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General >> Problems >> Dancing Clocks
(Message started by: steve on Dec 27th, 2004, 1:01pm)

Title: Dancing Clocks
Post by steve on Dec 27th, 2004, 1:01pm
Hello Everyone
I have a problem with Dancing Clocks on start up (2.5TD)this happens mainly when starting from cold, seems OK when warmed up, I have read on this site some time ago a similier problem can anyone give any advice on what the problem is and how to cure it ?

Best Regards Steve........

Title: Re: Dancing Clocks
Post by Vulcan on Dec 27th, 2004, 1:05pm
This is a common thing on the Scorp when you have a duff battery, the clocks flick rightover when you turn it on.
Possibly a bad cell on the battery, have it checked out. Have you checked the voltage before and after starting the engine? There was a long thread where people posted their before and after voltage readings a while back.
I can't remember the exact way to get these readings from the dash computer but I'm sure some knowledgeable person will fill in the blanks.

hth

George

Title: Re: Dancing Clocks
Post by wumpster on Dec 27th, 2004, 2:02pm
to check batt volt just press and hold trip reset button in it will beep and then scroll untill you see batt this will give you the reading ;)

Title: Re: Dancing Clocks
Post by Paul B on Dec 27th, 2004, 6:01pm

on 12/27/04 at 13:05:38, Vulcan wrote:
There was a long thread where people posted their before and after voltage readings a while back.



Hmm... I can't remember now... what was the outcome (if any) of this survey?  :-/

Title: Re: Dancing Clocks
Post by JohnJ on Dec 27th, 2004, 9:22pm
I think we worked out that a good battery was 13.7 to 14 volts or something when started and somepeople had 11 volts when engine was off but I dont what was done with the results of that survey.

JJ

Title: Re: Dancing Clocks
Post by Paul B on Dec 28th, 2004, 8:57am
Oh, ok.
What about batteries from certain outlets?

I bought a Halfords calcium (expensive) one. After 6 months af aggro with it, I finally took it back. They tested it, and sure enough it was a dud. They replaced it no problem but 3 months later the 'new' one was the same.  >:( This time, their testing machine thing said "charge battery" (they wouldn't replace it).

The sprat doing the testing did come up with a great idea though.... "Its got to be your alternator mate".  Yeah, thanks for that! I wouldn't mind but it had cost me 150quid and a skinned knuckle only a fortnight earlier replacing the alternator!  >:(

I'm going to take it back again today or tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll find someone who knows how to use the testing gadget properly.  ::)

Anyway, what I'm saying is, I still have battery problems. My car eats them for no apparent reason. The battery on my mobile phone lasts longer than the car one!

Title: Re: Dancing Clocks
Post by JohnJ on Dec 28th, 2004, 9:04am
It is possible for a alternater to distroy the battery, overcharge and cause damage,

But you  ::) did say you replaced that so I'm not going to be a sprat, but I will mention the silly things like glovebox light and boot light staying on, becuse the charging light should show if you have a alternator problem. do the in dash check and look at the voltage, started and engine off.

JJ ;D

Title: Re: Dancing Clocks
Post by JohnJ on Dec 28th, 2004, 9:09am
Also I work in a dialysis clinic repairing the dialysis machines, and have acces to RO water, Reverse Osmosis, and use this in the battery. it is free from everything eccept hydrogen and oxygen ;D. it is complete H2O. and the battery is happy to have it, the battery is in over 2 years.




Title: Re: Dancing Clocks
Post by Paul B on Dec 28th, 2004, 9:16am
'ello John.

As you say, the charge light should show alternator problem but thats fine. Made a special effort with the connections when fitting the alternator by the way. They're nice and clean 'n' tight.

Boot light is easy to check with the rear seat down - that turns off ok.
Glovebox is more tricky (and I thought that was definitely the problem at first) but I've even removed the bulb to make sure.

And aren't things supposed to all switch off after about 20 minutes if left on?  ???

