S3 Charging Problem

[artie]

The ignition light stays on with the engine running, and the voltmeter reads about 11v, I've had the alternator checked out and it's ok, as is the battery which under no load gives about 13v. Any ideas?

[Johan G]

Sorry if this is obvious, but have you made sure to rev the engine above 2000 rpm? Charging begins when you do that the first time after starting the engine.

Regards,
Johan

[andyf007]

As Johan says Artie, and welcome to the SClub.

Has anyone found a cure for this, or is it entirely down to the size of the pulley wheels? I've always assumed that this was one of the ways TVR got a few more bhp out of the engine, but can it be altered back to the Ford ratios?

[shpub]

What's the point? You can't hoenestly say you have a TVR and don't rev beyond 2000 RPM? If so... I'm afraid the TVR police will have to come and pay you a visit....

I've had the same feature on similar engined Fords so it is not necessarily TVR specific.

Steve
www.tvrbooiks.co.uk

[andyf007]

shpub said:

What's the point? You can't hoenestly say you have a TVR and don't rev beyond 2000 RPM? If so... I'm afraid the TVR police will have to come and pay you a visit.... I've had the same feature on similar engined Fords so it is not necessarily TVR specific. Steve www.tvrbooiks.co.uk

Points being,

I don't like to have to blip a cold engine.

In certain areas (housing estates mainly), I don't get over 2k for quite a bit, due to kids and general respect for locals.

My lights and wipers are even more crap in the above circumstances, resulting in lots of low speed impacts with said kids.

And mine actually goes out at 3k when accellerating, which has been fun in the snow and ice!

As far as the TVR are concerned

A. Nonnymouse

[Artie]

Thanks for the advice, running the engine over 2000rpm seemed to do the trick. The only reason for not wanting to do this previously was that the car didn't have a cooling system and hasn't been run on the road (due to just being purchased as a crash damaged car) and me being a newcomer to TVRs.