#1: Dash needles twitching Author: gingdave, Location: United KingdomPosted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 9:49 am ---- video of problem
Hi,
Whilst driving my dashboard needles occasionally all start twitching together, see video above.
All 4 will drop a bit and then return to where they should. This will keep happening for a while and then everything will go back to normal.
This happens every so often and sometimes the battery light comes on while it's happening.
There doesn't seem to be any other obvious issues with the performance of the car.
One thing I have noticed is that sometimes when I fully close both electric windows at the same time, when I let go of the buttons all of the dash needles briefly dip.
Battery was under warranty so kwikfit guys checked it and the alternator and said they were both fine.
Any ideas?
It's a '04 206 1.4 petrol.
Thanks in advance
Dave
#2: Re: Dash needles twitching Author: iainlovatt, Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 9:53 am ---- Yes alternator, Battery! Get a second opinion.. Could be a simple earth strap also!
#3: Re: Dash needles twitching Author: gingdave, Location: United KingdomPosted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 2:36 pm ---- Thanks, will do.
#4: Re: Dash needles twitching Author: Timon2210, Location: PalestinePosted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 4:02 pm ---- Mostly this is caused as Iain said,bad battery,or alternator :(,and double check won't harm
#5: Re: Dash needles twitching Author: gingdave, Location: United KingdomPosted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 2:25 pm ---- cheers, will give it go. 20 mile drive to work, needle problems and a cut out stall near work. Not a single problem on the drive home.
if it is the alternator what do you think I'll be looking at? £200?
cheers
#6: Re: Dash needles twitching Author: DREWDEN, Location: huddersfieldPosted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 5:47 pm ---- Check your earth strap from battery down, as iainlovatt sugested.
#7: Re: Dash needles twitching Author: gloves93, Location: west midlandsPosted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 7:16 pm ---- I had this problem and it turned out to be the crank position sensor. Cost me 60 quid to get it fixed and she's been fine since.
#8: Re: Dash needles twitching Author: eddie206, Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 5:58 am ---- It might be worth doing a bsi reset...
And if you do fit new battery/alternator you will certainly want a bsi reset before you start using it again.
#9: Re: Dash needles twitching Author: gingdave, Location: United KingdomPosted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 3:40 am ---- thanks for the reply. only just seen it. garage can't replicate problem. it was doing it when idling and on the drive to them. off to collect. Annoying!
will get the multimeter on it when i get back. found this.... vehicle-maintenance.wo...er-318126/
will try to copy it, check the connections, and bsi reset too.
thanks
#10: Re: Dash needles twitching Author: gingdave, Location: United KingdomPosted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 3:18 am ---- The problem has come back since taking it to the garage.
Took it out yesterday and everything was working fine.
I got the multimeter out when i got back and got the following readings across the battery posts:
Engine off. 12.35v
11.65v high beam, hazards
Then 12.22v
Engine on idling 11.9v
Revs 11.86v
Idle with load (high beam, hazards, heater) 11.21v
Revs with load 11.0v (battery warning light came on at this point)
Idle no load 11.65v
+ve Alternator to -ve battery 9ish, jumping down to 3v to 5v?
Tried ohms with -ve disconnected, Alternator to battery +ve but no reading.
When I tried this last week whilst the problem was there (dash needles twitching when revving) the readings across the battery posts when revving with lights etc on was 15.6v. At that point I thought it might be a over charging alternator (risk battery etc being fried) but after yesterday it seems that the alternator isn't working at all.
If a garage did these tests do you think they'd just get on and try a new alternator? or see if there's a problem with the the alternator/battery circuit?
Does this rule out battery earth strap problems? Not much time at the moment to get my hands dirty due to young baby.
Thanks for reading this far. Any advice appreciated.
Cheers. Dave
#11: Re: Dash needles twitching Author: eddie206, Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:24 am ---- Those readings definately say battery is knackered,earth strap should be ok and bsi reset after fitting a new battery is needed...
Did you know that a battery while just sat that reads 12.16volts and below is actualy knackered or needs charging...just because its called a 12volt battery does not mean that anything over 12volts is fine...a fully healthy battery should read around 12.42volts...small differences but they make all the difference.(Note...these figures are from memory however they are approximately right+-.10volts id say)(Im sure ive read a how to on here that will be more reliable)
#12: Re: Dash needles twitching Author: gingdave, Location: United KingdomPosted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 3:18 am ---- thanks.
I wonder If the alternator has shagged the battery. Maybe try a different Kwikfit again first seeing as the battery's under guarantee then a different garage.
#13: Re: Dash needles twitching Author: macca1411, Location: Westhoughton, LancashirePosted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 4:22 am ---- With the engine running you should be getting between 13.2 and 14.4 volts at the battery terminals. Any less and the alternator could be knackered
Static battery voltages are around these readings
Voltage ............Approximate charge
12.6 V ............100%
12.35 V............ 75%
12.10 V ............50%
11.95 V ............25%
11.7 V............ 0%
#14: Re: Dash needles twitching Author: eddie206, Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 7:38 am ---- I have to say that in the north east at least Kwikfit have an appauling track record and i certainly avoid them like the plague and would reccomend everyone else do the same imo.
#15: Re: Dash needles twitching Author: gingdave, Location: United KingdomPosted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 3:42 am ---- New alternator fitted yesterday. BSI reboot just in case. 60 mile drive with no symptoms.
Engine off. 12.44v
Engine on idling 14.25v
Revs 14.28v
Idle with load (high beam, hazards, heater) 14.09v
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Could be a simple earth strap also! 
