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        General >> Problems >> Instruments out - trip reset on engine start
        
(Message started by: johnb on Jan 23^rd, 2005, 10:48am)

Title: Instruments out - trip reset on engine start
Post by johnb on Jan 23^rd, 2005, 10:48am

Most (but not every) times I've started my 2.3 Ultima over recent days, it's been slightly hesitant, and, when the engine is going and revs settle to idle, the speedo and rev counter dials go to max andd the fuel gauge goes to min, and the digital displays go out. Everything then goes back to normal, but the trip displays have reset. Seems to me I have an increasing problem with the alternator, voltage regulator or starter.

Title: Re: Instruments out - trip reset on engine start
Post by km449 on Jan 23^rd, 2005, 11:18am

I had a similar problem a month or so ago. Started car (2.3 Ultima), needles went to max, computer reset itself to zero and metric, although needles immediately settled to normal and car drove fine. I feared the worst though!
Various members here suggested battery was on way out (apparently the start of colder mornings coupled with the elec demands of a fully loaded ultima makes this a common problem), changed battery and problem solved!
Hasn't happened since.
Just a thought

Title: Re: Instruments out - trip reset on engine start
Post by Eddie on Jan 24^th, 2005, 12:18pm

JohnB,Try the battery voltage test.

Ignition on,press and hold the trip button for 10 secs.
When the display changes release and press the button until the battery voltage is diplayed,I think its the last one in the cycle.

Post the result here and someone will tell you if it is ok.

There is a write up on the main site regarding this,

eddie

Title: Re: Instruments out - trip reset on engine start
Post by johnb on Jan 24^th, 2005, 6:46pm

Battery flat this morning. Got a jump start. Replaced battery (which was original fit). Instruments seem to be behaving. With old battery, was reading 13.8V at panel durining running without lights etc. With new battery now reading 14.1.

Still not convinced battery change is cure, or just hiding symptoms. Sneaking suspiicion it's the voltage regulator.

Got battery from Halfords, and paid £5 for them to fit, which was a bargain since it took 30 minutes in a freezing car park.

Title: Re: Instruments out - trip reset on engine start
Post by ren on Jan 24^th, 2005, 9:11pm

HI

Changed my battery last Nov
had my alternator changed last week
and all it needed was the connections tightening
so would suggest if you can, test your alt,

Ren

Title: Re: Instruments out - trip reset on engine start
Post by Geoff_W on Jan 24^th, 2005, 10:52pm

John B

How old is your scorp? If it was the original battery you have done pretty well to make it last this long.

It may well be a charging circuit, but from the sound of things old age also had its part to play.

The 14.1 volts is an indicator of how much charge the battery is accepting so hopefully you may find that things are sorted.

Good luck

Geoff

On the mk3 you knew that things were starting to be a bit dodgy if the ABS light started to glow and the radio lost tune.

Title: Re: Instruments out - trip reset on engine start
Post by johnb on Jan 25^th, 2005, 10:33am

Geoff_W,

It's S reg, but built in Oct 97. Battery was original fit. The car has been pretty good electrically, all I've ever changed before is an ignition coil and some instrument bulbs, and that's in 113K miles. Mind you, it gets an easy life, because nearly all of my journeys are 24 miles each way to work, driven at moderate speeds.

The second time I started it after the new battery, the rev counter and speedo flicked to full deflection but the trips din't reset, as soon as the panel lit up and before the starter engaged. Since then, it's behaved as advertised.

Title: Re: Instruments out - trip reset on engine start
Post by Geoff_W on Jan 25^th, 2005, 12:56pm

John,

7-8 years on an original battery is pretty good going, hopefully your new one will also give good service.

Happy motoring!

Geoff

Title: Re: Instruments out - trip reset on engine start
Post by richardcoles on Feb 15^th, 2005, 10:11am

Gentlemen,

I had a similar problem and noticed that every time I started the engine the instrument cluster reset itself, which was inconvenient as I was checking the MPG. After reading the web site one chap reported that a battery caused this, which was on its way out. So the next time I was in Halfords I bought new battery and also some magic battery tablets, which claimed to rejuvenate old batteries. The bottom line is do not waste your money on these tablets.

Changed the battery even though it was still starting the car. The result was that the instrument cluster does not now reset itself.

Many thanks the info.

Regards Richard.

Title: Re: Instruments out - trip reset on engine start
Post by admin on Feb 15^th, 2005, 11:17am

Read the site chaps....

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

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

http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/index2.htm

Title: Re: Instruments out - trip reset on engine start
Post by admin on Feb 15^th, 2005, 11:25am

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