Craig Posted January 14, 2004 Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 This Is A Vauxhall Cavalier Related Problem!Hi guys,I’m going way off subject here; I have a mechanical question with regards to a Vauxhall Cavalier!I have what I think is a short circuit in the car as my battery, parking and oil lights are lit up on my dash when the car is off, indicating that the battery is being drained, however upon turning the ignition and starting the car, all the lights go out. Just before this all happened, their was a pop on the radio speakers in the the car, and while travelling the battery light flickered on and off!I can only relate to computers and not cars, so I have no idea how they work! I have checked the stereo cables and my dad has had a quick check under the bonnet to make sure none of the wires have melted together, but so far nothing!Does anyone have any ideas as to what may be the problem?! I will take it into the garage at some point! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted January 14, 2004 Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 Check the fuse box.But yup sounds like an electrical fault. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark2 Posted January 14, 2004 Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 The car starts ? or on trying to start the lights go out ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Posted January 14, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 The car starts ? or on trying to start the lights go out ?Yep, the car starts no problems, and the lights go out :blink: (while car isnt in use the battery is disconnected, just in case). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted January 14, 2004 Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 however upon turning the ignition and starting the car, all the lights go out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Posted January 14, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 however upon turning the ignition and starting the car, all the lights go out. At the moment the car is only starting because the battery has not drained! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bvw Posted January 14, 2004 Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 Have you changed any bulbs lately or anything electrical? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Posted January 14, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 Have you changed any bulbs lately or anything electrical?nothing has changed in the car at all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark2 Posted January 14, 2004 Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 Powerless, perhaps I'm being a bit pedantic, to me as a mechanic, starting the car means cranking it over ie ignition to starter position, once running it has started. :P :P I often have punters telling me "when starting the car all the lights go out and the car doesn't start" :D :D Not an easy one to sort out without access to the vehicle, what year is it craig ? battery, parking and oil lights are lit up on my dash any exterior parking lights lighting up ?their was a pop on the radio speakers in the the car, and while travelling the battery light flickered on and off!Possibly a loose/chafed wire to the dashpanel, or live feed to radio has chafed, Do you have access to an AVO multimeter ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bvw Posted January 14, 2004 Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 You could mess around for ages getting nowhere, the garage will sort it out. Might be a faulty alternator perhaps......with any luck it will be something straightforward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted January 14, 2004 Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 Powerless, perhaps I'm being a bit pedantic, to me as a mechanic, starting the car means cranking it over ie ignition to starter position, once running it has started. :P :P I often have punters telling me "when starting the car all the lights go out and the car doesn't start" :D :D Not an easy one to sort out without access to the vehicle, what year is it craig ? battery, parking and oil lights are lit up on my dash any exterior parking lights lighting up ?their was a pop on the radio speakers in the the car, and while travelling the battery light flickered on and off!Possibly a loose/chafed wire to the dashpanel, or live feed to radio has chafed, Do you have access to an AVO multimeter ? Learn the speak mark and understand your customers :PMost will not even know what "Crank" means :o In every meaning of the....word. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Posted January 14, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 its a 1993 on L, 1.8 motorsport edition ;) My dad thinks it may be a dodgy alternator with a short circuit in that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark2 Posted January 14, 2004 Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 you can eliminate the alternator by disconnecting it. careful not to short the leads out tho.If the lights remain on the fault isn't caused by the alternator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted January 14, 2004 Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 Agreed with the above, sounds like a diode in the alternator has given up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 15, 2004 Report Share Posted January 15, 2004 Hi CraigI can't help you with the problem, but if you are going to take it to a garage, take it to an Auto-Electrics garage, as these will have all the relevant equipment to test the electrics out. and they are normally well priced.Avg.. 15 to 20 quid for the test/diagnostics, then what ever the cost of the parts and labour to repair it.But with car electrics i find the hardest thing is finding out what the fault is, so once they have told you what the fault is you can decide if you want to do it your self or let them do it.Good luckTony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Posted January 15, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2004 Hi all!Thanks for the help, it has been confirmed that i have a faulty alternator!Got one at a scrap yard for £30, hopefully i can get it fitted over the weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bvw Posted January 15, 2004 Report Share Posted January 15, 2004 Well done. Good luck :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artist Posted January 15, 2004 Report Share Posted January 15, 2004 Hi all!Thanks for the help, it has been confirmed that i have a faulty alternator!Got one at a scrap yard for £30, hopefully i can get it fitted over the weekend.Let's hope that isn't faulty too.We used to have a Vauxhall Cavalier with electrical problems! :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Posted January 21, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2004 Let's hope that isn't faulty too.Guess what, its faulty!Got a refund and got a brand new one from vauxhall at a cost of £75 :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popeye Posted January 21, 2004 Report Share Posted January 21, 2004 Craig. I showed you what to do with your engine.A Coffee Table. :lol: :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shirley_Crabtree Posted January 23, 2004 Report Share Posted January 23, 2004 Let's hope that isn't faulty too.Guess what, its faulty!Got a refund and got a brand new one from vauxhall at a cost of £75 :( Ack!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir T Fireball Posted January 30, 2004 Report Share Posted January 30, 2004 Is it fixed now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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