Just broken down... Waiting for the AA truck

[Jamescmr2]

Evening all.

Just broke down. About an hour to wait for the recovery truck so thought I'd get some opinions while I had time to kill :-(

Was doing a 130mile trip flying down the motorway when the battery warning light flickered a bit, I kept an eye on it and it stopped, then did it again. It was then fine for about 60miles before it started flickering again then the car just cut out completely. Full loss of electric, not even a warning light illuminated when the ignition is on!

The AA man came out and checked the battery voltage which was over 12V!

He found a few popped fuses but replacing them did nothing! A pretty wrecked relay in the footwell was found, also replacing this did nothing.


At first I was convinced the alternated had given up but now I'm thinking it's a wiring/elec problem?!? Any thoughts

The fuse box and relay box in the passenger footwell has always looked very badly water damaged. I think I want to replace all the relays bars either way now. Where can you buy them from? Part no.s anyone?

Just to put some irony in, I have about an hour to wait for this truck, the pub next to where I have broken down doesn't open for another hour haha

Cheers

James

[Metalman]

If you have no power at all its probably the main fuse (60a?) in the engine bay. I replaced my fuse box with new ones and they're really cheap, I'll get you the part numbers and the website of where to purchase them.

[Jamescmr2]

Metalman said:

If you have no power at all its probably the main fuse (60a?) in the engine bay. I replaced my fuse box with new ones and they're really cheap, I'll get you the part numbers and the website of where to purchase them.

Cheers mate. Would appreciate any info on the fuse and relay boxes.

Dave from Jetstream rang me (thanks again Dave) and he suggested that. I was going to check it but the AA truck arrived before I had chance. If it has gone in assuming there is a more serious short/problem which needs looking at so I'm going to go through the car tomorrow.

Cheers

James

[TuxMan]

Bad news James although at least you still have a engine in your car !!!

Wonder if you have melted some wiring on the front bulkhead ? You did not miss if the front turbo heat shield did you ??

[Blu3R]

First of all I'd say check for things that are self inflicted. You've quite possibly routed something badly or trapped something to earth, lost an earth, etc. It's very easily done by anyone and everyone so not a pop at your workmanship. Many times I've read on these pages 'this has gone wrong, any ideas?' and it coincides with a bit of work done in the area where the fault is eventually found.

Best of luck.

[Gadgeroonie]

bugger

were you at high rpm for a while ?

the alternator may be overcharging

hope you get it sorted out ok

[funkybmx1]

About little wire to alternator. I no that makes the light flicker if not connected. Used mastic to hold mine on. . If came off could of hit something and shorted out daddysumo prob have better idea tho

[R0162]

Your not having much luck with that car james...at least this time it should hopefully be a pretty easy fix...

[Jamescmr2]

thanks for all the comments guys, and what a response, i'd had about 4 responses before the AA truck appeared lol.
maybe in the future i'll post on the forum and then call the AA haha.

Should be a little problem... hopefully. The car will be up on stands tomorrow and i'll have a good look around it. lost most of my day so the only thing i'm doing tonight is hitting Newcastle for drinks and er.... well, you can guess

thanks again for help guys

James

[daddysumo]

You might have melted the wires from the alternator, even if they are under the silver rubbery
heat sleeve, they still can get too hot and fuse together as mine did, which would blow the rear main fuse
which is above the row of 4 fuses above the ECU.

[sunoco69]

Could even be the bushes on the altenator wearing out?

[Jamescmr2]

has anyone got a photo of the wires going to the alternator. what should be attached?
(i still haven't made it into the garage today... far too hungover)

just had a look on ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-Way-Splash-Proof-Autom...
would these do the job?

[Rob_W]

This any good James from a fellow hangover victim!



memo to self; a bit of heat protection wouldn't go amiss

[Jamescmr2]

That's a great help I'm sure Rob. I'll compare when I find the strength to move from the sofa, at the moment im struggling to get up to get food/drinks ha

Cheers

[Metalman]

James, I bought a new fuse holder and replaced all the metal contacts on my gto3 a couple of years back as they had corroded from water dripping from the aircon pipe. I got everything from www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-onlinestore/fus... including spare crimp on terminals and fuse covers. It's all made by a company called MTA (you'll see it stamped on the clear covers) they also stock the relay holders if you need them.

Edited by Metalman on Sunday 26th February 16:30

[Jamescmr2]

Metalman said:

James, I bought a new fuse holder and replaced all the metal contacts on my gto3 a couple of years back as they had corroded from water dripping from the aircon pipe. I got everything from www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-onlinestore/fus... including spare crimp on terminals and fuse covers. It's all made by a company called MTA (you'll see it stamped on the clear covers) they also stock the relay holders if you need them.

Edited by Metalman on Sunday 26th February 16:30

that's fantastic mate. exactly what has happened to mine. the lower relay run looks like something that has been buried in the ground!

[Metalman]

Yeah it's not a pretty sight, check the two jubilee clips on the aircon hoses above the fuse box. Mine were cheap and nasty and were weeping, I changed them for stainless clips that were much wider and grips all round the hose, no problems since.

[Jamescmr2]

yeah will do, just bought what i need so will rebuild that this week when they arrive

[Metalman]

Jamescmr2 said:

yeah will do, just bought what i need so will rebuild that this week when they arrive

Good luck, it's not much fun down in that footwell.

[Jamescmr2]

well i checked around the engine bay and i can't find anything obviously wrong with the alternator, wires etc.

the main 80A fuse was blown. will replace that once i've rebuilt the relay/fuse box (which looks like it might be the problem)