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        General >> Problems >> Them pesky dials
        
(Message started by: Waglet on Jul 5^th, 2008, 5:32pm)

Title: Them pesky dials
Post by Waglet on Jul 5^th, 2008, 5:32pm

Hi all. When I start up the Scorp (24V) just purchased from Pete scruffygyt the dials wang round to the stops and back again. Why is this? Also the trip meter and mileage on computer all reset themselves. What can I do to prevent this? Many thanks Waglet. It averaged 30.4 MPG from Essex to MK. Then reset itself. DOH!

Title: Re: Them pesky dials
Post by scorpio_man on Jul 5^th, 2008, 5:37pm

hi there

classic signs of you needing a new battery. :(

see the fault finder on the main site.

hth

Title: Re: Them pesky dials
Post by ChrisF on Jul 5^th, 2008, 6:01pm

I agree that sadly you need a new battery, classic signs. Dont forget to write down your radio code afore you change the battery. Best price I have found is Partco about £55.

Title: Re: Them pesky dials
Post by Scorpio_Mike on Jul 5^th, 2008, 6:09pm

How do you get the radio to display the code ?

Title: Re: Them pesky dials
Post by ChrisF on Jul 5^th, 2008, 6:17pm

I dont think you can. Best bet is to ask the bloke you bought it from. He may have written it down somewhere, hand book for example. It is a four figure code.

Title: Re: Them pesky dials
Post by Simmo on Jul 5^th, 2008, 7:44pm

Mike. Do you mean how do you insert the code ??. If you do not have the code you will need the serial number of the radio and several of the lads here have the software to provide the code via a PM. Mike.

Waglet. As has been said classic sign of battery problems.

Title: Re: Them pesky dials
Post by Jonnycab on Jul 5^th, 2008, 8:28pm

I can let you know the radio code if you PM me the serial number :)

Title: Re: Them pesky dials
Post by Waglet on Jul 5^th, 2008, 11:03pm

Thanks guys. It looks like some kind soul has written the code for the radio etc. in the space provided in the 'operating guide' booklet. Hurrah. However would a duff battery make the computer reset? When it does it revets to metric instead of MPG

Title: Re: Them pesky dials
Post by ChrisF on Jul 5^th, 2008, 11:31pm

When it is bad enough it will, it would revert to however it was originaly set up, MPG presumably. But check the alternator before you get a new bat, just check that it has an output of about 14v with it on a reasonably fast tickover with the heater on fast.

Title: Re: Them pesky dials
Post by Snoopy on Jul 6^th, 2008, 8:13am

With regards the reset on the eec the default setting is METRIC >>>

Title: Re: Them pesky dials
Post by scruffygyt on Jul 6^th, 2008, 11:58am

as i pointed out to Richard when he viewed the car its been doing that for the last six months or more and always started first time every time even after standing for a couple of weeks, surely if there was a problem with the battery it would have shown up by now

Title: Re: Them pesky dials
Post by Waglet on Jul 6^th, 2008, 12:19pm

I agree with scruffygyt Pete. What I will do is swap the battery with the Granada MK3 that had its accident this week. I know the battery in this car is under 6 months old. Hopefully the terminals are the same? Can't do it today tho'....its chucking it down here in not so sunny MK

Title: Re: Them pesky dials
Post by TRACEYS_LIMO on Jul 6^th, 2008, 12:40pm

it is the right size battery for the car no offence implied ???

Title: Re: Them pesky dials
Post by Geeker on Jul 6^th, 2008, 2:10pm

I had exactly the same problem a few months ago, the needles were flicking right round, trip meter resetting and changing back to metric, a proper nuisance >:(

I charged the battery, but it never lasted more than a couple of days till it did it again. I had the battery checked by a couple of places and neither of them could tell me for sure whether it was the battery or the alternator.

In the end I plumped for getting a new battery, it was a lot cheaper and a heck of a lot easier than getting another alternator. Happy to say it's been absolutely fine ever since and the problems have completely disappeared.

To think that I put up with it for SO long, all the hassle it would cause with jump starting it and all that messing about... as if life isn't stressful enough eh! ::)

Good luck

Title: Re: Them pesky dials
Post by Waglet on Jul 6^th, 2008, 11:16pm

Thanks Mr Geeker. As soon as the rain stops....the battery it is!

Title: Re: Them pesky dials
Post by Jonnycab on Jul 7^th, 2008, 12:15am

I've always found that a good way of testing for a weak battery is to move the electric drivers seat back & forwards a couple of times (ignition off) & then try & start the car.

A good battery should start the car on the button, but a weak battery will have had the juice sucked out of it by the load from the electric seat, so will make the dials flick & turn the engine slowly or maybe just do the 'clicking' noise ;)

Also check the climate control by holding the buttons in....if there is a '08' or '58' code then this indicates that the battery is weak :)

Also check the alternator output while the car is running either with a multimeter on the battery or by using the dashboard diagnostic feature.....holding the trip reset button in for about 5 seconds until it beeps & then pressing it 8 times until it gets to 'bAtt'.....alternator output should be between 13.8 - 14.4 V :)......http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/instreset.htm

Hope this helps :)

Title: Re: Them pesky dials
Post by Waglet on Jul 7^th, 2008, 11:47am

This site never ceases to amaze me as does the Scorp! Always helpful and always something new to learn, what fun. Thanks Johnnycab

Title: Re: Them pesky dials
Post by Waglet on Jul 11^th, 2008, 11:39pm

It finally stopped raining enough tonight for me to put the battery from my MK3 onto the Scorp, (I know this one is much newer) went for a test run and all seems fine. The out put test via the trip meter was spot on (thanks to jonnycab for the heads up on that one). Hopefully no more flicking dials! Any one interested in a MK3 with only 60k on the clock? I.M. me or email richard.c.warner@bt.com or try that old communication trick by phone 01908 672089.

Title: Re: Them pesky dials
Post by Waglet on Jul 23^rd, 2008, 1:14pm

New battery seems to have done the trick. And the MK3 is sold. :D

Title: Re: Them pesky dials
Post by Waglet on Aug 8^th, 2008, 10:45am

Oh well ???.......It's doing again as well. I reckon there must be something draining the battery slightly. When it gets 'low' enough the dials do their thing and whip round. Annoying coz I like to know how many MPG I'm NOT doing! Sometimes I wonder why I bovver with these motors. Think my missus might be right! ::)