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        General >> Problems >> Totally Dead, any suggestions would be appreciated
        
(Message started by: Nikami on Dec 5^th, 2005, 7:58pm)

Title: Totally Dead, any suggestions would be appreciated
Post by Nikami on Dec 5^th, 2005, 7:58pm

Hi to anyone that might be able to help

I am a single mum with small amount of car knowledge. I have a scorpio 2.9 ultima estate 95. A few weeks ago, i came out to start car, battery was complete flat, not even a click. jump started it and it was ok. Bought a new battery, everythings been fine for the last few weeks. but last week it did the same, no ignition lights, no clicking when trying to start ... completely dead, but this time it will not jump start. I have checked all the fuses/battery leads etc, but dont know where to start looking. Any ideas would be really appreciated

Thanks

Title: Re: Totally Dead, any suggestions would be appreci
Post by Simmo on Dec 5^th, 2005, 9:12pm

Try looking here http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/faultfinds.htm for starters. If you post your location there may be a knowledgeable owner nearby who would be prepared to help.

Title: Re: Totally Dead, any suggestions would be appreci
Post by Octavian_P on Dec 5^th, 2005, 9:37pm

Hello ! It seems that there's an electrical problem at you car. From what you say it could be a short circuit somewhere. Or the alternator has damaged it's diode pack.

Does your car have the battery cover fitted ? is there signs of corosion or dirt in the fuse boxes ? The battery is competly flat ? Doest the red led in the middle top of the dashboard blinks ???

Title: Re: Totally Dead, any suggestions would be appreci
Post by Nikami on Dec 6^th, 2005, 2:27am

The battery cover is fitted and no signs of corrosion around terminal leads or fuse boxes, (ive checked every fuse but could it be one of the relays?) but I did have a bit of water get in under the glove box (once) not a real leak, but i did see it once. The battery is completely flat, no dash lights, no central locking etc and my car doesnt have the red led light fitted, must have been removed at one time.

I was thinking that it could be the alternator, but there was no flattening of the battery, went from totally fine to completely dead overnight, is that normal ?

Thank you for replying

Title: Re: Totally Dead, any suggestions would be appreci
Post by hepburn on Dec 6^th, 2005, 3:14am

If the alternator died then the battery could have gone flat over a few days of occasional driving, especially in traffic with the lights on. Did you happen to notice if the lights were running dimmer than usual? If not I'd say your alternator is ok and fault lies elsewhere. Sometimes batteries will just die. A decent battery shop should be able to test your battery and probably the load on it.

I'd also double check those battery connections as I once had a metro that refused to start when jumped with a bigger car. Turned out the connections appeared to be tight but in fact weren't. Undoing them, remaking the connections, and then jumping sorted out the problem.

Title: Re: Totally Dead, any suggestions would be appreci
Post by Nikami on Dec 6^th, 2005, 10:50am

Thanks for the reply, but the battery didnt flatten slowly, I had full power that night, and zero in the morning. I have also checked/tightened the leads on the battery and it is a brand new battery. I undid one of the earth leads aswell where it meets the body of the car, cleaned with a bit of sandpaper and did back up, couldnt get to the rest without getting under the car (and it was pouring :P)

Title: Re: Totally Dead, any suggestions would be appreci
Post by Highlander on Dec 6^th, 2005, 12:36pm

There was a post recently about this same problem, it was something with the battery drain protection or relays i think? Will have a look later unless anyone remembers.
Might have been on the mailing list??

Title: Re: Totally Dead, any suggestions would be appreci
Post by Wafoo on Dec 6^th, 2005, 7:32pm

Sounds like a monster short somewhere,can you get hold of a ammeter to see what the current is going througth the earth lead?

Title: Re: Totally Dead, any suggestions would be appreci
Post by Highlander on Dec 7^th, 2005, 1:37am

P.s. glove box/boot light going out ok?
cigarette lighters?
any accessories connected or extra wiring been installed for anything?

Title: Re: Totally Dead, any suggestions would be appreci
Post by mr._floppy on Dec 7^th, 2005, 10:31am

Summat's using a massive current , Is it possible for the seat heaters to be on with no key in the ignition? I've heard other posters have probs with lights staying on when the key's removed.

