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        General >> Problems >> Electrical Trouble 
        
(Message started by: pedro_pete on Jun 18^th, 2010, 7:13pm)

Title: Electrical Trouble
Post by pedro_pete on Jun 18^th, 2010, 7:13pm

Hi there,

I was driving down the road yesterday when out of the blue and for no aparent reason, all of the dash board lights went out, the dials all dropped, I lost my lights and indicators and I think I may have partially lost the power steering. I pulled over, turned off the engine and then it wouldn't start. There was a bonging sound, similar to the sound when you leave the lights on and open the door.

A few minutes later, it all came back on and engine was working. Slightly confused, I carried on thinking it was just a one off, but no, a few miles up the road it happened again.

I took it to my local garage this morning (we're becoming good friends, I think i've made it onto his Christmas card list) thinking it might be battery or maybe alternator trouble. They tested everything and couldn't find a fault. After running a diagnostic check it came up with an immobiliser error stating that the car had been stolen?

I'm concerned because i've booked 2 weeks off work and I'm supposed to be taking the family to Cornwall this weekend lol

I was just wondering if anyone had ever experienced similar trouble and if you might have any ideas on what might be wrong.

All help as always will be greatly appreciated.
Many Thanks,
Pete

Title: Re: Electrical Trouble
Post by scorpio_man on Jun 18^th, 2010, 7:29pm

hi there

give both fuse boxes a look over to make sure they're dry.

also look at the wiring that runs across the front cross member, as you've had work done in that area recently.

hth

Title: Re: Electrical Trouble
Post by pedro_pete on Jun 18^th, 2010, 11:14pm

Thankyou for your reply.

I'm taking it to an auto electrics guy in the morning, I will get him to look at those areas.
It makes sense that some of the wiring across the front could have been disturbed. Seems to be a coincidence that the problem has only started since replacing the oil cooler at the front.

Thanks again,
Pete

Title: Re: Electrical Trouble
Post by Cosray on Jun 19^th, 2010, 10:17am

Pedro Pete, had this long while back now. Gave it no thought since everything came back up, as you said.

Later, much later, when my battery gave up, it turned out to be one of the triple diodebridge-packs had gone.

Simple test: engine on, dark area, garage no lights on - you may see your charging light lit up ever so dimly. I never noticed since it sits behind the spokes of the wheel..!

It will cause your battery never to be charged fully... and ultimately produce electrical gremlins like spinning instrument needles, alarm sounding overnight when freezing and die of it. ;-((

€ 50 and you're done. It does not show up in DTC's somehow.

You could also do the charging battery test - see here http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/instreset.htm

HTH Ray

Title: Re: Electrical Trouble
Post by tlundkvi on Jun 19^th, 2010, 11:30am

The trio-pack is integrated with the rectifier, for the A127i alternator on the 24V, the others may need a different, the pack was roughly £30 pounds posted from Wood Auto Supplies. The light can come up dimly after a few minutes driving, I have had this for a while (haven't fitted the new rectifier yet). I have had a couple of times short power outages with needle flickering, but only when parked overnight. Starts normally every time, battery provides 13+ volts still.

Title: Re: Electrical Trouble
Post by Cosray on Jun 19^th, 2010, 11:38am

Hi tlundkvi, friendly advice: do not wait too long replacing the diodebridge... as your battery will not receive its full charge since the regulator is now fooled you will soon experience all kinds of electrical gremlins... I had them plentiful.

Yes it will show 13V - should be around 14V when charging - but will have permanent capacity deficiency adn higher internal resistance (Ri) , causing voltage fluctuations and irregularities. Small problem, large effect. Especially overnight, when cold, voltage may drop to 11 - 10 - 9 causing your alarm to trip, thinking the battery is gone! And your instrumentcluster to reset: spinning needles. Bad sign!

HTH
Ray

Title: Re: Electrical Trouble
Post by tlundkvi on Jun 19^th, 2010, 12:17pm

Yep, I know, I should have this done ASAP :) When I just had bought my Scorpio it had a dim battery light but seemed to work. But then one day on the Autobahn (lived in Munich at the moment), after having the stereo loud at 160km/h speed it just stopped charging and battery was drained within minutes, it's nothing to play with. Shutting of everything, even fans helped a bit so I could take an exit. Fixed it with a new alternator back then (which burned up on easter), the one I have now (breaker yard part, 50tkm used) is experiencing a slow death, charge has not yet dropped below 13.5 when light is dim but I'm sure it will eventually. Luckily, vacation starts after next week :)

It seems rectifiers are the weakest part of alternators, still it's easier to find voltage regulator packs for some reason.

Title: Re: Electrical Trouble
Post by Cosray on Jun 19^th, 2010, 12:22pm

Yes tlundkvi - hope & pray OR fix - you have a choice ;-))

Ray

Title: Re: Electrical Trouble
Post by Mike H on Jun 29^th, 2010, 3:57pm

I think it's plain wrong that the rectifier and electronic regulator (has transistors and things inside) is bolted straight onto the back of the alternator which in turn is bolted straight onto the side of a roasting hot engine. Semiconductors do not like being hot! And they're quite capable of getting hot by themselves LOL

NB Cosray's right battery Volts measurements don't actually mean a whole lot, it has to have a load to be at all meaningful. Even then can be telling fibs, if say down to 10% charge still looks like what a healthy 12 Amp/hours one would. Or somesuch