HELP VAN BROKEN DOWN
Moderators: User administrators, Moderators
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 72
- Joined: 03 May 2006, 13:08
- 80-90 Mem No: 3077
- Location: DARTFORD
HELP VAN BROKEN DOWN
my van broke down today. its been as good as gold since i had it moted two weeks ago. It has started first turn every time i have used it.
i was driving along this morning, i had just put some petrol in it, and about a mile up the road the lights went dim, the guages stopped working and it lost all power. it then back fired loudly.... so i managed to keep it rolling into a side street and it back fired again .
i turned the key after five minutes, all the lights lit up on the dash, it tried to start but wont.. its not even turning over..
does anyone have any suggestions please.
i was driving along this morning, i had just put some petrol in it, and about a mile up the road the lights went dim, the guages stopped working and it lost all power. it then back fired loudly.... so i managed to keep it rolling into a side street and it back fired again .
i turned the key after five minutes, all the lights lit up on the dash, it tried to start but wont.. its not even turning over..
does anyone have any suggestions please.
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 570
- Joined: 29 Jan 2007, 00:50
- 80-90 Mem No: 3784
- Location: Blackdown Hills of Devon and Somerset
- Contact:
Sounds like your battery and charging system. The backfire could have been the last spark that the coil was able to produce as the battery goes flat.
You say that the lights now come on, you need to test it further though. Turn on the ignition, and with the aid of a friend or helper turn on the main beam, does it come on no problem, or does it ligt up briefly and fade away. If it's the later, then you need to either replace the battery, or fix the alternator as it has not been charging.
If the battery is flat, then charging it will get you going again, but you still need to find out what caused it to go flat.
You said that a light had come on previously, I take it that you mean the little red led light on the dash next to the battery symbol. If this was lit then your alternator was not charging the battery.
Have a look in the engine bay, and see if the belt is still on the alternator, it is the large thing on the right hand side with a pulley wheel on the front.
It could be just a broken belt.
Have a look and let us know.
You say that the lights now come on, you need to test it further though. Turn on the ignition, and with the aid of a friend or helper turn on the main beam, does it come on no problem, or does it ligt up briefly and fade away. If it's the later, then you need to either replace the battery, or fix the alternator as it has not been charging.
If the battery is flat, then charging it will get you going again, but you still need to find out what caused it to go flat.
You said that a light had come on previously, I take it that you mean the little red led light on the dash next to the battery symbol. If this was lit then your alternator was not charging the battery.
Have a look in the engine bay, and see if the belt is still on the alternator, it is the large thing on the right hand side with a pulley wheel on the front.
It could be just a broken belt.
Have a look and let us know.
1991 16" DJ (sold)
2006 Subaru Outback 3.0R
2010 Yamaha Ténéré
2000 KTM LC400
2006 Subaru Outback 3.0R
2010 Yamaha Ténéré
2000 KTM LC400
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 1149
- Joined: 30 Jan 2006, 19:43
- 80-90 Mem No: 2371
- Location: NORTH WALES,
- Andyvandy
- Registered user
- Posts: 132
- Joined: 11 Jun 2006, 20:50
- 80-90 Mem No: 2700
- Location: Sainte Alvere, 24510, France
- Contact:
Van Broken Down
I had a battery that started my car in the morning, started it again in the evening and two hours later i went to start the car and the instrument lights hardly came on battery was dead!
A new battery fixed the problem, probably a faulty cell in the battery.
Andy
A new battery fixed the problem, probably a faulty cell in the battery.
Andy
Andy with a 1990 Westy Callifornia.
Member No. 2700
Member No. 2700
- Ian Hulley
- Registered user
- Posts: 12659
- Joined: 11 Oct 2005, 08:08
- 80-90 Mem No: 1323
- Location: Wirksworth, Derbyshire ... or at t'mill
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 72
- Joined: 03 May 2006, 13:08
- 80-90 Mem No: 3077
- Location: DARTFORD
well, i got back to the car and cleaned the dizzy/rotor and it started..
but about a mile down the road it conked out again... lucky my dad was following in his van and jump started me, but another half mile it did it again.. so i got a tow home..
i think i'm gonna try a new battery, as the alternator looks quite new.
bloody halfrauds batterys.. 4 year guarantee my a-hole!!!! i really should look after the receipts, as i wouldnt be forking out another £60.
but about a mile down the road it conked out again... lucky my dad was following in his van and jump started me, but another half mile it did it again.. so i got a tow home..
i think i'm gonna try a new battery, as the alternator looks quite new.
bloody halfrauds batterys.. 4 year guarantee my a-hole!!!! i really should look after the receipts, as i wouldnt be forking out another £60.
