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General >> Problems >> Wife gives me a jump every day
(Message started by: ruonglue on Nov 25th, 2009, 7:07pm)

Title: Wife gives me a jump every day
Post by ruonglue on Nov 25th, 2009, 7:07pm
But I have to jump it myself the rest of the time ???
I have a 96 Ultima 2.5 TD and whilst it drives ok , as soon as you turn it off it suffers an almost total loss of charge from the battery.
Once it is running most things work ,although the interior lights have since packed up.
checking the speedo trip alternatives shows the alternator charging at 13.9 to 14.9 volts but if you have the lights on ,operating the heater or the wipers dims them.
I suspect an alternator diode problem .
Any ideas?

Title: Re: Wife gives me a jump every day
Post by gozz on Nov 25th, 2009, 10:03pm
Battery shot ?

Title: Re: Wife gives me a jump every day
Post by python9 on Nov 25th, 2009, 11:42pm
yep spot on gozz dud battery

Title: Re: Wife gives me a jump every day
Post by Highlander on Nov 26th, 2009, 12:26am

on 11/25/09 at 19:07:04, ruonglue wrote:
if you have the lights on ,operating the heater or the wipers dims them.


The alternator should cope easily with all electrics on full load, how much does it dim the lights?? If it is quite noticable you may be right in your alternator theory which may have in turn killed the battery.

If you just replace the battery a dud alternator will kill it quickly, best to get the system checked

Title: Re: Wife gives me a jump every day
Post by tlundkvi on Nov 26th, 2009, 8:50am
ruonglue, are you having a constant dim battery warning light, or is it bright red (as it is when you turn ignition on)? On load, the voltage should drop dramatically in case of diode problems. My car stereo triggered my alternator to ultimately fail.

Regulator faults are typically worn coals (none to full charging). Voltage over the scale i believe is another symptom.

Title: Re: Wife gives me a jump every day
Post by pinto on Nov 26th, 2009, 10:28pm
My first instinct on seing the title was to say...

" you lucky git  ;D "

but then i read the rest  ::)

Easiest way to test the diode pack is to (engine off) remove the large cable running from the positive terminal of the battery to the alternator, then put a multimeter set to read amps (A) between the cable and battery - any current flowing shows that the diode pack is shot (as its an electrical "one way valve" and shouldnt allow any current backflow)

Personally, I'd also pop into your local garage/tyre joint/quickfit and see if they'll load test your battery - the problem you describe also sounds like the battery has dropped a cell and isnt taking charge properly.

Title: Re: Wife gives me a jump every day
Post by ruonglue on Nov 27th, 2009, 8:04pm
I have changed the battery with no difference, once it's running there are no problems apart from the interior lights.

Title: Re: Wife gives me a jump every day
Post by ruonglue on Nov 27th, 2009, 8:07pm
THe battery warning light is off once I have jump started it. Initially it would bump start but now I get just a few warning lights on when i turn the ignition on.

Title: Re: Wife gives me a jump every day
Post by Highlander on Nov 27th, 2009, 8:08pm
Did you replace it with a NEW battery of correct rating?

Title: Re: Wife gives me a jump every day
Post by ruonglue on Nov 30th, 2009, 2:24pm
The cables to the pos side of the battery consist of two thick ones joined together, a medium one and a thin one. I checked as pinto said and the medium one showed 7.5  amps. Is this the one to the alternator?
I did replace the battery with the same sized one . It is currently showing about 7.9 volts
If it is the diode pack , where can I get a replacement and can anyone tell me the make and ref no for the alternator, it is the one with the vacuum pump to the rear.
Thanks
steve

Title: Re: Wife gives me a jump every day
Post by Tenfut on Nov 30th, 2009, 5:05pm
Hi Stuart

Re battery with correct rating

Is it OK to "overspec" ie 74AH / 750 CCA

I am thinking of buying a Varta Silver E38

Cheers

Tony

Title: Re: Wife gives me a jump every day
Post by tlundkvi on Nov 30th, 2009, 6:40pm

on 11/30/09 at 17:05:56, Tenfut wrote:
Hi Stuart

Re battery with correct rating

Is it OK to "overspec" ie 74AH / 750 CCA

I am thinking of buying a Varta Silver E38

Cheers

Tony


Yes, you can put a higher amp battery (or alternator for that matter if there is a choice). In fact, this is what car makers do for the nordic countries (e.g. a car with 50Ahin central Europe has 60 over here).

Title: Re: Wife gives me a jump every day
Post by tlundkvi on Nov 30th, 2009, 6:45pm

on 11/30/09 at 14:24:45, ruonglue wrote:
If it is the diode pack , where can I get a replacement and can anyone tell me the make and ref no for the alternator, it is the one with the vacuum pump to the rear.


Usually not worth to replace and it may be hard to get the right part, get a new alternator or a good used, e.g. new on ebay: 220514145209

Title: Re: Wife gives me a jump every day
Post by ruonglue on Nov 30th, 2009, 11:45pm
Managed to locate one in my local scrappy but it was completely seized up! Going to another yard later this week to have a look, is it the same as the one fitted to the pre scorpio Granada with the same engine? Or any other vehicle ?
One of the advantages of living in France is that the only Scorpios I've come across have been diesels, however the price of new parts is 30% to50% more than the Uk so may have to buy off ebay and get it shipped over.

Title: Re: Wife gives me a jump every day
Post by tlundkvi on Dec 1st, 2009, 11:47am
You can look around. Different items are listed for Scorpio I on ebay, I have no idea of whether they can be made to fit. It may then in your case be worth checking out also the german ebay, alternator is called "Lichtmaschine" or "Lima", in case e.g. shipping costs are lower, they are pretty heavy :) Or if you're lucky a fellow member with a good spare one picks up the thread.

Title: Re: Wife gives me a jump every day
Post by ruonglue on Dec 1st, 2009, 6:16pm
Thanks for the tip Tlundkvi. Have located a new one on German Ebay for 93€.  thats about £40 cheaper than the one in England and a lot less postage.
Cheers
Steve

Title: Re: Wife gives me a jump every day
Post by tlundkvi on Dec 1st, 2009, 7:28pm
Nice, for that price I wouldn't even consider a used. Good deal!



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