Davlyn said:
Datatek can you elaborate a little for me on the above comment you posted. I went out yesterday to bleed some air out of the fuel system (daughter sat in turning the ignition on whilst I loosened the fuel union on the FIP) she must have turned the ignition on 3 or 4 times for me until I was happy all the air was out. Ignition probably only ran for a total of 30 seconds all told. On the last turn she turned the key 1 to many clicks and the car tried to start, realising what she had done she quickly turned the key back again just as the engine started.
I tided up the tools and went to start the engine but nothing. Well when I say nothing all the dash light came on but when I turned the key there is no life. So I swapped a couple of the yellow relays at position 16 and 19 over again and but still nothing, bare in mind I can't remember which ones I swapped the first time so I could have been putting the old ones back in so I swapped them all over but still nothing. On the last attempt to start her I got the "alternator fault" again.
I have taken the alternator off now and will drop it down to the auto electrican who serviced it for me about 6 months ago to get him to test it to see what the problem is. I am interested to know what you meant though that the alternator could be loading the battery, how does that happen, could this be what is causing the relays to pack up?
It had been starting perfectly prior to this but on the odd occasion I did get the "alternator fault" but chose to ignore it!
regards

Dave
Click to expand...

I suggest you get some new relays and fit them. Alternator fault could be a bad earth or the voltage controller is failing. When ignition is switched on with engine cold and glow lamps are lit, the fuel lift pump is powered from number six glow plug. When the engine starts and the alternator starts to give power, the lift pump is powered direct from alternator whilst the engine is running.
 
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Davlyn said:
I'm not ruling out the starter solenoid but it doesn't even click. I cleaned up the earth strap where it connects to the block a while ago so I know that should be ok. It's got a brand new battery and I know the terminals are on tight. Keep chucking the idea's at me,

regards,


Dave
Click to expand...

When your wife has key in the position to turn it over try tapping it if starts and was jamming there your answer for Solinoid unless totally buggerd please remember just becuase a battery registers 12v doesn't mean it can take the strain!
 
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As well in the cranking key position wiggle of know earth and feed wires could show cause of bad connection
 
blimey Wammer, how many years have you spent learning about these vehicles, are they just a hobby to you or are you in the trade?
Is there just the one earthing point (engine block) or are there multiples?

regards,

Dave
 
Davlyn said:
blimey Wammer, how many years have you spent learning about these vehicles, are they just a hobby to you or are you in the trade?
Is there just the one earthing point (engine block) or are there multiples?

regards,

Dave
Click to expand...

It's called reading rave inside out the p38 bible sorry wammers :p
 
defender300td1 said:
It's called reading rave inside out the p38 bible sorry wammers :p
Click to expand...

It's called experience and knowing what you are doing in the first place. Manuals are a handy reference for any vehicle. In particular for electrical problems it is not possible to remember everything. Reading them is one thing, having the knowledge to understand what they are saying is quite another.:D:D:D
 
wammers said:
It's called experience and knowing what you are doing in the first place. Manuals are a handy reference for any vehicle. In particular for electrical problems it is not possible to remember everything. Reading them is one thing, having the knowledge to understand what they are saying is quite another.:D:D:D
Click to expand...

True :)
 
Davlyn said:
blimey Wammer, how many years have you spent learning about these vehicles, are they just a hobby to you or are you in the trade?
Is there just the one earthing point (engine block) or are there multiples?

regards,

Dave
Click to expand...

If you have an alternator fault start by looking at connections around that. A large proportion of electrical faults on the P38 are down to poor connections. Finding them is the problem. Or low battery power or low charging voltage. You can get a plethora of fault messages with low battery volts or low charging rate.
 
defender300td1 said:
Sounds like your starter solinoid to me or a bad connection earth battery terminals tight ?? Earth straps ps I used to get alternator fault regular since I had my battery checked changed was 46% never seen alternator fault since so alternator fault can be many things check simplest thing first
Click to expand...
Alternator fault can only be called if there is no reversal of current flow on the D+ line, that is almost always an alternator fault or the connections to the alternator but in the case of the P38 can also be the connections to the BECM or the BECM itself..
 
