Ford Scorpio Forum - Print Page


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

        General >> Problems >> Flicking needles :-(
        
(Message started by: Scorpio_Mike on Oct 28^th, 2010, 3:58pm)

Title: Flicking needles :-(
Post by Scorpio_Mike on Oct 28^th, 2010, 3:58pm

Noticed my speedo & rev counter needles flicked right round today - done it twice so far but not every time I start the engine.

Did the digital readout check by holding the trip meter button in for a few seconds and then cycling through the readings - got 13.3v with the engine running at tickover and 11.8v with the engine off.

I know this probably means the battery is on the way out. Is it likely to just die on me ( do I need to change it mega urgently ! ) or will it be OK for a few days or maybe a week or 2 ?

I've had the car for approx 3 1/2 years and the battery is the one that came with the car so I guess I shouldn't complain too much.

Title: Re: Flicking needles :-(
Post by Simmo on Oct 28^th, 2010, 4:12pm

Isn't there one in 'The Shed' ?? ;D. Looks like it's a new one Mike but you might keep it going for a while if you can keep it trickle charged. :-/

Title: Re: Flicking needles :-(
Post by Tompion on Oct 28^th, 2010, 4:20pm

Mike,

Don't forget the needles will always flick round (next time you turn the ignition on) after you check the voltage this way.

I often find the voltage down to 11.8, but not immediately after turning off the ignition.

Dave

Title: Re: Flicking needles :-(
Post by amigafan2003 on Oct 28^th, 2010, 5:54pm

I drove with "flicking" needles for a few months then a couple of weeks ago it died a death - just clicking from the starter motor - I guess one of the cells finally collapsed in the battery.

So yes, you probably could drive it for a while before it fails you. On the other hand, that day could be tomorrow.

Title: Re: Flicking needles :-(
Post by Stixy on Oct 28^th, 2010, 6:57pm

Nothing to do with the problem but Check your battery clamp before you need to swap the battery as i have had a few that have been that rusty its almost impossible to get the bolt out and clamp off

Title: Re: Flicking needles :-(
Post by gozz on Oct 28^th, 2010, 9:55pm

Test your electrolyte Mike,if one or more cell is noticeably lower than the others they are most probably dying,best to replace then.
GOZZ.

Title: Re: Flicking needles :-(
Post by emptypockets on Oct 29^th, 2010, 12:16pm

Hi Mike.

I have had similar problems recently. Even with a reading of 11.8 the engine wouldn't turn over some mornings, just the dreaded click. Turned out it was the regulator on the alternator. Now reading 14.3. With "everything going" electrically at this time of year there was more going out than going in. Which is exactly what my bank manager said last week!

Cheers.

Title: Re: Flicking needles :-(
Post by Mike H on Oct 29^th, 2010, 5:07pm

Note measuring battery Voltage don't often mean a lot really ~ unless it's measured with a load on, is a bit more meaningful ~ and anyway should really be 12.6V 'cause a LA cell is 2.1V.

As Tompion says if not been fiddling with the diagnostic thingy, then it's an early warning ~ needs a 2 hour cruise on a motorway or battery charger!

Reminds me must do mine cos I've been getting the pre-early warning, quick flick of the ABS light on start-up.

I shall be putting it on the 8 Amps mains charger for 48 hours. It usually works out as that sort of time

Title: Re: Flicking needles :-(
Post by ottopmh on Oct 30^th, 2010, 12:11am

on 10/29/10 at 17:07:50, Mike H wrote:

Note measuring battery Voltage don't often mean a lot really ~ unless it's measured with a load on

Spot on! Even a very bad battery can survive for a long time if there is no need for high current for more than just a few eyeblinks. For example my 55 Ah battery, which didn't bring life to my Sierra few years ago, is still kicking when it comes to start up a 35hp outboard. And that's not all - the battery has been spending it's time under a piece of plastic at the waterfront in Finland. All year around for two winters so far.

My Scorpio has been performing the dial dance for seven months now. So far I've just been waiting for the fatal day;)

Title: Re: Flicking needles :-(
Post by Mike H on Oct 30^th, 2010, 12:02pm

Seven months is stretching it, I'd wanna do something about it by now ;D

Title: Re: Flicking needles :-(
Post by scorpio_man on Oct 30^th, 2010, 12:26pm

on 10/28/10 at 21:55:47, gozz wrote:

Test your electrolyte Mike,if one or more cell is noticeably lower than the others they are most probably dying,best to replace then.
GOZZ.

just had to do this with my wee honda. failed to start the other day for the first time ever.

