Hello all,

 

Basically as the title says. I left the car running out side the house to defrost and warm up before going for a drive, I jumped in and went to drive off and then there was a couple loud beeps followed by every light on the dash lighting up. I lost my power steering and abs, all power to the interior and the lights also the window wipers ect wouldn't work. So I turned it off, locked and unlocked the car and went to restart the car, nothing. Every time I turned the key it almost gives half a turn and dies the mileage/clock display also die with it so I had to bump it! 

 

Now when I bump started it, same problem. It started beeping, dash board looking like a christmas tree - exact same symptoms again! I had to turn it off and bump start it a few times then finally the lights went off. Took the car for a good blast and all seems to be fine now. Stopped (on a hill - just in case!) turned it off and it started on the key straight away.

 

Has anybody ever heard off or experienced this problem? I had a search but only found power steering related problems only, not the same as this problem. Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I only bought the car two days ago (different car to my first post regarding the oil water problem, the guy was a dodgy dealer so stayed well clear!)

 

Thanks in advance,

Blair. 

 

It's caused by low battery voltage, either your battery is dying or your alternator isn't charging it properly.

 

Post readings of battery voltage before starting and when running.

Dead battery and/or sensing wire from the alternator is broke so its not charging.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Will get a shot or buy a voltmeter tomorrow and post it up asap! Could that really be causing all these problems? Starts straight away first turn every other time, its like an intermittent fault? I certainly hope its that simple!

 

Thanks for your speedy reply's and help guys!

Had this about 5-6 years ago.

 

As others say, load sense wire from gearbox to alternator is snapped. When you turn over the engine, the output from the alternator is low and insufficient to keep everything powered.  So if you jump it, you'll run into the same problem as the battery is exhausted and not being charged.

 

Get the wire repaired (it can be bridged easily)

Charge the battery up full (or replace if old)  

 

If you start the car and then get the revs over 2.5k, the alternator output appears to increase and start charging the battery.  Stick a volt meter across to check this.

Also check the battery terminals are clean and tight and the earth strap onto the passenger front suspension turret.

 

DB.

Exactly same happened to me. Flat battery - thought a charge fixed it but it's a couple of wires snapped underneath. I posted somewhere my volt readings across battery.

Easy fixable with a couple of red scotchlock connectors a piece of wire and some black tape

:-)