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General >> Problems >> Instrument Dials
(Message started by: madpenfold on Jan 12th, 2005, 3:46pm)

Title: Instrument Dials
Post by madpenfold on Jan 12th, 2005, 3:46pm
Okay - car runs nicely

I get in it today.. Ignition turn on - car at idle all instruments read including digital ones. apply some revs and the digits go out and the orange dials go to zero, let it go back to idle and its all ok....

So why when I apply revs does everything set to zero or go out (digits).. car drives, lights work and radio works,,,,,, so no loss of power.

Its almost like its in reset mode?

help!! long journey ahead!

Chris
chris@hctechnologies.co.uk

Title: Re: Instrument Dials
Post by Snoopy on Jan 12th, 2005, 4:14pm
It sounds as though the battery is failing and the alternator is not pushing out any current.. but its all very strange behaviour...... Has the car had a soaking recently and have you got a battery cover fitted.. Been through any floods etc... the information you have posted iis not sufficient to help  .. we need more info.....


Title: Re: Instrument Dials
Post by madpenfold on Jan 12th, 2005, 4:22pm
Nope the car has not received a soaking lately - worked alright this morning

Battery cover ohhmmmm nope did not know there was one.... worked alright..... feeding lights etc etc which I would guess would fail the battery

nothing seems to be draining the battery when I put the fot on accelerator.. and its only when i go above 1krpm (just above idle) that i get the problem

Should I go and get new battery?

there appears to be no fluid or corrosion on battery

Chris

Title: Re: Instrument Dials
Post by Snoopy on Jan 12th, 2005, 4:43pm
If you haven't got a battery cover then this is a must... only about £8.00 from Fords..FINIS 1011540  for a battery cover   . ( See the main page for info   http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/ )Does sound like water in electrics though...... Very strange... No don't go out and get a new battery yet there is more to this than meets the eye...

Electrics   Others will tell you behave very strangely on these vehicles.... Have you tried a system reset?

Disconect the battery for about 30 mins and then reconnect.... see what happens then...  

Title: Re: Instrument Dials
Post by madpenfold on Jan 12th, 2005, 9:32pm
Sorry - on looking it does have a one

when I wrote the mail I had been looking at my wifes car and immediately thought of that

Shall check connections tomorrow and reset battery

Thanks
chris

Title: Re: Instrument Dials
Post by madpenfold on Jan 14th, 2005, 9:32am
Tried releasing battery for over an hour...

Still no joy..

I did notice a fuse between live on battery and somewhere else which I replaced as it looked dodgy


Help!

Title: Re: Instrument Dials
Post by madpenfold on Jan 14th, 2005, 10:15am
Just let the car sit at idel for 30 mins - nothing changes

Checked the battery (using the instrument diagnostics.....)

at idle its +15 fluctuating quickly between 15 and occassionally 16

Chris...can you tell cars are not my thing... glad I am an MS guru!

Title: Re: Instrument Dials
Post by Dave on Jan 14th, 2005, 11:26am
Hmmm. Is it possible that the alternator is putting out too much charge and the instruments are all going off to protect themselves and their circuits from damage?

Is 15-16 volts not a bit high? I could be wrong but I thought it was meant to be more like 14-14.5 volts with engine running. I got a new multimeter for Christmas and have so far checked a 1966 Morris Minor (with alternator), and a 1998 Mitsubishi Carisma and they were both within the range of 14-14.5 volts with engine running. Sommat to check maybe?

Cheers

Title: Re: Instrument Dials
Post by VMAN on Jan 14th, 2005, 12:39pm
Dave may have a point. The voltage regulator may have gone bust in the alternator.  when you switch on lights and rev the car do the lights get noticably brighter which would indicate that the voltage out of the alternator is not getting regulated.

John

Title: Re: Instrument Dials
Post by madpenfold on Jan 14th, 2005, 12:56pm
Okay Lights do get brighter

So what have I got to do - get a new Alternator?

Have no meter and would not necessarily know how to use one ... oh please give me a computer I know them.....

I tool reading off instrument panel and it never drops below 15

thanks for ideas so far

Chris

Title: Re: Instrument Dials
Post by VMAN on Jan 14th, 2005, 1:05pm
Hi Cris You could try to disconnect the alternator and see if the symtom go away if it does then you may have to get alternator repaired or replaced.
(Before you fork out the money get the fault confirmed by an auto electrician)
John.

Title: Re: Instrument Dials
Post by madpenfold on Jan 14th, 2005, 1:23pm
Okay

I now need to identify the alternator and then know where to disconnect

for how long as well?

Chris

Title: Re: Instrument Dials
Post by VMAN on Jan 14th, 2005, 1:46pm
check out http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/alternatorer.htm for details.
John

Title: Re: Instrument Dials
Post by madpenfold on Jan 14th, 2005, 3:51pm
Okay happy using that link to find the alternator ... but what do I disconnect as advised to see if its that

Are there some wires?

Chris

Title: Re: Instrument Dials
Post by Snoopy on Jan 14th, 2005, 4:32pm
If you just want to see it the car runs better without the alternator then just take the belt off its a really easy thing to do and run the engine without it and see if the problem still exists... If it cures it then you know its the alternator at fault.. but you wont have any power steering so would not advise driving the car .. Running stationary is fine.....

About 1/2 way down the page it details removing the electrical connections from the alternator......


What engine IS  it ......??????


Title: Re: Instrument Dials
Post by madpenfold on Jan 14th, 2005, 8:24pm
Its a 2.3 P reg estate

I guess thats DOHC?

Title: Re: Instrument Dials
Post by Dave on Jan 14th, 2005, 8:43pm
Tis indeed.

Have a look at

http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/tech2_3.htm

Also you may find this interesting/useful

http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/engdata2.3.htm

Cheers

Title: Re: Instrument Dials
Post by madpenfold on Jan 18th, 2005, 7:16pm
Thanks for everyones tests

It was the alternator - all fitted and car working well again.

when mechanic came and I told him of tests I had done at advice of here, he checked the voltage and found it far too hire. Replaced alternator and all is ok

So thanks again all...

Chris/Penfold

Title: Re: Instrument Dials
Post by VMAN on Jan 18th, 2005, 7:20pm
Pleased to hear you've resolved the problem.  I hope you don't see to many more problems.

John



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