- Tex Ritter
- Registered user
- Posts: 436
- Joined: 10 Oct 2005, 09:14
- 80-90 Mem No: 1057
- Location: Northumberland.
- ermie571
- Registered user
- Posts: 4970
- Joined: 11 Oct 2005, 11:11
- 80-90 Mem No: 2129
- Location: Minster-on-Sea, Kent: Member 2129 07784052288
yep....
they will tell you what's fooked....I had aflat battery.....called AA...They tested the rate at which the battery was charging.....ok......so cleared alternator....then did another test on battery....not good....so changed battery. They did carry a spare, but you have to call it a transporter...he went for the caravelle first, and they don't carry the batteries for them! And they can only install what is says in their book!!!!!
If you are not wanting to replace with one of theirs (not the cheapest in the world, but has a guarantee and it got me home), take you battery to Halfwits who will test it for you. Had no probs with the battery or starting since it has been fitted.
Cheers
Emma
they will tell you what's fooked....I had aflat battery.....called AA...They tested the rate at which the battery was charging.....ok......so cleared alternator....then did another test on battery....not good....so changed battery. They did carry a spare, but you have to call it a transporter...he went for the caravelle first, and they don't carry the batteries for them! And they can only install what is says in their book!!!!!
If you are not wanting to replace with one of theirs (not the cheapest in the world, but has a guarantee and it got me home), take you battery to Halfwits who will test it for you. Had no probs with the battery or starting since it has been fitted.
Cheers
Emma
2.1 DJ 1990 Caravelle (died and gone to heaven)
2.0 AGG (1997 ish) 1984 transporter LPG
2.0 AGG (1997 ish) 1984 transporter LPG
- 1664
- Registered user
- Posts: 8747
- Joined: 30 Mar 2006, 15:20
- 80-90 Mem No: 3299
- Location: Coventry Member
you've just forked out for a new battery. Are you sure it's the alternator? You could end up with a new alternator and still not cure the problem. I'd find out what the prob was for definate before laying out any more sizable lumps of dosh. Have a look in the 'Wiki' at the top of the page.
It might be a faulty voltage regulator unit (the bit attached to the back of the alternator with the carbon brushes in).
Start your van, put a voltmeter across the battery and it should read 13 -14volts. Then put a large load on like full beam and fan, or heated rear screen and the voltage should stay roughly the same. If it drops the regulator's shagged - but rejoice!!! It's a damn sight cheaper than an alternator!
You're going to tell me you haven't a voltmeter (or 'Multimeter'). A simple one will only set you back a few quid and will no doubt come in useful from time to time.
It might be a faulty voltage regulator unit (the bit attached to the back of the alternator with the carbon brushes in).
Start your van, put a voltmeter across the battery and it should read 13 -14volts. Then put a large load on like full beam and fan, or heated rear screen and the voltage should stay roughly the same. If it drops the regulator's shagged - but rejoice!!! It's a damn sight cheaper than an alternator!
You're going to tell me you haven't a voltmeter (or 'Multimeter'). A simple one will only set you back a few quid and will no doubt come in useful from time to time.
Vorsprung Durch Technik my ar$e!
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 72
- Joined: 03 May 2006, 13:08
- 80-90 Mem No: 3077
- Location: DARTFORD
i didnt buy a new battery for the van, i nicked the high power battery that was on my car. i wasnt gonna give halfrauds another £70 of my money.. they have had £210 in new batterys off me in the past few years.
its good advice about checking the components first.
will this do the trick?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/12V-DC-CAR-BATTER ... dZViewItem
its good advice about checking the components first.
will this do the trick?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/12V-DC-CAR-BATTER ... dZViewItem
- 1664
- Registered user
- Posts: 8747
- Joined: 30 Mar 2006, 15:20
- 80-90 Mem No: 3299
- Location: Coventry Member
it's just a neon voltmeter. It will measure voltage but you might be better off with a digital or analogue (moving coil) meter. I think terming it an 'alternator tester' might be a bit OTT.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Brand-New-Digital ... dZViewItem
Something like this perhaps
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Brand-New-Digital ... dZViewItem
Something like this perhaps
Vorsprung Durch Technik my ar$e!