Ford Scorpio Forum - Print Page


    
      
        Ford Scorpio Forum
        (https://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl)
      

        General >> Problems >> Unwanted Instrument Reset on every Start
        
(Message started by: Moonchalk on Oct 27^th, 2008, 8:26pm)

Title: Unwanted Instrument Reset on every Start
Post by Moonchalk on Oct 27^th, 2008, 8:26pm

Anyone come across this before ...

My Scorp does an unwanted instrument reset on every startup?

Not a major problem, more of an annoyance as just means loss of trip computer and display won't hold last settings, i.e. metric\imperial and preffered display, but would like to get it fixed if poss.

Main battery is strong and not had any related issues.

Any ideas?

:(

Title: Re: Unwanted Instrument Reset on every Start
Post by heliphil50 on Oct 27^th, 2008, 9:05pm

Hi do the speedo and tacho needles go round at the same time?

if so almost certainly battery condition

Title: Re: Unwanted Instrument Reset on every Start
Post by Moonchalk on Oct 27^th, 2008, 9:28pm

All needles affected - as per manual instrument reset after restart.

Never had any battery problems on ignition tho. Starts first time every time.

?

Title: Re: Unwanted Instrument Reset on every Start
Post by Tompion on Oct 27^th, 2008, 10:32pm

Someone reported blown fuse 17 could do this - although they also said the interior lights and clock didn't work amongst other things, but worth checking.

Title: Re: Unwanted Instrument Reset on every Start
Post by Bobbit on Oct 28^th, 2008, 7:34am

Had same with my scorp, changed battery , problem solved.

Title: Re: Unwanted Instrument Reset on every Start
Post by Highlander on Oct 28^th, 2008, 9:55am

Check your battery is of the correct rating, your Scorpio will draw a big current especially now its getting colder

Title: Re: Unwanted Instrument Reset on every Start
Post by Waglet on Oct 28^th, 2008, 12:39pm

My 24V has this problem. However I think it must be something other than the battery. After fully charging the battery it still fails. It can be OK for days and then once in a while it will do it. So I think the battery being the problem can be a red herring because it can fail at times when the battery is either fully charged or after its been used for a while. Odd. And annoying.

Title: Re: Unwanted Instrument Reset on every Start
Post by Snoopy on Oct 28^th, 2008, 2:52pm

One to check is that the MAIN battery leads are tight and clean and making best contact and all the earth straps are the same .

Its is due to the voltage on the output of the battery failing below the critical limit when cranking, and the electrics on the Scorpio seem very susceptible to this problem.

I changed the battery on my Scorpio as soon as it started doing the very same thing
and never had it happen again but the battery I kept for another 3years before getting rid of it and used it as a spare for doing jump starts and mobile 12v supply for our track days.
Remember a cold engine requires a lot of cranking power when cold and the oil is thick its virtually a dead short across the terminals a LOT of amps being drawn very quickly
So don't be fooled is my advice.

Title: Re: Unwanted Instrument Reset on every Start
Post by Waglet on Oct 28^th, 2008, 3:08pm

Cheers Snoop. What is the biggest meanest battery I can get that will fit?

Title: Re: Unwanted Instrument Reset on every Start
Post by Snoopy on Oct 28^th, 2008, 3:18pm

I don't know these days but I had a heavy duty 72amph battery fitted to mine which is what is recommended. If buying a new one make sure its a good make with a 5year warranty .with the biggest cold cranking possible .
I am sure there will be advice from many on this subject .

Title: Re: Unwanted Instrument Reset on every Start
Post by scorpio_man on Oct 28^th, 2008, 3:49pm

hi there

there's a issue with getting a big battery with the flat terminals. you might need to get a round post battery and use conversion adaptors.

hth

Title: Re: Unwanted Instrument Reset on every Start
Post by Highlander on Oct 28^th, 2008, 5:03pm

This should do it, if you want to be safe use two of them ;)

http://www.fwi.co.uk/assets/getAsset.aspx?ItemID=3808347

Title: Re: Unwanted Instrument Reset on every Start
Post by Highlander on Oct 28^th, 2008, 7:30pm

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

Pete and Eric used a 650 Cold Cranking Amps battery which is what I have in mine.

I just had a quick search online for car batteries and most of them spec the Scorpio as 500 to 550 CCA for all models, engines and equipment levels which doesnt seem right.

Dont know the Ford recomended spec but will find out.

Title: Re: Unwanted Instrument Reset on every Start
Post by Highlander on Oct 28^th, 2008, 7:37pm

Three batteries specified for the Scorpio but cant find what goes where...

55A/h, 60A/h and 71A/h

The 650CCA is a 71A/h and I would expect this is for the TD/V6 engines and/or high equipment level cars.

Title: Re: Unwanted Instrument Reset on every Start
Post by Geoff_W on Oct 28^th, 2008, 9:58pm

During the summer I had some occasional problems starting, I was getting the flicking needle symptoms and a minute clicking from the direction of the glove box, but each time I had the battery checked it was OK.

Long story short having had it happen outside an autoeloectricians just before the bank holiday in Bedford (Fenlakes) I asked them to check it over, in every case when I had the problem it would start with a starter pack hooked up to the car and the thought after a number of checks was that it was the battery. agreed to them dropping a new one in and drove away.

Following morning it would not start.

The good news was that when I rang Fenlakes to tell them I still had a problem they were absolutely great about it. I got a jump start and drove it back to them and they spent the bulk of the morning checking circuit by circuit. In my case everything was OK but for a microscopic bit of green fluff, just a half a mil maybe less in the bottom of the fusebox.

"At some point that has had a bit of damp in just there". The relay effected was part of the engine immobiliser circuit and the view was that the circuit was breaking down and the drop effected the ignition circuit switch and the instruments. The starter pack when added boosted the power enough to make the relay and circuit work and get a start.

They removed the fuse box and cleaned away the verdigris and touch wood car has started fine ever since. (Just got the head gaskets done and the replacement rad)

Thanks to GOZZ via PeteHULL so am back on the road as of today.

Title: Re: Unwanted Instrument Reset on every Start
Post by gozz on Oct 28^th, 2008, 10:37pm

Geoff.
Pleased to hear that,and to have been part of the success :)
GOZZ

Title: Re: Unwanted Instrument Reset on every Start
Post by peteHull on Oct 30^th, 2008, 8:33am

Well done Geoff, nice to hear you got it sorted, that's rewards for perciverance for you.... :D Can be very critical these Scorps.... ??? ;D

Pete