Guess the electrical problem. Bit of fun

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Sun Dec 04, 16 5:18 pm

Ok I collected the Roadrunner today knowing it hadn't been used just recently so I asked for the battery to be charg d before collecting. Sure enough, all good and I drove the car 40 miles home without a missed beat.

Parked the car outside my place and when I went to start it up a few minutes later she wouldn't turn over. Batttrey 11.7 volts.

What caused the problem??

Garp · Post by **Garp** » Sun Dec 04, 16 6:24 pm

I know I once started the Chally with a low battery and it burnt out the wire to the alternator - car started then died, took me bloody forever to find the problem ...... but you wouldn't have been able to drive home, so it's not that

Captain Chaos · Post by **Captain Chaos** » Sun Dec 04, 16 6:53 pm

Loose terminal on the Battery

andyrob · Post by **andyrob** » Sun Dec 04, 16 7:47 pm

11.7 volts should still turn the engine over, sounds like starter or wiring to starter, Try again when its cooled down and report back

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Sun Dec 04, 16 7:53 pm

Already diagnosed Andy, but what was the problem.? Luckily I didn't need to recast the car on the way home.

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Sun Dec 04, 16 7:54 pm

There was a loose terminal at the battery, but that wasn't the issue.

lough3969 · Post by **lough3969** » Sun Dec 04, 16 7:59 pm

Neutral safety switch?

andyrob · Post by **andyrob** » Sun Dec 04, 16 8:01 pm

If its an auto, the inhibitor switch might be the problem, move the gearstick whilst holding the key in the start position

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Sun Dec 04, 16 9:09 pm

Thanks for joining in chaps, in fact, it was simply the main live feed from the back of the alternator had broken off due to wire fatigue. I gues the batttery got me home and then gave out

Super Sloth · Post by **Super Sloth** » Sun Dec 04, 16 10:34 pm

I had a silly one a few years back...
Triumph 2500S auto. Started up fine, drove fine, switched off, went to come home... no dice.
Wire had dropped off the inhibitor swtich on the gearbox.

Garp · Post by **Garp** » Sun Dec 04, 16 10:51 pm

MilesnMiles wrote:Thanks for joining in chaps, in fact, it was simply the main live feed from the back of the alternator had broken off due to wire fatigue. I gues the batttery got me home and then gave out

So, same problem I had although you actually had enough charge to drive.
Thank god these engines are relatively simple.

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Mon Dec 05, 16 7:19 am

What was even quirkier was that I have a section of heavy gauge wire with a mega fuse hanging on my wall ready to fit to the car as a parallel to the existing charge wire.
Guess I'll be fitting that soon.

drewcrane · Post by **drewcrane** » Mon Dec 05, 16 4:15 pm

Garp wrote:
MilesnMiles wrote:Thanks for joining in chaps, in fact, it was simply the main live feed from the back of the alternator had broken off due to wire fatigue. I gues the batttery got me home and then gave out
So, same problem I had although you actually had enough charge to drive.
Thank god these engines are relatively simple.

And as simple as they are,they sure do make one think

And then to drink

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Mon Dec 05, 16 5:27 pm

Indeed, Drew. See my latest point on my car in the 'General' section

Mick70RR · Post by **Mick70RR** » Mon Dec 05, 16 7:39 pm

Be careful not to snap the stud off on the alternator when you change the connector.