Author |
Message |
trawler55 Unregistered guest Posted From: 112.118.51.92
| Posted on Thursday, 29 September, 2011 - 16:29: | |
Dear Experts,just started having problem,s with unlocking and starting the car.If I use the remote for unlocking and stick the key in the ignition and turn ,there is a click and all goes dark with no power.Couple of times if I wait it comes good again,but then same thing happens.Now all dead with no amount of waiting for a reset.Any ideas or suggestions.Brgds Nigel
(Message approved by david_gore) |
Paul Yorke
Grand Master Username: paul_yorke
Post Number: 802 Registered: 6-2006
| Posted on Friday, 30 September, 2011 - 09:18: | |
Hi Nigel, I'd turn the battery switch on and off a few times. Check battery Terminals. Check Alternator connections , the big lead in particular. Check cable from alternator back to car, the smaller lead that goes to the thick lead on teh alternator. Does EVERYTHING go dark?. |
Bill Payne
Frequent User Username: wimpy
Post Number: 70 Registered: 1-2007
| Posted on Friday, 30 September, 2011 - 11:39: | |
If your headlights work, the battery terminals need cleaning. Otherwise what Paul said. |
David Gore
Moderator Username: david_gore
Post Number: 1035 Registered: 4-2003
| Posted on Friday, 30 September, 2011 - 13:56: | |
Nigel is located in Hong Kong where the humidity is known to cause problems with electrical terminal corrosion. I suspect the problem may be with the alternator and/or battery positive cable terminations in the engine bay. These should be cleaned along with the battery terminals AFTER disconnecting the battery leads. A good soaking of all the wiring loom connectors in the engine bay with electrical contact cleaner might also be a good starting point. |
Nigel Parker
Yet to post message Username: trawler
Post Number: 1 Registered: 9-2011
| Posted on Tuesday, 04 October, 2011 - 11:09: | |
Many thanks to all.It was a battery terminal problem,when I bought the car did not check everything and it crept up on me.Brgds Nigel |
Jan Forrest
Prolific User Username: got_one
Post Number: 254 Registered: 1-2008
| Posted on Wednesday, 05 October, 2011 - 18:47: | |
As a long time buyer of cars that are - shall we say, no longer in the first flush of youth - I have learned that it's important to have a very large tub of any make of 'petroleum jelly' to hand. Any time an electrical joint has to be split and remade, an earth contact checked or a battery replaced I've cleaned all the relevent surfaces followed by a good coating of the jelly. It keeps out the main corrosion causing agents: water and oxygen. Without these present the joints will stay sound and electrically conductive for years in almost any conditions. Only under the most arduous of conditions, such as inside a towing electrics socket, will the jelly need renewing. Even then annually is normally sufficient. |