Title: Re: Totally Dead, any suggestions would be appreci
Post by howiedintheplace on Dec 7^th, 2005, 10:59am

Yeah does look like something is pulling alot of current.
But don't rule the battery out just because it's new, still check it. Just because it's new don't mean it's good ;)

Title: Re: Totally Dead, any suggestions would be appreci
Post by Nikami on Dec 7^th, 2005, 12:52pm

on 12/07/05 at 01:37:27, Highlander wrote:

P.s. glove box/boot light going out ok?
cigarette lighters?
any accessories connected or extra wiring been installed for anything?

The boot light does go out, but (before) on the dash the warning light for the back door was constantly on. There is nothing else I can think of, I also dont have heated seats. This is going to need somebody to come and look at it isnt it? :(

I also had problems before with the gear selector, when putting it into park, it looked like it was in, but i had to push it forward again otherwise an alarm (like the lights on) went off when i got out of the car. I have been making sure everytime now tho

Title: Re: Totally Dead, any suggestions would be appreci
Post by Simmo on Dec 7^th, 2005, 1:03pm

Nickami, this seems to point to a problem with the 'warning' system surely. Regretfully my knowledge is limited but hopefully one of the 'senior'guys may be able to help.

Title: Re: Totally Dead, any suggestions would be appreci
Post by Highlander on Dec 7^th, 2005, 1:08pm

Mine does that with the gear selector, i have to give it a wee nudge sometimes otherwise the alarm sounds to say its not in park when the door opens.
Does your alarm work ok?
Might be worth looking at the back door thing again just in case thats what it is.

P.s. where abouts are you?

Title: Re: Totally Dead, any suggestions would be appreci
Post by Octavian_P on Dec 7^th, 2005, 5:43pm

on 12/07/05 at 12:52:52, Nikami wrote:

on the dash the warning light for the back door was constantly on.

Does your puddle lights stay on all the time ? do you got door lights ? floor lights on all the time ??? or something like this ???

Title: Re: Totally Dead, any suggestions would be appreci
Post by Nikami on Dec 7^th, 2005, 7:44pm

Firstly I would like to thank everyone for their replys, its really nice ;D

My alarm on the gear selector does work yes. Puddle/floor lights dont stay on all the time, only when doors are open. I am in Chester

problem with the 'warning' system surely ?? what would that be to do with?

Title: Re: Totally Dead, any suggestions would be appreci
Post by Highlander on Dec 7^th, 2005, 8:58pm

When you tried to jump start it what happened?
Did the dash lights come on? starter operate? engine turn over ok?

Are all the connections back on the battery?
Theres a small one that goes to the -ve terminal that often falls down and is overlooked.
I know you said there are no dash lights at all but try and start it in N instead of P in case its a selector switch problem. (Im assuming its an Auto) and the possibility there are two faults.
possibly yellow relay R11 in the drivers side fusebox which is needed for starting (its at the back and a B****r to get at) can you swap it for a known good one or borrow one?
Gear selector, is it slacker than usual? easier to move? might be a break in the linkage and its in gear therefore wont start.
When you had the drivers fusebox open did you remove the multiplug? check its located properly anyway, the end farthest from the cable has two little round lugs that need to be locked under their holders before it is pushed home.

Title: Re: Totally Dead, any suggestions would be appreci
Post by Snoopy on Dec 8^th, 2005, 8:22am

If you contact me by a Prvate message we might be able to meet and I might be able to help find the cause. I am in Chester.

Title: Re: Totally Dead, any suggestions would be appreci
Post by pustagris on Dec 9^th, 2005, 12:55pm

I think you should concentrate looking for faults on the alternator.
(Diodes inside have probably a short)
Meanwhile you should charge the batterie.
A short in the altrnator will empty the battery in a few hours.
A empty batterie will destoy itself beyond repair.
regards
Volker

Title: Re: Totally Dead, any suggestions would be appreci
Post by Nikami on Dec 23^rd, 2005, 2:31am

I would like to thank everyone for all their help and assistance. Just to let you know that I have now found out what it was after it being off the road for 3 weeks .... the main ignition fuse ::)

Title: Re: Totally Dead, any suggestions would be appreci
Post by Simmo on Dec 23^rd, 2005, 8:11am

Good to know you've got the car running again and thanks for letting us know what the problem was. Have you any idea what caused the fuse to blow?.

Title: Re: Totally Dead, any suggestions would be appreci
Post by Nikami on Dec 23^rd, 2005, 11:18am

It was water getting into the fusebox, it does have the proper cover, but where its under the rain gully I suppose it still managed to seep in there