The Glum Reaper Returns
Discussion
I jumped in my S tonight, turned the key, the engine started, lights died, car spluttered and died. Tired again and all that could be heard was the starter motor punching out its tune 
(sorry for such a long post folks)
20 minutes later, I tried again, and it fired up OK.
3 or 4 times this week (during the day) I noticed the GPS unit cut out briefly, along with a brief judder as electrical curcuit seemed to break momentarily (fast half second break).
I set off after it restarted and saw the lights/GPS cutting out 10 times or so (in 10 minutes) always for a split second, but the car didn't die completely.
I've had a new coil/alternator/magnacor leads in the last 2 months, any idea what it could be?
Given that the car only lost power once every 2 days over the last week, and 10+ times tonight (as well as failing to start) I dropped it off at a garage which I think was the wisest move(?)
Firstly, what could it be?
Secondly, if it is the Alternator (fitted by a different garage, not the one I dropped it off at) when what are my rights/warranty if the new garage does the labour on the alternator?
Points to Ponder: Girlfriend said reverse lights came on whilst braking (only twice in 10 minute drive) and they stayed on 5 seconds after brake lights went off.
Its times like these when I wish I knew more about fixing whats under the hood. (I lie, I hate doing work of any kind). Thats 6 much needed garage visits in 12 weeks, which according to my unsurpassed mathamatical genuis equates to an average of once every 2 weeks.
If any new potential S buyers just happen to be reading, the S is a massively enjoyable car, most fun car for the money available anywhere (Im sure the majority will agree) and Id do it all over again if I had the choice) More importatly, every time the car has died its been a general item (could happen to any car) imobilisor, then alarm, coil, leads, alternator, etc.
Any suggestions on what to tell the local garage bloke?
(sorry for such a long post folks) 20 minutes later, I tried again, and it fired up OK.
3 or 4 times this week (during the day) I noticed the GPS unit cut out briefly, along with a brief judder as electrical curcuit seemed to break momentarily (fast half second break).
I set off after it restarted and saw the lights/GPS cutting out 10 times or so (in 10 minutes) always for a split second, but the car didn't die completely.
I've had a new coil/alternator/magnacor leads in the last 2 months, any idea what it could be?
Given that the car only lost power once every 2 days over the last week, and 10+ times tonight (as well as failing to start) I dropped it off at a garage which I think was the wisest move(?)
Firstly, what could it be?
Secondly, if it is the Alternator (fitted by a different garage, not the one I dropped it off at) when what are my rights/warranty if the new garage does the labour on the alternator?
Points to Ponder: Girlfriend said reverse lights came on whilst braking (only twice in 10 minute drive) and they stayed on 5 seconds after brake lights went off.
Its times like these when I wish I knew more about fixing whats under the hood. (I lie, I hate doing work of any kind). Thats 6 much needed garage visits in 12 weeks, which according to my unsurpassed mathamatical genuis equates to an average of once every 2 weeks.
If any new potential S buyers just happen to be reading, the S is a massively enjoyable car, most fun car for the money available anywhere (Im sure the majority will agree) and Id do it all over again if I had the choice) More importatly, every time the car has died its been a general item (could happen to any car) imobilisor, then alarm, coil, leads, alternator, etc.
Any suggestions on what to tell the local garage bloke?
ukbob said:
Points to Ponder: Girlfriend said reverse lights came on whilst braking (only twice in 10 minute drive) and they stayed on 5 seconds after brake lights went off.
Any suggestions on what to tell the local garage bloke?
Bob
Sounds like you may have an earth fault/loose connection. Doesn't sound like the alternator to me.
Why are you making your GF run behind the car for 10 mins, let her get in once in a while!
>> Edited by oldred on Monday 8th November 22:54
Yes its the same on the V8S. I suspect the reverse light fault is caused by a mis-adjusted reverse switch (on the gearbox) which is harmless and probably not related to the other problems. I chopped out a fused/melted connector and a couple of inches of scorched wires and replaced them with ordinary spade connectors, I also wire the immobiliser in properly (in my book, twisting the ends of the wire together does not count as 'properly' 
) and got rid of recurring problems just like this.
) and got rid of recurring problems just like this.oldred said:
Points to Ponder: Girlfriend said reverse lights came on whilst braking (only twice in 10 minute drive) and they stayed on 5 seconds after brake lights went off.
Any suggestions on what to tell the local garage bloke?
Bob
Sounds like you may have an earth fault/loose connection. Doesn't sound like the alternator to me.
Why are you making your GF run behind the car for 10 mins, let her get in once in a while!
>> Edited by oldred on Monday 8th November 22:54
I agree - bad earth.
When earths become intermittent or start to become more high resistance all sorts of weird unexplainable stuff starts happening. Brake lights flash, on the off phase of indicators, windscreen wipers get slower and slower - things all just get a bit mad.
Yours is made worse by the fact that it's an intermittent fault and thus much harder to trace. I would start by finding all the earthing points on the car, unbolt them from the chassis and clean them up with emery paper. Then chase the wires back into the loom checking for wobbly connections and resolder/crimp/clean etc ... a real pain in the arse job.
WG
WonkyGibbon said:Cheers mate! Any more suggestions or things I might tell the Mechanic? I'll print off the thread and give it to him tomorrow. Preciate the help, thanks.
I agree - bad earth.
When earths become intermittent or start to become more high resistance all sorts of weird unexplainable stuff starts happening. Brake lights flash, on the off phase of indicators, windscreen wipers get slower and slower - things all just get a bit mad.
Yours is made worse by the fact that it's an intermittent fault and thus much harder to trace. I would start by finding all the earthing points on the car, unbolt them from the chassis and clean them up with emery paper. Then chase the wires back into the loom checking for wobbly connections and resolder/crimp/clean etc ... a real pain in the arse job.
WG
oldred said:I was thinking the same thing this morning, should see what I can find locally. Cheers for all the replies, I hope it gets sorted.
whilst I sit here swiveling in my chair, chuffing monte cristos, stroking my pussy. 
I do wish I had more experience with multimeters and fault finding though
Postpone your plans for world domination and take an evening class in Auto Electrics!
Hey Rob, This sounds like a simple earthing fault as others have said and therefore shouldn't be too bad to trace and thus not too expensive. If you fancy getting your hands dirty when you get your car back, have a hunt around all main earthing points and cover them in copper slip, it inhibits corrosion and keeps everything lubricated for future disassembly when required.
ukbob said:You have a cigar smoking secretary?!
ukbob said:
whilst I sit here swiveling in my chair, chuffing monte cristos, stroking my pussy.
I'd always assumed that you were a bloke!
I was dictating to my secretary, she must have added in the last bit herself. Maybe she likes you rich
RichardR said:
RichardR said:
ukbob said:
whilst I sit here swiveling in my chair, chuffing monte cristos, stroking my pussy.
I'd always assumed that you were a bloke!
I was dictating to my secretary, she must have added in the last bit herself. Maybe she likes you rich
You have a cigar smoking secretary?!
He didn't say she was smoking. I'm thinking Clinton/Molinski/White House......
Colin Blues2 said:You mean Clinton/Molinski/White Marks
He didn't say she was smoking. I'm thinking Clinton/Molinski/White House......
Moving swiftly along, Mr garage repair man said he spent 45 minutes on the car, checked all the points, and could not find any loose earths. The engine one, the one off the battory (cant remember what he said)... which is worrying. I would have preferred a £100 bill than no bill (actually I insisted I pay him 1 hours labour since it was his time) and no fix.
I just hope it doesnt happen again
He said he spent 15 mins hooning around, and couldnt find any fault with the car.
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