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        General >> Problems >> Dashboard display
        
(Message started by: Fitzy on Apr 5^th, 2004, 12:39am)

Title: Dashboard display
Post by Fitzy on Apr 5^th, 2004, 12:39am

Hi Guys

need some advice, over the last couple of days when i have started the car after leaving it parked overnight as soon as i've started the speedo and rev counter needles go all the way round then back to the rest position trip meter resets to zero and trip computer reverts to kmh, have fitted brand new battery two weeks ago does anyone know what this means?

Secondly should the Scorpio have a radio interferance surpressor fitted as i can't get a good reception on am stations/

Any ideas!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fitzy ??? ??? ???

Title: Re: Dashboard display
Post by Eric_R on Apr 5^th, 2004, 12:51am

Fitzy,
You haven't looked at the FAQ page http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/topfaq.htm which will tell you that this is a symptom of a failing battery - get your battery discharge-tested.
Re the interference, can't think why you want to use AM, but never mind. What sort of interference do you get? Is it clicking in time with the engine rpm, in which case it could be ignition wires on the way out, or his it a high-pitched whine, which could be the alternator. Or it could be a bad earth to the radio or to the aerial, or it could be that the battery is packing up.

Title: Re: Dashboard display
Post by Fitzy on Apr 5^th, 2004, 1:30am

I only fitted a new heavy duty battery about two weeks ago but i'll get the electrics tested a.s.a.p and the alternator.

The interferance is not a tapping sound but it does rise and fall with the engune rpm's.

Could i be right in assuming that the needles rising then falling and the radio interferance could point to a failing alternator!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Btw i listen to talk sport on am for the footy on saturdays.

P.S What should the voltage be when the engines running car is 2.3 P reg auto lpg converted.

Fitzy ??? ??? ???

Title: Re: Dashboard display
Post by allante on Apr 5^th, 2004, 2:10am

Usually 13.8 volts

Title: Re: Dashboard display
Post by Eric_R on Apr 5^th, 2004, 11:02am

Fitzy,
The alternator is a tricky beast. Sometimes it will charge the battery perfectly well, but then drain the battery overnight because the diode pack is faulty. During the night, or just as you start the car the system voltage drops below 10v, and that's when some of the electronic modules reset themselves - hence the needles on the instruments flicking round. The trip computer and climate control module can also reset to default, but not always because it depends what the system voltage dropped to.
If your battery is new then suspect the alternator. You'll need to get that checked. The charge rate will probably be okay, but I suspect that it's shorting the battery to earth and you need to get the static battery load checked - should be no more than .3 amp with the car closed and locked.
BTW you should have checked that the battery terminals are nice and clean and bright and the terminals tight, yes?

Title: Re: Dashboard display
Post by Eddie on Apr 5^th, 2004, 3:22pm

Regarding the radio interference-check your plugs.They should be resistive types-with an 'R' in the type number.

Fitting non resistive plugs results in radio interference.

eddie

Title: Re: Dashboard display
Post by Fitzy on Apr 5^th, 2004, 6:42pm

I checked the voltage using the onboard self diagnostics and the voltage with everything turned on and engine running was reading about 13v's give or take 0.5 v even when i revved it a little it stayed the same, but when just idling with nothing switched on reading was 13.8 v's.

Does this mean alternator is on its way out?

Fitzy ??? ??? ???

Title: Re: Dashboard display
Post by Alan on Apr 8^th, 2004, 1:18am

Hi there

If you are getting 13.8v that sounds about right.
But DO check that all connections on the altinator and battery tight and clean.

Alan

Title: Re: Dashboard display
Post by Paul B on Apr 8^th, 2004, 6:55am

on 04/05/04 at 11:02:50, Eric_R wrote:

The alternator is a tricky beast. Sometimes it will charge the battery perfectly well, but then drain the battery overnight because the diode pack is faulty.

This business about the diode pack... is that a part inside the alternator which could be replaced? Or would it mean getting a whole new unit?
I ask cos I have the same trouble, and its beginning to get on me Bristols!

Paul

Title: Re: Dashboard display
Post by Fitzy on Apr 8^th, 2004, 12:05pm

had alternator checked by Halfords and they said it was charging ok even when under load with everything turned on still chucked out 13.8 v, but they did tell me to do a discharge test in case there's anything drwing current from the battery when it is parked up.

To do this i was told to disconnect one battery terminal and connect meter (set to read amps) between the lose cables and the blank battery terminal and base reading should be about 0.5, any hire and that something is draining the battery. Is this the correct way of testing or does anyone else know a different or better way of doing this, STN for example you seem to be the man to talk to about all that is the scorpio or maybe Admin?

Fitzy ??? ??? ???

