm

I promised to update you on the problem with my wife's Toyota MR2 G Limited.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g25/xtr42gpnd/ToyotaNoPlate.jpg

Eventually took it to our friendly auto-electrician in Newton Abbot. He has eventually found that despite the ignition being turned off, a quite major section of the wiring loom was still live between the battery which is under the bonnet, and the engine bay which is behind the seats.

The alternator was NOT the problem. Neither was the ignition switch defective. There was a section of the loom that had fused together because her alarm system (Cat1, Meta Thatcham Approved), which has been on the car for the last two years, was clearly fitted by an idiot!

Basically, wires had been soldered together, and in doing the soldering, the alarm fitter has touched other wiring with the soldering iron, which had completely burned through the insulation of those wires.

Somewhere along her last journey, vibration etc has touched these wires together, and the whole lot has come within xxxxx of catching fire!!! :o

She's now getting it sorted out. So much for professionally fitted systems. We will be writing to Meta once we have his report, also to the firm that fitted it, as they are licensed to do this BY Meta.

Anyway. a very difficult one to sort out. Thanks to all of you who tried to help her. She has become so demoralised, that she is actually now GIVING the car to her daughter, once it's been fixed, newly MOT'd and serviced. Shame, as it's an absolute beauty!

Title: Re: So let's see you solve THIS one!!
Post by Dave on Jul 6^th, 2006, 9:15am

Glad you got it sorted, shame its going as it looks like a fun car :)

Title: Re: So let's see you solve THIS one!!
Post by Spannerdemon on Jul 6^th, 2006, 8:46pm

I'm sure her Daughter will love it. It's a super car to drive, and these things go like split ***T!
Really, VERY powerful. I'll miss driving it.

:) Cheers Dave.