Title: Re: Dancing Clocks
Post by Scorpioen84 on Dec 28th, 2004, 9:27am
Cars and current is a BIG issue..! :o

2weeks ago my 1000meter lights (Ekstra-lights) stopped working, and i controlled the power of my Subwoofer amplifier with the Light switch...  :o ??? :o ??? :P hehe... That was a hard one to figure out......

Do you know anyone with a Amperemeter.? Check if it is a small current running in the wiering by the +, when engine ang coupelights are off... May be a Earth Fault somewhere in the wiering....... Sounds like it....

Batt voltage Engine off = 11.0-12.0v
Batt voltage engine on = 13.4-14.2v '
Depending on how mutch heat and light you turn on... All lights and heat on gives me 13.2v and everything of i can get upto 14.2v.

Title: Re: Dancing Clocks
Post by Scorpioen84 on Dec 28th, 2004, 9:32am
Its a 20min delay reley whitsh turns everything off. But ofcourse that can fail to...

Only the Ultima BIP when holding tripp button...

Anything not working in youre Scorp.?
Mounted anything youself in youre Scorp.?

Title: Re: Dancing Clocks
Post by Paul B on Dec 28th, 2004, 9:36am
All standard equipment and all looks fine.
I guess I'm going to have to get more technical with it  ;D

Title: Re: Dancing Clocks
Post by steve on Dec 28th, 2004, 10:58am
Well Gents  Thanks for such a great responce to my dancing clocks problem, Ive been out to the car and checked the trip read out "which by the way I did not know existed"  the battery readings were as follows...

Car stopped 12.1  Running 14.1  now does this mean my battery is OK ?  cos if it does then I have another problem causing DANCING CLOCKS any further Ideas ? one further thing I should have mentioned the battery indicator comes on when car is started up and will only go off when revs are over 10k !!!
Thanks Steve.........  ???

Title: Re: Dancing Clocks
Post by johnv on Dec 28th, 2004, 11:07am
I am so sorry I can't help with the Technical stuff, I only wish I could.
But I ask the question, why do people buy battries from fast fit outlets, when you can get a geniune FORD one for £76.
This would be the correct one as fitted to the car when it left the factory.
Rated at 60 amp per hour and the correct size.
Like I said I alway fit geniune Ford replacement parts that includes everything.
In the past I have had battries from Fast Fit people for my transit vans and the amount that where faulty or only last two years or so are beyond belief.
All my cars have genuine Ford batteries and they are all going strong even on a very cold frosty morning.
By the way Madscorpioman on Ebay had a scorpio battery which he put a first bid price of £4.95 but no one bid. I think the trouble is, his courier would not delivery it you would have to go to Rochester.

Title: Re: Dancing Clocks
Post by steve on Dec 28th, 2004, 11:10am
Thanks John  I think a new FORD battery will be my next move !!

Steve

Title: Re: Dancing Clocks
Post by Paul B on Dec 28th, 2004, 11:11am

on 12/28/04 at 11:07:59, johnv wrote:
...... I ask the question, why do people buy battries from fast fit outlets, when you can get a geniune FORD one for £76.....


Convenience. That's all.

Title: Re: Dancing Clocks
Post by johnv on Dec 28th, 2004, 2:28pm
when I obtained my last scorpio cosworth last june I think. it had a battery that was not a ford but a good make.
It was 60 amps and the correct lenght and width but it was about 2 inches taller.
So the rain cover was in place but it would not go down far enought to secure as it should. (In other words, it was just resting there.)
See what I mean about why not have a geniune Ford. so I replaced this at a cost of £76 and this was from a Ford Main Dealer.
If anyone lives close to Coventry the old battery can be had. if you maybe want a battery for another vehicle. It is fairly new and it such a pity that its two inches taller than the correct Ford.

Title: Re: Dancing Clocks
Post by nadaman on Dec 29th, 2004, 3:35pm

on 12/28/04 at 11:07:59, johnv wrote:
why do people buy battries from fast fit outlets, when you can get a geniune FORD one for £76.

cos they are cheaper

paul



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