Major Electrical Power Loss

[acecardsharp]

Can anyone advise on this. Driving normally, then the following happened in this order:

ABS warning light flickered on and off, then steady on

Radio went on and off, along with dashboard lights in that area

All lighting inside and out dimming and getting gradually worse, yet no ignition light so I assumed alternator still charging

Indicators stopped working

All dashboard lighting went

Rev counter and speedometer reading incorrectly low

Air bag warning light steady on

Handbrake warning flashing on and off along with the beeping

 

I think that all these symptoms were indicative of a gradual power loss, even though no igniton light on, and I didn't think I would make it home expecting not to have sufficient power to keep the ignition system alive.

However, a bend in the road, and all returned to normal with not a blip since.

 

Could it be an earth connection or is there something more sinister going on.

Thanks for any advice.

Ace

[turk90210]

Well that is a classic charging fault description you have just given

Yes it could be an earth wire but commonly the gal has a problem with the main alternator fuse which is in the fuse box just in front of the battery its been covered many times if you do a search under charging . It basically overheats and creates a poor connection then melts the fuse/box

 

try this link

 

http://www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/ford/index.ph...&hl=chargin

[acecardsharp]

Well that is a classic charging fault description you have just given

Yes it could be an earth wire but commonly the gal has a problem with the main alternator fuse which is in the fuse box just in front of the battery its been covered many times if you do a search under charging . It basically overheats and creates a poor connection then melts the fuse/box

 

try this link

 

http://www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/ford/index.ph...&hl=chargin

 

Many thanks for that and for pointing me in the right direction. i did try searching but wasn't sure what I was looking for. Nice one.

[Saif Rehman]

Can anyone advise on this. Driving normally, then the following happened in this order:

ABS warning light flickered on and off, then steady on

Radio went on and off, along with dashboard lights in that area

All lighting inside and out dimming and getting gradually worse, yet no ignition light so I assumed alternator still charging

Indicators stopped working

All dashboard lighting went

Rev counter and speedometer reading incorrectly low

Air bag warning light steady on

Handbrake warning flashing on and off along with the beeping

 

 

Woww, what a description - now if that happened to me on the dark country roads up here in Scotland then i would probably sh*t myself! :wacko:

 

Anyway, give turk90210's advice a try and good luck.

[acecardsharp]

Can anyone advise on this. Driving normally, then the following happened in this order:

ABS warning light flickered on and off, then steady on

Radio went on and off, along with dashboard lights in that area

All lighting inside and out dimming and getting gradually worse, yet no ignition light so I assumed alternator still charging

Indicators stopped working

All dashboard lighting went

Rev counter and speedometer reading incorrectly low

Air bag warning light steady on

Handbrake warning flashing on and off along with the beeping

 

 

Woww, what a description - now if that happened to me on the dark country roads up here in Scotland then i would probably sh*t myself! :wacko:

 

Anyway, give turk90210's advice a try and good luck.

 

I was sh**ting myself!

Just an update. Checked today and had to prise open the fuse box cover which had predictably melted, the alternator lead and the fuse in a pretty nasty mess. Don't know how it restored itself except that the fuse looks as though it has welded itself together again with the heat *lol*

Anyhow, though it looks fairly simple, don't have the tools or the time so it will have to go to Ford. I know I'll be rippped off but should be some guarantee with the repair.. hoping

thanks again for spot on advice

[mikej]

:o Frauds OMG I know you say you have no tools but you'll have no money now either ! Box is

[Saif Rehman]

:o Frauds OMG I know you say you have no tools but you'll have no money now either ! Box is

[acecardsharp]

:o Frauds OMG I know you say you have no tools but you'll have no money now either ! Box is

[mikej]

If i remember correctly 8mm socket or spanner, approx 5 cables into box and 1 out to battery ( comes complete with all new fuses fitted ) thick cable goes to alternator, don't have to go under car ( you must change this even if it looks ok it ain't ) If you really cannot do it yourself why not buy the bits yourself as they are cheap enough and take to a small garage and agree on half hour labour, has to be cheaper than being ripped off at Frauds surely.

[gregers]

i too agree with the above posts,even if it means you buying yourself a reasonable socket/spanner set and the parts you will still be quids in.DEALERS ARE LAST RESORT thats why this forum was set up because peeps were sick and tired of being ripped off.

im sure there are detailed instructions on here on how to carryout the necessary repairs.

[acecardsharp]

i too agree with the above posts,even if it means you buying yourself a reasonable socket/spanner set and the parts you will still be quids in.DEALERS ARE LAST RESORT thats why this forum was set up because peeps were sick and tired of being ripped off.

im sure there are detailed instructions on here on how to carryout the necessary repairs.

 

Guys, I really appreciate all your help on this and believe me i would tackle this myself if i thought I wouldnt make matters worse. Problem is that we are doing a long haul holiday next Saturday and the missus will go bonkers if the gal breaks down cos I didnt let the 'experts' do the job. I used to do far bigger jobs than this on loads of old cars but there always seemed more room under the bonnet and you could actually see what you were doing.

With the visibility under this bonnet, I cannot even see the bloody alternator let alone change the lead. Please let me know where I am going wrong - what sort of contortions will I have to make to change the lead ?

As for the fusebox, have tried ring and open spanners but no way to get a grip. I will be more than happy to buy a socket set if I thought it would do the job but judging by the proximity of the fusebox 'walls' to the nuts, it seems the sockets would need extra thin walls to squeeze in.

I really don't want to take it to Ford. Keep convincing me!

[Saif Rehman]

Last post before bed!

 

Ace, from the picture in the link that turk90210 gave, can you not get a ring spanner in at one of the nuts nearer to the edge and then remove them one by one. With reference to the cable, follow it from the box to lead you to the alternator.

 

If you still don't feel up to the job then do what mikej suggested i.e. buy the parts from the dealers then go to a small garage and agree on a price (important part is that it should take no longer than 30 minutes for a experienced mechanic to fit).

I would estimate this will cost you no more than

[acecardsharp]

Last post before bed!

 

Ace, from the picture in the link that turk90210 gave, can you not get a ring spanner in at one of the nuts nearer to the edge and then remove them one by one. With reference to the cable, follow it from the box to lead you to the alternator.

 

If you still don't feel up to the job then do what mikej suggested i.e. buy the parts from the dealers then go to a small garage and agree on a price (important part is that it should take no longer than 30 minutes for a experienced mechanic to fit).

I would estimate this will cost you no more than

[gregers]

:wacko: :huh:

good result,your happy and so is the misses.

[mikej]

Fantastic news mate, glad you got it sorted.,I keep telling everyone they don't call them the main stealers for nothing. :huh: I hate these people with a passion, Bleedin crooks, don't cover fuses what the hell is that about? :ph34r: Sorry calm now.

[acecard]

Fantastic news mate, glad you got it sorted.,I keep telling everyone they don't call them the main stealers for nothing. :lol: I hate these people with a passion, Bleedin crooks, don't cover fuses what the hell is that about? :lol: Sorry calm now.

 

I noticed also that they had spread a bluish jelly substance on all the terminals in the aux fusebox. Is this probably a thermal grease or thermal paste? Couldn't think of any other reason as they are not likely to corrode other than from overheating. If so, is it a prudent action for all gal owners to take?