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[Grimble]

Hi, I'm a newbie to the site and came across it while searching for electrical info. re. my '96 ED Select 2.0l (8v) petrol estate (nearly 250,000 miles!).

I've had very few probs but this electrical one has me totally con-fused.

Problem:
Dash instruments, including speedo, all at zero; elec. windows not working; engine cooling fan not working.

History:
Accelerated away from a junction, heard a 'pop', instruments went to zero  :-/
Thought must be a fuse blown. All lights, wipers, horn and elec. windows (at that point) still working so continued home.
Elec. windows then did not work.
Found blue 15A fuse (No. 15 on main panel under steering column) had blown.
Replaced with new 15A fuse. Instruments and windows worked initially but then stopped. Fuse had blown again. Same with a 20A & 25A.
Noticed this morning engine cooling fan not working either.
ALL other fuses checked and are ok. Battery is fully charged although battery warning light is 'ON'.

Could it be a relay? If so which might it be?

All helpful suggestions gratefully received. Even humorous commiserations may ease the frustration.  

I await your words of wisdom and correction.

Grimble

[TheBoy]

Controls quite a lot.

Big power drawers are cooling fans and heated seats. Also mirrors, car levelling (if fitted), headlight levelling, alarm, reversing lights, wipers, instruments, displays, phone (if fitted), and possibly others....

[TheBoy]

What is voltage across battery at idle, and at 2,500rpm?

[VXL V6]

Battery is fully charged although battery warning light is 'ON'.

Could be the Alternator 'over charging' so I agree that you should do The Boy's test above ASAP!  

[Grimble]

Hi there, TheBoy, or should it be The Man? Thanks very much for your interest.

I'm afraid I don't know the answer to your battery voltage question. However, I have just phoned one of my sons-in-law who is an electrician (but not auto). He has the equipment and is coming over tomorrow lunchtime to take the measurements, which I will then post here.

Til then, happy posting! Thanks again.

EDIT: Incidentally, what normal values would you expect?

Thanks also for your comments, VXL V6

[Kevin Wood]

Normal charging voltage is around 14 - 14.5 v at a fast idle.

The battery light could be because the instrument panel supply has failed, in which case the alternator might not be charging. Could also be indicative of an alternator fault.

Kevin

[Grimble]

Hi Kevin

Thanks very much for the info & suggestions. I'll ask my son-in-law if he can test the alternator when he comes to measure the battery voltage. Will post the results.

Best wishes

[Marks DTM Calib]

Does it still blow the fuse if you disconnect the main electrical connectors to the doors (look in the door jam, you will see a large plastic connetor which can be rotated to disconnect it).

That way we can at least rule the doors out.

[Grimble]

Hi Guys

The results are in .....
Battery voltage - ignition OFF - 11.9/12.1v; engine idling - 11.9/12.1v; faster idling - 11.9/12.1v  

Verdict: Alternator not working (checked connections etc.). Cost to recon. £55 (could be worse).

Any views either way welcome. Anything to watch out for when removing/refitting alternator?

Best wishes to all.

[VXL V6]

Have a look at Marks guide here:-

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1153772945

Looks as though that may well sort out your alternator problem.  

[Kevin Wood]

If the alternator is not charging with the instrument panel fuse blown I would not condemn it straight away. It needs the current that normally passes through the warning light (powered from the panel) so self-excite (no jokes about Jimbob's predicament, now!) .

Replace the fuse and see if you can take a measurement before it blows again.

Kevin

[Grimble]

Hi again

Thanks for your comments VXL V6 and Kevin. I followed Marks guide and removed the alternator with no probs and removed back cover. All appeared ok. Spoke to the recon. guy who said he didn't think the symptoms sounded like an alternator fault and offered to test it for free. Checked out fine. He thinks it's probably a wiring fault.  :-/

I'll get the alt. back on and try a process of elimination starting with the elec. windows as suggested by Marks DTM. Will keep you posted.

Hope to get it sorted before Grimble turns to Grumble  

EDIT: Got alternator back on. Just going to check connections on the back of the fuse board.

[Grimble]

Hi Guys

My final post on this one.

All is now well, more by chance than judgment.

As an aside at least I've learned how to remove & refit a 'mega alternator & know that it's working fine.

I've posted the outcome as a new item to increase the chances of others with the same prob. finding the solution. Here's the link: http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1194627182

Many thanks to everyone who took the time & trouble to make suggestions.  

Cheers & best wishes