Battery drain and other interesting faults...

[Unlikely]

Hi folks, I'm hoping for some help here, as my 1994 GR is very unwell.

It started a couple of weeks ago. I'll try to describe the symptoms as best I can. The car intermittently seems to stutter, as if not enough fuel is getting to the engine. At the same time, the rev counter needle went bonkers, and now spends most of the time pointing at zero.

The car also started occasionally cutting out at idle.

Then, on Friday I discovered that the car was totally dead. Replaced the battery on Saturday, which seemed fine until Sunday morning - brand new battery is now also totally dead.

Does anyone have any ideas what in the name of Moses is wrong with the damn thing? Any suggestions gratefully received.

[CJ]

Hi Unlikely

If the battery isn't charging, its mostly likely that alternators at fault - go see a good autoelectrician and have him check out the rectifier. If the engine still 'stutters' then you should consider replacing the fuel filter if it hasn't been done in recent times => http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m3b0s9p153

CJ

[Unlikely]

Thanks for the tip on the fuel filter. I did get all the fluid levels and pipes checked by my local garage, but I don't know whether they looked at the fuel filter though.

As for the battery thing, I can't see how it can be the alternator - bear in mind that the car completely drained a brand new battery overnight, while it should have been off. It was as if I'd left the lights on.

[CJ]

As for the battery thing, I can't see how it can be the alternator - bear in mind that the car completely drained a brand new battery overnight, while it should have been off. It was as if I'd left the lights on.

I re-read you post and its a bit clearer now - something is obviously drawing a current, check all switches etc to see if something is jammed - it could be something as simple as the internal light in the boot staying on. If in doubt, get an autoelectrician to isolate the problem.

CJ

[Unlikely]

Righto, will do. Apologies if I wasn't clear.

[johnny]

i seen this problem wit da rev counter on an fto bout a year back, any ideas wats at fault? probably the sensor?

[Unlikely]

i seen this problem wit da rev counter on an fto bout a year back, any ideas wats at fault? probably the sensor?

Uh, what?

[miss-enzo]

The car also started occasionally cutting out at idle.

was happenin me a while back got the idle stepper cleaned and she's grand now again!

[gt94]

me to stepper motor shagged bought one off camskill a1 again:)

[Unlikely]

Pardon my blatant ignorance, but what's a stepper motor?

[CJ]

Pardon my blatant ignorance, but what's a stepper motor?

All will be revealed here: http://www.funky-fto.co.uk/idling.html

CJ

[CJ]

Pardon my blatant ignorance, but what's a stepper motor?

Also known as te Idle Speed Controller valve (ISC). All will be revealed here: http://www.funky-fto.co.uk/idling.html



CJ

[Unlikely]

Nice - that's definitely worth a go.

Someone at work suggested that the alternator regulator might be the cause of the battery drain - does this make sense to anyone?

[CJ]

Someone at work suggested that the alternator regulator might be the cause of the battery drain - does this make sense to anyone?

I assume you mean rectifier? I referred to the 'rectifier' in my first post - its another name for the regulator, also known as the diode pack.

CJ

[Unlikely]

I don't know what I'm talking about, clearly, but thanks for the suggestions. And your patience.

[baldtyres]

I don't know what I'm talking about, clearly, but thanks for the suggestions. And your patience.

You're not alone there Unlikely, I hadn't a clue what a stepper motor was (or much else about engines) until it gave up on me last year. I got one in from the Camskill website for less than half the amount my mechanic was able to order one from the North. It cured the cutting out when idle problem. It's worth fitting one anyway as these are notorious for giving up the ghost on the FTO's, especially considering nearly all our FTO's are over 10 years old.

[misterbishi]

Hey Folks

Havent, inspected how the electronics are configured around the FTO's alternator but the Rectifier (diode pack) rectifies the Raw AC generated from the alternator (converting it to DC) whereas a Regulator is responsible for controlling the charge rate to the battery (by varying the charge Voltage and limiting the current etc)

I suppose if there was no mechanical decoupling (ie a relay) in circuit then a regulator failure would be capable of draining the battery!

As I do not know how this is done on the FTO the regulator and rectifier may be built into the same potted module as CJ said.

All I can do is offer my opinion from an electronics background

Cheers,

[Unlikely]

Update: The feck at Autoquick sold me a spazzed battery. While this has solved the "battery being drained" issue, and I'm delighted to have the car back on the road, it does still "hiccup", as if someone's choking it in a cruel and unusual manner.