Title: Re: Dashboard display
Post by allante on Apr 8^th, 2004, 1:33pm

Paul
The diodes, which are basically a 'one way valve' for current and are used to rectify the AC current from the alternator into a DC current for the battery can go leaky, (as in current, not gunge!) and allow current to leak backwards through them, can be replaced if you find someone who repairs them. I had the diode pack replaced on a Yank Chrysler by a local guy, didnt think he would be able to with it being a yank but they were an ordinary ac delco thing so he did it. took my alternator to him, picked it up two hours later, twenty quid...sorted!

Andy

Title: Re: Dashboard display
Post by Paul B on Apr 8^th, 2004, 6:35pm

Twenty squid? That sounds ok don't it. Certainly better than the cost of a new unit.
Thanks for explaining Andy, I'll get mine checked as soon as I get time ((will I ever?!))

Paul

Title: Re: Dashboard display
Post by ron_c on Apr 8^th, 2004, 7:00pm

Hi Fitzy,

It all sounds complicated now but common sense is to go back to square one. why did you change the battery and are you absolutely sure that the new one is any good.

I got my scorpio only a few weeks ago and had the same problem. It had apparently got a new battery fitted (a Lucas no less). Inspired and guided by the sages on this site I replaced it with the 4 year old one of my poor old granny and all is now well, ....apart from gearbox troubles, braking problems, fuel consumption and a wife who keeps telling me to dump it!

Seriously, the simplest test would be to check/change the battery and then look for nasties.

Good luck,

Ron.

Title: Re: Dashboard display
Post by allante on Apr 9^th, 2004, 6:50am

but...but...your poor granny! :'( , what about her pacemaker??? what you done? plugged her into the mains?? ;D

Title: Re: Dashboard display
Post by ron_c on Apr 9^th, 2004, 4:12pm

Alas my poor granny is no more. She suffered a vicious attack by a white van and survived only for a few weeks.
I like to think that she is happily reincarnated as a baked bean tin or somthing like that but with her luck it's probably a lager can...(SOB!)

P.S

Anyone fancy a set of nice 5 stud alloys?

Title: Re: Dashboard display
Post by ron_c on Apr 9^th, 2004, 7:48pm

Hi (again) Fitzy,

Sorry, fogot all about your problem. another thought before you start spending money..... bad earthing!
It might be worth doing a physical check on the main earth (chassis ) connections. i.e. from the battery to chassis and engine to chassis. These can cause all sorts of silly problems, especially with an overeducated control system like the Scorp's. They can even cause radio interference, especially on a.m. Unfortunately, the only way to check them is to take them apart, clean them and tighten them up again. Tedious but cheap.

Regards,

Ron.

Title: Re: Dashboard display
Post by Fitzy on Apr 13^th, 2004, 8:52pm

Hi Guys

Finally managed to find out what was draining the power from my battery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The glove box light.................even though it was only a 4watt bulb over time it gradually drained the battery, glove box wasn't closing enough to turn the light off don't know if this is a common problem, but since i removed the bulb car has started first time every time.

so if you've got similar problem check the glove box light or any other small bulbs no matter how small they are.

Fitzy ;) ;) ;)

Title: Re: Dashboard display
Post by The_Jailer on Apr 22^nd, 2004, 2:18pm

I've got the same problem with the instruments resetting but worse! The speedo needle wanged all the way round and jammed itself behind the bottom of the panel trim. It took a lot of banging and leavering to get it free.

I also had my battery checked and they say it is good. I'm going to get it changed anyway to see if that fixes it. I'll let you know how I get on.

Title: Re: Dashboard display
Post by cathouse on Apr 22^nd, 2004, 6:27pm

Hi
I seem to remember writing in some time ago about my glove box light staying on.
for some weird reason the switch was placed at the top of the opening so it doesn't go off till the flap is completly shut, and with mine , not even then ???
there was a space of about a quarter inch between the button and the flap when shut.
I fixed three layers of doublesided foam tape on the flap before the light went out and to check that I used a short length of fibre optic from an old xmas tree light.
if you do it at night, lay the fibre on the flap at the top and shut it, you can see the light from the end of the fibre.
other than that you have to climb in the glovebox and close the flap after you ;D ;D ;D ;D

hope this helps someone
cheers
roy

Title: Re: Dashboard display
Post by scorpi on May 4^th, 2004, 8:38am

Hi guys,

Have the same problem.
Needles sometimes go wild when starting my baby.
Discoverd also the everburning light in the glovebox.
The easiest way to discover the light burns al the time is to open the glovebox and touch the bulb with youre fingers should be could at first then gets hot.
Another way is to look with a mirror.
Kneel down at passenger site and hold the mirror behind the console looking up.
Worked for me. 8)

But still have the Needle problem :-/
Maybe she's just happy to see me

Title: Re: Dashboard display
Post by JohnJ on May 4^th, 2004, 8:46am

Or you could empty the box and put your camcorder in and record..worked for me ;)

JJ

Title: Re: Dashboard display
Post by music_master on May 4^th, 2004, 9:16pm

how much for the alloys ron c