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        General >> Problems >> Instruments going nuts, odometer gets reset
        
(Message started by: madkiss on Sep 23^rd, 2004, 8:32pm)

Title: Instruments going nuts, odometer gets reset
Post by madkiss on Sep 23^rd, 2004, 8:32pm

Hil folks,

again a problem with my Ford Scorpio from early '97: It got a new clutch just some days ago, and in order to do that, the car repair guy to whom I brought the car took the battery off the car. Quite a strange effect can be seen now: If you start the engine, first, all instruments (RPM display, tachometer) flip to the right until the end of the display for a second, then immediately switch back and the odometer (the tool that counts the distance between a tank stop and another one, I don't know the correct english term, sorry) gets reset. This is, if not a dangerous, then at least a very annoying effect. Does somebody haven an idea about what could be wrong with the car?

Thank you in advance!

Title: Re: Instruments going nuts, odometer gets reset
Post by phuturephantasy on Sep 23^rd, 2004, 9:05pm

The instruments always do this the first time after having a a battery disconnected but if they continue to do so after a few starts it points to a problem with the battery or possibly the alternator.
Mine always does this once whenever I disconnect the battery or remove certain fuses but only the once.
Check the battery first mate.

Title: Re: Instruments going nuts, odometer gets reset
Post by craig on Sep 24^th, 2004, 7:00am

yep sound like a new battery is needed there mate,classic first signs of failure,also regarding the alternator,have you tried checking the voltage via the selt test on the instrument cluster ?

regards

craig..

Title: Re: Instruments going nuts, odometer gets reset
Post by Nodge on Sep 24^th, 2004, 9:29am

Hi Craig,

Could you explain how you test the voltage from the instrument cluster?

I sometimes get similar problems with the dials flipping all the way to the right and the tripometer resetting. I'm aware this could be down to a battery problem but my Scorp doesn't get driven much and I've put it down to the battery just needing a boost to charge it up.

Thanks,
Nodge

Title: Re: Instruments going nuts, odometer gets reset
Post by scorpio_man on Sep 24^th, 2004, 10:29am

hi there

have a read of....
http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/instreset.htm

Title: Re: Instruments going nuts, odometer gets reset
Post by madkiss on Sep 24^th, 2004, 7:56pm

am I right in assuming that after having put the Instruments into this diagnostic mode and after having powered off the motor again, with next start everything should be the normal way again?

Title: Re: Instruments going nuts, odometer gets reset
Post by Paul B on Sep 24^th, 2004, 8:04pm

I recently sorted mine out after having these problems.
Even after having a new battery and alternator my needles were flicking, etc.
In the end I went back to Halfords (where the battery came from) to get things tested.
Their fancy gadget can tell you exactly what's wrong. In my case it said "Replace Battery".
Since doing so, all is well.
So... don't live with it. Get tested and get sorted. :)

Title: Re: Instruments going nuts, odometer gets reset
Post by ron_c on Sep 25^th, 2004, 7:09pm

Just a thought...

it sounds like battery failure but it didn't start until the cluch was changed.

Did he refit YOUR battery????

There are lots of earthing bits that could have been disturbed when the engine is moved around and the gearbox, starter etc are removed/refitted. Could something have been replaced in the wrong place??

How much do you trust your service man?

Otherwise take PaulB's advice - a new battery is a lot cheaper than some of the options which may be offered.

Good luck,

Ron.

Title: Re: Instruments going nuts, odometer gets reset
Post by Richard on Sep 25^th, 2004, 7:34pm

Why remove the battery ?, Why not just disconnect the earth ?. Sounds a bit fishy to me.

Title: Re: Instruments going nuts, odometer gets reset
Post by ron_c on Sep 28^th, 2004, 9:02pm

It does a bit???.

Maybe it's just a misleading use of words but it does raise a few questions.

Ron.

Title: Re: Instruments going nuts, odometer gets reset
Post by TURBOTAM on Sep 28^th, 2004, 10:29pm

Definately sounds like a bad connection or a faulty battery. Don't see why changing the clutch would cause this problem so I would suggest checking the terminals and the connections to the battery. Possibly you have just been unlucky and the battery was on it's way out along with your clutch! :(
Tam