Long story short...
Fri pm - Travel from Swindon to Portsmouth (me, SWMBO, 3 kids and dog), no problems.
Couple of hours later and off to the pub, Galaxy ('97, 2.3 petrol) makes a fuss and won't start (always starts first time), I can hear some ticking from behind the dashboard. Just about to give up when it bursts into life. 30mile trip to pub (don't ask) and all's fine. Kicking out time, won't start - turns over and over but no sign of life. I get a lift back to Portsmouth.
Sat am - get a lift back to pub. Galaxy starts drives back to Pompey fine, no problems.
Sat pm - taking daughters to see other g'parents, Gal proceeds fine at first then after about 1 mile just stops completely. Will turn over and over but no life. AA man flummoxed, so he towed it to our (old) local garage in Portsmouth (we now live in Swindon - great!).
I need to call the garage in the morning to explain - would be glad of any pointers/advice?
Thanks, AdrianM
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Quick update - it may of use to someone later.......I searched through the Galaxy owners website and this appears to be a common problem - a relay (number 30?) which sits behind dashboard on drivers side (explains the ticking noise?) and controls the fuel pump.
Frustratingly, the car is 90 miles away in Portsmouth so I can't check this myself. I'll have to put my trust in the garage (and to be fair they've always been great in the past). According to the info I found it usually just needs reseating, but even paying for a replacement will be a relief - I had visions of major expense......even so, shouldn't count my chickens just yet.
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Only just seen your post on Galaxy problem, my wife had a Galaxy which the engine would just die at the most awkward moment then start ok if left for approx 10 minutes, I eventually found it was a common problem that Ford / VW new all about Iam certain it is the same relay you mention the only cure was to replace the relay.I dismantled the relay which had VW printed on it although fitted to the Ford,what I found inside was the most appaling design and workmanship of any electrical component I have ever come across.
rustbucket (the original)
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There are 2 relays for the fuel injection system,both in drivers side fuse box.If either one fails the car will not start.They are usually repairable by opening them up & resoldering the dry joints on the printed circuit board.
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There are 2 relays for the fuel injection system,both in drivers side fuse box.If either one fails the car will not start.They are usually repairable by opening them up & resoldering the dry joints on the printed circuit board.
Repairing the original relay /relays by resoldering the dry joints can only be considered to be temporary as this does not over come the original poor design of the relay / printed circuit boards inherent fault.The replacement relay that I fitted was internally better quality, and redesigned to prevent a repeat of the same dry joints reoccuring.
rustbucket (the original)
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repair of relay ie dry joint. Has nothing to do with design..material..
dry joints are a soldering prob not design..dry joints often occur in joints of electrical components.even in tv/video
--
Steve
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repair of relay ie dry joint. Has nothing to do with design..material.. dry joints are a soldering prob not design..dry joints often occur in joints of electrical components.even in tv/video -- Steve
The faulty relay that I removed and inspected had dry joints when I desoldered the relay from the printed circuit board it was obvious why it had failed. The circuit board had large square holes which were not through plated onto which the soldered base pins of the relay fitted into very loosly. The soldered base pins on the relay were small & round,this resulted in a large gap having to be filled with solder. Since solder will not flow very easily across a gap a dry joint had been formned in manufacture.Also as the relay was not mechanically fastned to the pcb any vibration would cause further fracturing of the solder joint. My conclusion therefore is poor design with poor workmanship.
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Result!
It was the Engine Management Control relay. The garage had to get an autoelectrician in to diagnose it. Cost around £60 which probably just about covers the garages time to check vehicle plus the call out for the electrician.
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Pleased to here you got it sorted .there is nothing more annoying than a fault like this that persistanly lets you down and left stranded.
rustbucket (the original)
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