Car won't start - ideas/help... ***UPDATE - STILL FUBARRED!!***

[KarlBristol]

On another note numerous numerous tests conducted on the car.

I'm not going into the ins and outs of all of them (as there have been a lot) but some of the results aren't quite adding up to a normal issue. Despite numerous searches I can't find any record of another car with similar issues.

It would seem that the fault is in the alt sensing loom/wiring or the alternator but the wiring seems/tests fine and both alternators are putting out the voltage that they should and test correctly.

A little more investigation needed but for the time being there is progress and an action plan.

The original alternator is going off to be stripped down and inspected to see if that holds any clues. Hopefully a few updates in a couple of days time

[Ryan S]

any further forward with this Karl??

[KarlBristol]

Car is still sat in the garage and I'm still running 20 miles a day to commute

I've done lots more tests, including hooking the alternator up with a test loom that Peter made and sent me but the drain is still there. All tests indicate that the drain is coming from the alternator.

The problem is that I tested the new alternator when I installed it and everything was fine. I drove 9 miles and then it was goosed. So something in the car caused the alternator to break within those 9 miles but I need to work out what before I install a fixed one otherwise it will just eat alternators.

The original alternator has been couriered to Peter and is due to be delivered tomorrow. He is then kindly taking it to an alternator specialist to strip it down and work out what's wrong with it. Once I know exactly what's wrong with the alternator Peter and I can then have a think about what's caused the issue and try to rectify it.

A few updates shortly I hope...

[synXero]

Car is still sat in the garage and I'm still running 20 miles a day to commute

You're kidding?!

Worst luck with the alternator mate. These cars never work for long!

[KarlBristol]

Unfortunately I'm not joking...

Busses don't run at the times I work, or go vaguely near my house which is why I need a reliable daily driver. So I have no choice but to run just shy of a marathon every day. It wouldn't be as bad if some of the areas I run through weren't quite so rough

I'm hoping that once this issue is sorted the car is reliable

[Ryan S]

Unfortunately I'm not joking...

Busses don't run at the times I work, or go vaguely near my house which is why I need a reliable daily driver. So I have no choice but to run just shy of a marathon every day. It wouldn't be as bad if some of the areas I run through weren't quite so rough

I'm hoping that once this issue is sorted the car is reliable

hope you get it sorted man, that sounds like a total pain, if anyone can help you it's Peter

[KarlBristol]

Alternator tested thoroughly now and everything checks out fine with it and it has no parasitic draw....

Electrical gremlin is therefore in the car wiring.
Not entirely sure where to go next with the testing

[synXero]

Loom, meet tooth comb. Karl, meet overdraft

[KarlBristol]

If needsbe so that my car work as it should then yes my overdraft will be active

[thomp1983]

Karl have you tried dropping paul woods an email about this? He's seen more of these engines in a 2 than most

Chris

[Peter Gidden]

Karl have you tried dropping paul woods an email about this? He's seen more of these engines in a 2 than most

Chris

Paul and I have been discussing this problem. He is as confused as i am.

We have eliminated the engine loom by bypassing it.

We have eliminated the alternator by having it fully tested - the problem could not be replicated on the bench. I insisted they repeat the tests in front of me, not because i doubted them, but just because i wanted to ensure they were replicating the correct scenario.

The battery has been replaced.

So simple logic says the problem lies in the body loom, or the test results are not correct in some way, or it's something neiter Paul or I have thought of. I'm finding it difficult to offer any further advice away from the vehicle.

Karl - Barnsley is quite pleasant this time of year...

[thomp1983]

Karl have you tried dropping paul woods an email about this? He's seen more of these engines in a 2 than most

Chris

Paul and I have been discussing this problem. He is as confused as i am.

We have eliminated the engine loom by bypassing it.

We have eliminated the alternator by having it fully tested - the problem could not be replicated on the bench. I insisted they repeat the tests in front of me, not because i doubted them, but just because i wanted to ensure they were replicating the correct scenario.

The battery has been replaced.

So simple logic says the problem lies in the body loom, or the test results are not correct in some way, or it's something neiter Paul or I have thought of. I'm finding it difficult to offer any further advice away from the vehicle.

Karl - Barnsley is quite pleasant this time of year...

I wasn't casting any doubt on your skills pete but sometimes a fresh input can help, if the pair of you can't find a solution id suggest karl finds one of the less savoury people he meets at work and starts a bbq

Long distance diagnosis must really put a spanner in the works too

[Peter Gidden]

I wasn't casting any doubt on your skills pete but sometimes a fresh input can help, if the pair of you can't find a solution id suggest karl finds one of the less savoury people he meets at work and starts a bbq

Long distance diagnosis must really put a spanner in the works too

Don't worry. I didn't take your suggestion as such, and i agree, it is easy to become blinkered, especially when the car concerned is not in the workshop.

Paul and I seem to atteact these real PITA electrical problems, and when either of us finds ourselves frustrated enought to be dreaming about the problem, that's when we know it's time to put heads together. Often it is a passing comment, or what might appear to be a slightly perverse thought that is the fresh input that becomes the trigger to the solution.

[ashley]

Often it is a passing comment, or what might appear to be a slightly perverse thought

Not sure how your mamma is gonna help this problem Pete

[KarlBristol]

Often it is a passing comment, or what might appear to be a slightly perverse thought

Not sure how your mamma is gonna help this problem Pete

Haha



Peter - I would love to bring the car up to you but Nic could go into labour any day now. You can guarantee that if I brought it up to Barnsley I would have 'the' phone call as soon as I got to you

Ive done most of the tests two or three times, but shall I re-do them all to double check?

I've been trying to think what else to test/try but Im drawing blanks...

[Peter Gidden]

I've been trying to think what else to test/try but Im drawing blanks...

I'm working on it. Give me 24 hours. TTYL.

[KarlBristol]

Got your answer phone message today - I haven't had a chance to respond as it's been non stop in work

I will take a photo of my multi-metre showing the drain tomorrow for you

[KarlBristol]

I've just got home from work and been flicking through this thread going back over a few of the suggestions that were raised to see if it sparked any ideas... It didn't, but whilst doing this I realised that the car has been out of action and garage bound for more than a month now...

No wonder I'm feeling rather fit (and a bit cold)

[PW@Woodsport]

Karl surely the car is still useable though? I know it has a battery drain but used everyday that won't be an issue until it is resolved.

[synXero]

Unless it actually runs flat when you're driving ie no alternator?

Or do you just not want to use it when it's not right?