#16: Re: Totally dead - but random! Author: Matt, Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 1:56 pm ----
mbc007 wrote:
Thanks Matt - i was looking for something a tad more constructive - can't have the missus hankering after a new motor!
That's the bedt advice I can give pal. If its intermittent it could be many things. I bet it hasn't popped up the EML. Which in turn won't give you any codes to work with.
So apart from throwing money at it replacing parts in the hope one of them works, there is not much you can do.
#17: Re: Totally dead - but random! Author: Addaz, Location: SuffolkPosted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 1:59 pm ---- Its just a poor live connection, happened to our 206 ages ago
Check all the connections at fuse board and battery.
#18: Re: Totally dead - but random! Author: mbc007, Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 2:20 pm ---- Can it be many things?
I would have thought a total lack of juice would limit the problem somewhat?
I've tightened the connections on the battery and checked the live feed to the fuse board - that seemed fine as well.
It's been fine today but then i've been working from home all day. You can gurantee that when i'm not around tomorrow, and the missus is on her own, the f**king thing will break down on her again and i'll have my day interrupted!
thanks for all your help anyway
M
#19: Re: Totally dead - but random! Author: Addaz, Location: SuffolkPosted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 2:39 pm ---- Apart from a completely and utterly dead battery what else could it be? As If you literally have nothing, the alternator doesnt hold any charge in its windings it can literally only be the battery connection
Clean the battery terminals and see if the connection is loose, as does it not jump out at you that once you fiddled with the battery connection it then started?
#20: Re: Totally dead - but random! Author: mbc007, Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 3:38 pm ---- Hi Addaz.
The battery is fine - it's only 3 mths old and it's holding charge ok.
I'm inclined to think it must be the battery connections but i have to say they seemed attached sufficiently when i disconnected then reconnected them.
Anyway, i've made sure they are now firmly attached and will see how things develop!
#21: Re: Totally dead - but random! Author: V9977, Location: Athens, GreecePosted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 3:50 pm ---- 1) Check the earth-straps (negative wires) from the battery to the chassis/gearbox.
Should be all present and very-tightly fitted without obvious signs of rot or corrosion at the ends.
2) Then start looking at the engine to cabin connector (under LHS wheel-arch) for proper contact
and use contact spray on it, and as many connectors as you can everywhere on the vehicle.
(make sure battery is disconnected for this).
3) I know what you mean about your boss.
#22: Re: Totally dead - but random! Author: mbc007, Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 3:57 pm ---- Hi v9977.
thanks for this.
You mention earth straps (plural). When i had the battery box off today i could only see the one that ran from the gearbox to the chassis. Are there others?
that engine/cabin one - how do i find that? You mention the LHS wheelarch. Is it clearly visible there?
#23: Re: Totally dead - but random! Author: V9977, Location: Athens, GreecePosted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 4:07 pm ---- There is a single thick gauge wire coming off the -ve battery to the gearbox, and another thick gauge from
there to the starter/chassis etc that's what I meant. It should be v.tightly bolted on there and not rotten at the point of fitment.
IF everything appears OK there, the engine to cabin loom has a big round connector under the LHS wheel arch which get's tons of water and dirt so is worth checking that. On a 1.4i there is a square flap on the plastic wheel arch which can be un-clipped just for inspecting and a quick move-around of the connector.
#24: Re: Totally dead - but random! Author: mbc007, Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 4:18 pm ---- Great, thanks.
Those earth straps seemed fine when i looked today.
I'll check that cabin loom. Thanks for the info on it - much appreciated
#25: Re: Totally dead - but random! Author: V9977, Location: Athens, GreecePosted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 4:24 pm ----
mbc007 wrote:
Great, thanks.
Those earth straps seemed fine when i looked today.
I'll check that cabin loom. Thanks for the info on it - much appreciated
Check the straps from the battery (both +ve and -ve) really well.
The negative should be quite stiff with no loose 'kinks' (possible internal rot) and the positive tightly bolted to the fuse-box etc.
Might also be worth pulling and re-fitting the big fuses in the engine fuse-box incase of bad conntact in one of those (Battery must be disconnected during this!).
#26: Re: Totally dead - but random! Author: mbc007, Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 5:13 pm ---- ok thanks.
I did check all those big fuses today - all looked fine.
I can't say i checked the straps really well but did check the connections at each end and they seemed fine.
As i say, the car has run fine today so i'll see how things go but might just go back and check those straps again over the weekend.
thanks mate
M
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