electrical gremlins...help!

[TA03ORA]

I am really hoping someone can help me with the following:

Tamora taken to work today. Heading home tonight and when I pulled over to allow an oncoming car past, and the car died. No electrics, nothing.
Alarm started going off and the windows closed themselves.
Got out. Key fob pressed. locked unlocked, got in, drove off -- all ok.

Hmm...
stopped for fuel a few miles later (was down to 10l)
started no problems again
was just writing it off as one of those strange things when about 1/2 mile later, the car dies at about 30mph!
rolled onto the pavement. same deal - alarm/windows etc.
this time no power at all
key fob had no effect.

5 mins of head scratching.
a passer by helped me roll it onto the nearby kwik-fit car park so I could phone a friend
as it was rolling, the elecs came back on.
jumped in and it started again!!!!

got it home no probs.

I'm guessing that it is an immobiliser issue and that it is kicking in whenever it likes.
Or a loose connection?
When it runs, battery is up at 10-11v.

Any clues would be very greatly appreciated.
My wife has refused to follow me around as a support car tomorrow!!.....

[Targarama]

Well that volt figure is too low. Maybe the magic inline fuse?

[TA03ORA]

I did wonder that
not been on the accumate for a while though as i never lock the car at home so thought that might account for the lower battery voltage?
if the 100a fuse has gone, would the symptoms fit with mine?

thanks for the reply btw

[TOV!E]

Yes if the 100 amp fuse has broken you will get those symptons.

[TA03ORA]

thankyou both
just been searching the 100a threads.
The one in the passenger footwell seems to be fine.
will get hold of one (or 2) and will have a wrestle with the other one this weekend.

thanks again

[shep1001]

Voltage seems low, mine runs at 13.5-13.9v whilst the engine is on. I would go with either a cracked/loose/rusted 100A fuse/connector (under the airbox on the alternator feed) or a loose battery terminal. The 100A fuse in the footwell is the 12v feed to the fuse panel.

Both cause the symptoms you mention. Low voltage might be because the alternator can't charge? don't think the engine will run if the volts drop under 10v? If you have the fuses out then just change them, they only cost pence and they can be a PITA to get to under the airbox if it goes when you are out.

Shep

Edited by shep1001 on Thursday 2nd June 21:38

[TA03ORA]

Thanks Shep.

Is is possible then that as an occasional use car, the battery charge is low, so if I just sit it on the accumate and get the charge up that this might solve the problem without taking the PITA fuse out?
(anything for the easy life...!)

thanks

[RicSpeedSix]

I had very similar problems due to a faulty earth connection, so if fuses are fine get that checked. Apparently there are two, if you search my posts you should be able to find original thread. On mobile so can't search myself at mo

[TA03ORA]

The more i find out, the more it's looking like a trip over to Carl Baker.
less than 30 mins away and might save me using up all my swear-words in one go...

thanks for the replies...

[shep1001]

TA03ORA said:

Thanks Shep.

Is is possible then that as an occasional use car, the battery charge is low, so if I just sit it on the accumate and get the charge up that this might solve the problem without taking the PITA fuse out?
(anything for the easy life...!)

thanks

Don't think so, battery voltage should be up at the 13-14v mark when running. If the battery is knackered it just won't hold a charge when stood for a short time. if it cranks ok and starts no need to charge it further. A good 30-45 min run should be enough to charge the battery up. The acumate will just help when it sits unused for long periods.

[Diablos-666]

I keep reading threads about these fuse's letting go - would it be an idea to get theses changed at service time?

[Targarama]

Diablos-666 said:

I keep reading threads about these fuse's letting go - would it be an idea to get theses changed at service time?

If Jason has had his hands on your car then I expect it has a 125A fuse already - which shouldn't blow. His team will have checked it at the very least. My car has never blown this fuse, but I check it whenever the airbox comes off.

[Mr.Chips]

I've had the fuse modification done, so the PITA air box fuse is now located safely on the inner wing. Very easy to access, but I have not needed to. Also changed to 125A to minimise chance of it blowing.