Electrical problem - can anyone help?
Discussion
On my way to work this morning, go to indicate and battery light comes on, no indicator flashing and battery light stays on as I round corner. Pull over and see if engine going to cut out. Doesn't but no gauges working, as no indicators. Know that due to bloody freezing temperature this morning and from gauge reading 30 secs before that temp isnt going too mad so get on my way for 3 minute journe to the office and switch off asap in the car park. Will re-start but still teh same, no charge light at all once it had been turned off initially. No gauges, no indicators. All other electrics work fine.
Any ideas? I was thinking replace the fan belt in the first instance? Then try a new alternator?
Obviously i do not want to drive it at the moment in case the water pump isnt working.
Any help greatly received.
Any ideas? I was thinking replace the fan belt in the first instance? Then try a new alternator?
Obviously i do not want to drive it at the moment in case the water pump isnt working.
Any help greatly received.
sorry Pete. see if this is any better.
have had a loose connection below the dash for the last few weeks. Took the column panels off last weekend to have a look at the square connector as wiggling this could correct the problem. Its the inch square connector under the steering column. It would intermittantly cut out as I was driving along when the loose wire "went" in this connector housing. I mainly noticed it when starting the car the light for the handbrake would not be on with the key in the second turn position. a fiddle under the cowling would switch it back into life and I would start her up and be on my way. The other week I ran out of time whilst working on the car and it had to be put back together (after dealing with seperate cooling issue) as I had an evening engagement.
When the connection was "broken" and the handbrake light/gauges etc were not functioning, the car would also not start. I assume one of these wires will be for the ignition and the connector as a hole is a little loose (i have read of dodgy connectors from ford transits that melt on S1 and S2's. Mine is an S3 however and didnt know if i have this "dodgy" part)
Anyways, today it will start, the heaters work Ok, the lights seem ok. no indicators/gauges seems the only problem. The fact that the engine runs leads me to conclude it was unrelated to the "other" problem of this loose connection beneath the steering column.
With regards to the charge light, this came on as I was driving and stayed on until the engine was switched off. after that, it has remained off, even when the engine has been re-started. none of the lights on the dash come on now except the headlight warning light.
PS - the fan belt is intact and moving around fine.
>> Edited by Shnozz on Thursday 12th December 12:51
have had a loose connection below the dash for the last few weeks. Took the column panels off last weekend to have a look at the square connector as wiggling this could correct the problem. Its the inch square connector under the steering column. It would intermittantly cut out as I was driving along when the loose wire "went" in this connector housing. I mainly noticed it when starting the car the light for the handbrake would not be on with the key in the second turn position. a fiddle under the cowling would switch it back into life and I would start her up and be on my way. The other week I ran out of time whilst working on the car and it had to be put back together (after dealing with seperate cooling issue) as I had an evening engagement.
When the connection was "broken" and the handbrake light/gauges etc were not functioning, the car would also not start. I assume one of these wires will be for the ignition and the connector as a hole is a little loose (i have read of dodgy connectors from ford transits that melt on S1 and S2's. Mine is an S3 however and didnt know if i have this "dodgy" part)
Anyways, today it will start, the heaters work Ok, the lights seem ok. no indicators/gauges seems the only problem. The fact that the engine runs leads me to conclude it was unrelated to the "other" problem of this loose connection beneath the steering column.
With regards to the charge light, this came on as I was driving and stayed on until the engine was switched off. after that, it has remained off, even when the engine has been re-started. none of the lights on the dash come on now except the headlight warning light.
PS - the fan belt is intact and moving around fine.
>> Edited by Shnozz on Thursday 12th December 12:51
Thanks so much all - I owe you all a 
Rod - thank you for your kind offer which i may well take you up at a later date but.......
whilst I may not have got to the root of the problem I changed the fuse (cheers David!) and have a fiddle around the fuse box basically removing and replacing fuses. None of them had actually blown. Anyway, whilst I was working down in the footwell it all came back to life.
I am still none the wiser but will monitor the situation. JSG - I think you may be right with the link. I need to have a good look under the steering column with the panels off and replace the plastic "block". I am not sure if this is the dreaded connector that is renown for being slightly dodgy of the Transit batch. Either way, it seems the former problem has arisen from this and it wouldnt surprise me if it had something to do with this mornings fun and games.
Again, thanks all. may come back to you on this one so watch this space................
Rod - thank you for your kind offer which i may well take you up at a later date but....... whilst I may not have got to the root of the problem I changed the fuse (cheers David!) and have a fiddle around the fuse box basically removing and replacing fuses. None of them had actually blown. Anyway, whilst I was working down in the footwell it all came back to life.
I am still none the wiser but will monitor the situation. JSG - I think you may be right with the link. I need to have a good look under the steering column with the panels off and replace the plastic "block". I am not sure if this is the dreaded connector that is renown for being slightly dodgy of the Transit batch. Either way, it seems the former problem has arisen from this and it wouldnt surprise me if it had something to do with this mornings fun and games.
Again, thanks all.
may come back to you on this one so watch this space................damn - recurring problem. On the plus side, it is not effecting the fan as this cut in at 90 this morning but again the battery light came on whilst indicating and the indicators then do not work - everything else does ok and the gauges are now working when it happens which is something they didnt do last week. Fuse for indicators is ok.
Think you may be right JSG with the link to the problems with the connector in the steering column. Going to send baby away to a car electrical place to get to the route of the problem as its beyond my capabilities! Harry & Rod - have e-mailed you for recomendations!
Think you may be right JSG with the link to the problems with the connector in the steering column. Going to send baby away to a car electrical place to get to the route of the problem as its beyond my capabilities! Harry & Rod - have e-mailed you for recomendations!
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