wammers said:
I suggest you get some new relays and fit them. Alternator fault could be a bad earth or the voltage controller is failing. When ignition is switched on with engine cold and glow lamps are lit, the fuel lift pump is powered from number six glow plug. When the engine starts and the alternator starts to give power, the lift pump is powered direct from alternator whilst the engine is running.
Click to expand...
On later models the fuel pump is also powered by the starter relay.:)
 
Davlyn said:
Datatek can you elaborate a little for me on the above comment you posted. I went out yesterday to bleed some air out of the fuel system (daughter sat in turning the ignition on whilst I loosened the fuel union on the FIP) she must have turned the ignition on 3 or 4 times for me until I was happy all the air was out. Ignition probably only ran for a total of 30 seconds all told. On the last turn she turned the key 1 to many clicks and the car tried to start, realising what she had done she quickly turned the key back again just as the engine started.
I tided up the tools and went to start the engine but nothing. Well when I say nothing all the dash light came on but when I turned the key there is no life. So I swapped a couple of the yellow relays at position 16 and 19 over again and but still nothing, bare in mind I can't remember which ones I swapped the first time so I could have been putting the old ones back in so I swapped them all over but still nothing. On the last attempt to start her I got the "alternator fault" again.
I have taken the alternator off now and will drop it down to the auto electrican who serviced it for me about 6 months ago to get him to test it to see what the problem is. I am interested to know what you meant though that the alternator could be loading the battery, how does that happen, could this be what is causing the relays to pack up?
It had been starting perfectly prior to this but on the odd occasion I did get the "alternator fault" but chose to ignore it!
regards

Dave
Click to expand...

Failing diodes, or as Wammers said, the regulator in the alternator can allow currnet flow in the wrong direction draining the battery.
 
Davlyn said:
I'm not ruling out the starter solenoid but it doesn't even click. I cleaned up the earth strap where it connects to the block a while ago so I know that should be ok. It's got a brand new battery and I know the terminals are on tight. Keep chucking the idea's at me,

regards,


Dave
Click to expand...
Burnt fuse box is the other common cause, as unplugging and replacing relays fixed it for a bit I would look at that very carefully as it's a well known problem.
 
Datatek said:
On later models the fuel pump is also powered by the starter relay.:)
Click to expand...

Yes when cranking. Number six glow plug when cold, starter relay when cranking, via a third diode 1999 on, direct from alternator when engine is running. Number six glow and alternator only pre 99. :):):)
 
Will you all stand in a line and shout, "Dave's a dickhead".

Made sure I was at the auto electricans for first knocking's this morning, he put the alternator on his machine and tested it, he ran it under load and normal conditions and reported back that it was all fine.
He also reiterated that the earth connections needed checking!!
So off I went. The first thing I did when I got home was check the earth connection at the sump, Ooops, what looked like a good connection that I hadn't long wire brushed was hanging on for dear life, gave the wire a good wiggle and it just came away from the bolt!!
So off I went again, called to the local garage and they made me up a new earth lead. Got home, put the leads on, put the alternator back on, replaced the relays and away she went.
It almost seems like it starts before I turn the key now, bloody marvelous, couldn't be happier.
Thanks for all the advice gents, yet again you come through and solve yet another problem.
Until the next problem,

Regards,

Dave.
 
Davlyn said:
Will you all stand in a line and shout, "Dave's a dickhead".

Made sure I was at the auto electricans for first knocking's this morning, he put the alternator on his machine and tested it, he ran it under load and normal conditions and reported back that it was all fine.
He also reiterated that the earth connections needed checking!!
So off I went. The first thing I did when I got home was check the earth connection at the sump, Ooops, what looked like a good connection that I hadn't long wire brushed was hanging on for dear life, gave the wire a good wiggle and it just came away from the bolt!!
So off I went again, called to the local garage and they made me up a new earth lead. Got home, put the leads on, put the alternator back on, replaced the relays and away she went.
It almost seems like it starts before I turn the key now, bloody marvelous, couldn't be happier.
Thanks for all the advice gents, yet again you come through and solve yet another problem.
Until the next problem,

Regards,

Dave.
Click to expand...

Maybe a lesson learned don't look through the engine bay , rise her up get on the floor and on your back get dirty jiggy with it ;)
 
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