Some kind of electrical woe!
Discussion
Hello,
I have had my Eunos 1.6 for just over a week and have been experiencing some electrical issues.
The first one was my own doing, i left an interior light on over night and naturally when i came to start her up the following morning there was a distinct lack of power. I got her to start but the radio wouln't work, only one headlamp lifted when i switched them on and when i whacked the aircon on full the engine started to chug and almost cut out.
So out comes the battery and i give it the full charge up, put battery back in and everything is fine. I do a few errands round town with no problems. I then take a trip to the folks place, a ninty mile round trip to show them my new motor. On the drive back it starts to rain and its getting dark so lights and wipers go on. The wipers move at a snail's pace and everytime i use the indicator the radio cuts out! So i leave it over night and this morning i start the car up but you can tell it struggled to do so and then when i start switching things on (wipers, radio, lights, indicators, air con) all at the same time, it appears to me that there isn't enough power to make everything work.
So my first guess is the alternator, as i charged the battery and over a short space of time, there seems to be a lack of power. I'm not mechanically minded and have never tinkered with a car before so i'm throwing myself at the feet of your collective wisdom. Help!
I have had my Eunos 1.6 for just over a week and have been experiencing some electrical issues.
The first one was my own doing, i left an interior light on over night and naturally when i came to start her up the following morning there was a distinct lack of power. I got her to start but the radio wouln't work, only one headlamp lifted when i switched them on and when i whacked the aircon on full the engine started to chug and almost cut out.
So out comes the battery and i give it the full charge up, put battery back in and everything is fine. I do a few errands round town with no problems. I then take a trip to the folks place, a ninty mile round trip to show them my new motor. On the drive back it starts to rain and its getting dark so lights and wipers go on. The wipers move at a snail's pace and everytime i use the indicator the radio cuts out! So i leave it over night and this morning i start the car up but you can tell it struggled to do so and then when i start switching things on (wipers, radio, lights, indicators, air con) all at the same time, it appears to me that there isn't enough power to make everything work.
So my first guess is the alternator, as i charged the battery and over a short space of time, there seems to be a lack of power. I'm not mechanically minded and have never tinkered with a car before so i'm throwing myself at the feet of your collective wisdom. Help!
Could also be the engine earth-strap. Alternator is most likely though.
Basically, once the engine is running the electrics should run from the alternator, the battery is just used to start the car and to regulate the power supply. At idle the alternator might not supply quite enough power which can cause a lumpy idle but generally it shouldn't be a problem.
Basically, once the engine is running the electrics should run from the alternator, the battery is just used to start the car and to regulate the power supply. At idle the alternator might not supply quite enough power which can cause a lumpy idle but generally it shouldn't be a problem.
iantek said:
I have one of those pen things with little lights in the handle (about the size of a small screwdriver)and a croccodile clip on a wire? I know its not a multimeter but i think the light shines bright if the current is strong. I suppose that won't be accurate enough.
No, no it won't!I should check this forum more often as i've just bought a reconditioned alternator! Cheers for the offer though skinny, most kind. I'm up in east lancashire and should be getting the new alternator fitted on thursday (thought about doing it myself but i'm an idiot). Had a multimeter on the car and had a man who knows whats what have a look and its the alternator thats dead.
Cheers all for the advice!!
Cheers all for the advice!!
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