bobstersplace

Hi guys! any replys will be most appreciated!
I was messing around with my clocks! fitted a new bulb and when i connected it all back up nothing worked! No temp,fuel,rev counter :-( also the battery wont keep any charge! i charge my battery, connect it up, start the car up and when i rev the car the battery volts drop and drop and drop til the car dies :-( please help
This has annoyed me so much i am willing to send £20 to anybody who can help me sort this out!!! obviously the prob has to be sorted :-0

J4MES

Maybe you could have shorted something out when you were changing the bulb?
Have you checked all of the fuses?
Alternator?
Are all the wires connected to the right clocks?
Battery sounds fooked now too but no point wasting a new one until you know what the problem is.

[Edited by J4MES - 10/15/2002 8:11:53 PM]

phd

Is the bulb you changed in the right way?

Did you pull apart any plug-connectors and put them back the wrong way - unlikely I would have thought.

[granny---> suck eggs I know!]

Pete

doctor CLIFFORD

Hello mate your alternator will not charge if the battery light is not working as it uses it to switch the alternator.
You have probobly lost the ignition feed to the clocks
check the large plugs under the dash on the right side of the steering colomn .
If you get stuck give me a ring
Birmingham 01213591617 Richard (Motorguard)

chiark

Don't forget the address for the 20 quid

Sounds like *just* the information needed!

bobstersplace

I have tried all the fuses with no luck!
I triple checked i put the wires in the right way!
i have tried 3 different compatable alternaters and its still the same! the battery runs at 12v until i start the car then it quickly drains until the car stops and the batterys dead!

albob

I'm no expert - but if it drains the battery that quick it must be a short to earth. you may have pulled a wire of somewhere and its now touching metal ???


alan

grabber

there's a possilbility that it's a build up of static , i had it on a bmw a couple of weeks ago, all you need to do is touch the battery connectors together (whilst disconnected ) and this should cure it,

Active

Build up of STATIC!? I don`t think so, and shorting the battery teminals? yes if you want to do a bit of ark welding or start a fire. IMHO I consider that is stupid advice. More likely a shorted wire / feed from light switch down to earth or possibly bulb incorrectly fitted again causing a short circuit. If the battery was ok before fitting a new bulb the most likely cause is something you have done and despite the checks made you have overlooked something. Have you also checked any plugs / sockets have no bent pins that also could be shorting.
Bob

grabber

are u a bmw technician i dont think so the bloke who fixed mine was, he did this with the battery disconected duhhhhh !

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

When you say short the terminals, you don't mean the actual BATTERY terminals, do you? You mean the wires that connect to them?
I'ts OK to touch these two together once the battery is disconnected, but I can't see it curing the problem.
It does sound like loss of ignition feed to alternator to me too.
Alcazar

Abzdon

Im by no means an expert, so this is half guess, half deduction but if the battery drops only when running then it has to be a circuit that is powered only when the iginiton is on. Also you mention it dies when you rev the car, could this be related to the rev counter not working, i.e. the rev counter circuit is shorting somewhere (look for knicked wires etc.) Not idea how the rev counter works buts if it is a variable resistance thing then as you rev the resistance to chassis may drop due to the power going through the rev circuit to ground.

As I said no expert but may point you in right direction - you did say any replies

Duncan...

bobstersplace

Thanks Guys!!!!
I think doctorCLIFFORD's sounds the most likely!.Thank you all for replying! i will give it a go first thing tomorow doc and let you know:-) i need yr address for the £20 if it works or do you have a paypal account?:-). Please except the money because if you are right you will be saving me a lot more money and hassle through calling out and auto sparkie! or if you like? instead of the £20 i could send you the alternator which i just brought for £60 as i will not need it? the choice is yours :-) the alternator is for a classic!

front spliter

i had the same problem with my bm as grabber & called out a bmw techinian. all the lights on my dash went out, had no rev counter or speedo. he simply went to the boot, disconected the battery touched the wires together reconected & started the engine. the whole dash came back 2 life. it took all of 5 min's. your problem could be any number of things, but 4 the sake of a few min's its worth a try.

bobstersplace

Dr Clifford
YOU ARE THE MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU have solved the problem!!!!!
And now are £20 richer/ or have a spare alternator if you wish! please mail me yr address or paypal account :-)
I took the clocks out again discovered there was not problem with the plugs so inspected the clocks! one of the bloody tracks had burnt out leading to the check engine light!

chiark

Excellent stuff.

This sounds like painful experience, Dr C.

RiMo

This is what Scoobynet is all about to me. Lots of helpful hints and advice.

Well done Doctor C.



[Edited by RiMo - 10/17/2002 2:42:09 PM]

doctor CLIFFORD

WHOS Y DADDY?????

Jolly Green Monster

iTrader: (4)

Wicked!!! so have you managed to solder the track or bypass the broken bit of the track with wire?

Nice to see something sorted...

JGM

bobstersplace

Yep Thanks!
soldered it back together and started first time!
DOC!
still need yr address for yr REWARD :-) i am a man of my word and you've saved me heaps!
Just to get a techy out would of cost 40 sheets

doctor CLIFFORD

Hello Bob

Re; Reward
Dont be daft i cant take a reward for advice but if you insist give it to Scooby aid

Cheers mate

Doc!!