Title: Re: Flicking needles :-(
Post by Mike H on Oct 31^st, 2010, 12:53pm

Now here's an example, just been out to top up with some fuel, about maybe 3 - 4 miles is all, when I get back put charger on.

Plug it in, all the LED's light up "90%" (or greater than) I know for a fact it ain't! Or not a tremendous lot. It's just 'cause I've literally just turned it off!

Unplug, do it again, 70% this time. That's more nearer the truth. It can drop while you watch it....

Title: Re: Flicking needles :-(
Post by Marc1978 on Mar 27^th, 2011, 7:35pm

Same thing is happening to my Cosworth and I've also noticed that when it does, the mileage trip meter resets itself back to zero as well.

Anyone had that happen to theirs too and does that suggest my battery / alternator is on its / their way out?

Title: Re: Flicking needles :-(
Post by nagrom04 on Mar 27^th, 2011, 7:43pm

Same here the flicking needles, blank display, offside doors on the display flash as well the mile counter reset to zero. Had this for a few months now.

Title: Re: Flicking needles :-(
Post by Waglet on Mar 29^th, 2011, 7:41pm

Been working at a car compound, moving a few new motors etc. All new Vauxhall cars have needles that flick round every time! So Scorpios it would seem set a trend for manufactures of new motors to follow. ;D
My Scorp 24V did it and when the milometer reset it drove me crazy, new Bosch battery fixed it!!

Title: Re: Flicking needles :-(
Post by Mike H on Mar 30^th, 2011, 11:39am

OK so have we now established that flicking needles = battery needs charging? ;D

Unless you did a dashboard diag of course, that isn't the same thing

I was getting the early warning ABS-light-up-on-turn-key-to-start this morning so the charger's plugged in now

I have a fag lighter plug on it and so just plug it into the rear cigar socket, with an extension lead, so it's relatively quick and easy, in case I haven't mentioned it before

Title: Re: Flicking needles :-(
Post by The Rooster in the Scorpio. on Mar 30^th, 2011, 11:56am

on 03/29/11 at 19:41:20, Waglet wrote:

Waglet,you are a lucky Scorpio Owner. My new Varta appears to have stopped the Air Bag Light from flicking on,on odd occasions it would flicker during driving,but the Speedo Trip Meter still has a mind of its own. We were up on the Kirkstone Pass in Cumbria in the car park opposite the Hostelry. I started up and the trip meter reset to 0 miles.
Is it possible that it has become an Altimeter for the decent to Bowness !!!??? HA HA .

Title: Re: Flicking needles :-(
Post by ro284 on Mar 30^th, 2011, 8:16pm

my 2-3 has been flicking needles since i bought the car in 2006, and still has the same battery, i guess i just got used to it, starts fine every time, having said that, i'll probably go out there tomorrow and it won't! :)

Title: Re: Flicking needles :-(
Post by The Rooster in the Scorpio. on Mar 30^th, 2011, 9:26pm

on 03/30/11 at 20:16:19, ro284 wrote:

Hi ro284. Do both your On-board Computer & Seat Memory switches function correctly?.
My On-board computer switch was intermittent as was/is the Seat Memory Switch. Tony (a local member tried his switch in my car and his is fully functioning in my car (therefore my switch is duff).
I replaced my Memory Seat switch with another,it was OK for a while but since the flicking needle caper it has ceased to function at position 1. I have had a new Varta Battery fitted and the alternator checked out by my Auto Electrical Guru,that is OK and functioning as it should.

Title: Re: Flicking needles :-(
Post by ro284 on Mar 30^th, 2011, 10:06pm

hi mate, sorry my car is the GHia no electric seats, no sun roof, so it.s not such a problem with my basic model

Title: Re: Flicking needles :-(
Post by TomP on Apr 2^nd, 2011, 9:48pm

Just to add my note.

2.9 12v 1996 Estate, bought the car 3 and a half years ago, had flicking needles right from the start. Have never changed the battery in that time and it's still going strong. The red battery light does come on from time to time, but so far the battery is still ok......touch wood!

Also, I notice from other posts that the CCA and Ah on my battery is not quite as high as recommended on the Scorpio forum, so have always assumed that this may be causing my flicking needles.

Title: Re: Flicking needles :-(
Post by Mike H on Apr 3^rd, 2011, 11:25am

Battery indicator coming on is not good, suggests alternator problem, there are other topics about this going back into last year.

Even if you get the flicking needles it will still usually start OK nevertheless this is telling you that the battery is seriously down and the situation needs looking into. Batteries usually last better if they are charged properly ;D