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last night my rev counter stopped working then my speedo then all other fuel gauge etc. now the car wont start even bump do you think my battery is u/s and shorting? the alternator looks new
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 21/03/2009 at 14:29
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the alternator looks new
Unfortunately its appearance doesn't count for anything.
Firstly you need to find out if the battery is flat. If so, it needs fully charging then testing. Also you need to verify whether the alternator is charging the battery or not. Finally you need to check that nothing electrical is left switched on in the car - boot, interior & glove box lights, for instance that could be draining the battery when it's parked up.
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thanks. sorry i should have mentioned that i replaced the lcd on the dash yexterday which seemed to go well. however whilst driving the instruments went off one by one until the car suddenly stopped, is it poss that its something to do with me having the clocks out? the battery is not that good i dont think and may have shorted inside giving the problem im really unsure
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Have you any electrics working at all? Have you measured the battery voltage?
Maybe in having the dash apart you didn't reconnect the electical multiplug and socket joint back together firmly, thus stopping the dash from working.
As this has only occurred since the work you carried out, I would retrace your steps and check that you put back everything together properly.
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 21/03/2009 at 19:22
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thanks
just checked all connections and they are fine i have recharged the battery and now the dash is working again apart from the rev counter unless you floor the pedal and then it works release the pedal and it stops again.
i checked the voltage whilst the engine is running and its about 12v so i think its either the alternator or solenoid is they a better way of testing both? still not sure why the rev counter does not work dont know where the pickup is for it either
any help please, i have very little funds and need to repair this myself.
thanks
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I have a feeling the rev counter gets a signal from the alternator on the diesel engines.
Is the warning light for the alternator not on? In fact, does it come on as a check light when you first turn the ignition? If not, then either the bulb has blown or the alternator earth strap could be detached. I had this once with a previous Vauxhall of mine. Thinking it was just the bulb gone and I would get around to changing it at the weekend; however it wasn't, as I found out that evening when the engine started stuttering as the headlights got dimmer and dimmer.
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 22/03/2009 at 03:00
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cheers
i just checked the earth strap with a meter from the bolt on the alternator to the battery and it looks like a break in the wire?
Edited by after_burners on 22/03/2009 at 08:43
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update just checked again and im getting open to both live and neg on battery???
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is there a relay i could check? or im i going down the wrong path?
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a-b
Have you checked the continuity of the alternater earth on the ohms range?
If so what was the reading?
If the strap is broke brige it with a jump lead, if this cures your rev counter, make a permanent repair.
Have you checked across the battery terminals on the DC volts range?
You should get 14.5 volts plus if the alternater is charging.
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not sure how to check the continuity
checked the voltage and thers about 11.84v at the battery
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Is this a wind up?
Run a bridging wire from the alternator to the car body, see if the battery volts increase.
Edited by xtrailman on 22/03/2009 at 18:05
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>>Is this a wind up?
No, some Vauxhalls had alternators which were mounted via rubber bushes, and so, to provide a complete circuit, there was an earth wire which bridged the insulators - this earth wire failing was the cause of quite a few charging problems.
It seems like the OP is mis-using the multimeter, and needs to be clear about which setting on the multimeter is being used, and what is being measured. Resistance readings, for example, should not be taken on live systems, because the results will almost certainly be misleading.
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DD has already ID this common fault. I was not disputing that this could be the problem.
However the system is not live with the engine off, i would expect to get a low resistance reading from alternator body to car chasiss.
Also would expect someone who can relace part of the dash to have basic ability at testing?
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thanks guys i can use a meter, from basics to installing alarms on bikes, car electrics r harder 2 trace lol. anyway, its just that when i come from what i believe is the earth wire and check it at the positive at the battery its given a complete circuit then when i go to the neg on the battrey there is alot of resistance so much my meter cannot handle it.
so i believe the 1 i have been checking is the live feed from the alt but i cannot see any other wires apart from the 2 that are in an oval shape connector.
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The 2 pin connector holds the wires for the battery/charge warning light and the battery voltage sense wire.There should be a large fat battery supply wire (usually red)attached to a metal stud on the rear of the alternator and secured by a 10 or 13 mm nut.This is the cable that needs to be tested for battery voltage.Also as the dash has been removed ,does the battery/charge light illuminate with ignition on?If it doesn't,then this may cause a no charge condition.hth
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can you confirm which engine this is ! where is the alternator situated ?, top back lefthandside, or lower front lefthandside (isuzu engine or vauxhall engine), Regards TB
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its the lower front lefthandside as you look in the engine bay and fitted with an isuzu engine tb
Edited by after_burners on 23/03/2009 at 06:14
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okay the alternators usually chuck out loads of volts 14.5 is typical the rev counter runs from the alt there is a charge relay fitted on these models and i would advise changeing it at the same time as the alternator, sometime today i will see if i can find a location, regards TB
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thanks tb and to all that have helped
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i have just been told take if the bulb in the dash has gone it will stop the alernator from charging, is this correct as i find it really hard to believe?
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yes that is correct, when you turn the ignition on 12 volts is feed through the bulb down to the alternator when this is seen by the alternator is "excites" the alternator into charging (its a bit more technical than that but easyist way to explain) Regards TB
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ok so i have changed the alternator and replaced the bulb, but im still not getting a charge? the batte y light goes out when the engine is running but the rev counter is still not working correctly
im really stuck now it should be working fine
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did you change the charge relay, they usually get screwed when the alternator go's from memory they are in the drivers side kick panel either purple or yellow 4 pin and rather large pins if you look at them you can see heat damage, Regards TB
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no i did not chnage any relays?
had a look and there all black and about the same size and none of which look burnt apart from 2 of them but i think they are something to do with the indicators? but im only guessing
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i have had a good look on a new system that i am struggling with and cant find a location i will try to have a look tommorow, your local dealer may be some help (they will tell you that it dont have one but i am sure that they do) maybe better to talk to an older technician (one thats had a few years as a vauxhall tech) rather than a kid ! ,Regards TB
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I think you will find there is no charge relay fitted to this model.(only found on earlier vauxhall models with Isuzu engine).You need to be looking at the voltages at the battery and the ouput terminal (large) of the alternator to see if there is any voltage drop/difference.(engine running).If the battery charge light is going out once the engine is started ,then this is usually an indication that the alternator is doing something.hth
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thanks both i have spoken to vauxhall and yes they are saying no relay. also it is the isuzu engine fitted to this car.
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i cant for the life of me find the relay either so i may of given you a bit of a bum steer right lets start from the begining yes it is an isuzu engine, do you have a dash warning light for the igntion/alt, what output are you getting from the alternator at the battery and straight from the big terminal on the back of the alt, if you want to you can pm me and we will deal with that way, Regards TB
Edited by topbloke on 27/03/2009 at 20:09
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thanks tb, i think ive sorted it
it looks like the main feed from the alternator is breaking down under load so i spliced it and im getting just under 14v at the battery with the engine running, lights, heater, hazards etc. turned on. around 11.58 with the engine off. the reason i did not go any further in the place was because all seemed fine according to my meter just thought i'd give the splicng a go.
going to run the car over the weekend and see how it goes.
then just one last thing to do and thats getting the rev counter working properly again, which i think is the double connector on the alternator not sure where ill get a new plug from though,. does any1 know?
ill let every1 know how the cars runs
a really BIG thank you every one thats helped, this is one freindly form :)
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well it seems to be working fine although i did get the battery light flick on today but i think its down to the 2 wired plug once i sort this all should be fine even the rev counter :)
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