sparking dipstick

lr2 · Feb 13, 2009

Hi

This may sound strange, but for the last week my series 3 has been a problem to start and i have had to change the battery every couple off days, tonight i asked the wife to turn it over while i was under the bonnet, it was then that i noticed, that when the engine was turning over that a heavy spark was arcing from the dipstick to the off side inner wing.

i have already changed the engine to chasis earth making sure that it had a good connection and added another from the back of the alternator to the chasis.

so as usual i need help from you chaps who know far more than i do, what does this mean and what would be causing it

thanks in advance if anyone can help

lr2 · Feb 13, 2009

sorry i meant i have added an earth to the back of starter

NiteMare · Feb 13, 2009

at a guess i'd say you still have a bad earth or a short when the engine wobbles whilst trying to start it

Pikey · Feb 13, 2009

you have a short but it doesn't have to be an earth fault you could have a broken or chafed live wire somewhere.

nrgserv · Feb 23, 2009

thats one helluva spark to get from the dipstick to the off side inner wing....
redhand, is your avatar at langley?

where is your battery negative earthed to? inner wing or chassis?

Pikey · Feb 23, 2009

nrgserv said:
thats one helluva spark to get from the dipstick to the off side inner wing....
redhand, is your avatar at langley?

where is your battery negative earthed to? inner wing or chassis?

Nope was taken whilst out laning in Mid Wales not far from Lake Vyrnwy.

109party · Feb 24, 2009

lr2 u got it sorted yet

lr2 · Feb 25, 2009

OK an update i have replaced all, the earth cables with nice new heavy duty one as follows

bell housing to chasis
rear of starter motor to chasis
negative battery connector to battery tray

i have made sure that they are clean and tight

which made no difference at all, so replaced starter solenoid which made no change.

I spent saturday and sunday looking at all the cabling and cant find any breaks that would create a short, so i am now working my way through replacing each.

if anyone can suggest anything else that i can do, i would be thankful

ratty · Feb 25, 2009

Is it a petrol or diesel?

I'm guessing that it's petrol and that the coil, ignition leads or rotor arm may be to blame.

CharlesY · Feb 25, 2009

OK, so now it is turning over briskly, and no sparks from the dipstick?

Is it petrol or diesel engine?

We need to know - freedom of information act says you gotta tell us - unless you are in 10 Downing Street and someone asks a question that will prove you've been a lying bastard for years. Then you can tell us to **** off.

But is it diesel or petrol?

CharlesY

jonteewilly · Feb 25, 2009

We demand to know ...................................now!!!!!

109party · Feb 25, 2009

if its a doosil the onli problem i can think of would be a fault in the alternator lol

mysteryman · Feb 25, 2009

My money is still on an earth problem - corrosion between the chassis and body? The engine isn't getting a good earth - well it is via the dipstick to the wing............
Get ur multimeter out and do some impedance tests
Must be a petrol surely? There aint no HV on a doosel - the glow plugs are 12v ent they? (Sorry am a petrol driver meeself)

109party · Feb 25, 2009

if the diodes on the alternater have gone. then it could go crazy well sum of ya on here will no what i mean n less me memory is goin already

mysteryman · Feb 25, 2009

Wasn't aware of that. Will it screw the alternator if it's disconnected and started?

CharlesY · Feb 25, 2009

Forget it. He doesn't know if it's a petrol or a diesel.

I'm outa here ...

CharlesY

mysteryman · Feb 25, 2009

Charles - it aint my frigging LR. Just tryina throw in some useful ideas......

CharlesY · Feb 25, 2009

mysteryman said:
Charles - it aint my frigging LR. Just tryina throw in some useful ideas......

Hey, sorry, I wasn't getting at you!

We are all trying to help the guy but he sure isn't helping us to help him!

We could be throwing in accurate ideas if he gave us a target to aim at.

CharlesY

mysteryman · Feb 26, 2009

Hey, no offence taken mate - just thought that you thought it was me asking the questions - does that make sense?
But your right - he aint come back to us with info so let it lie I guess?

lr2 · Feb 26, 2009

i have change coil and leads and the alternator and its a petrol 21/4

sparking dipstick

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