Still seeking help with starting issue.

[ruston]

As of the cars origin is it the correct alternator for the car ? It's not one they have just put on to get it away?
Have you looked up previous MOT failures for a bit of history

 

[gyislander]

As of the cars origin is it the correct alternator for the car ? It's not one they have just put on to get it away?
Have you looked up previous MOT failures for a bit of history

There's nothing of note in the history. I've no idea about the alternator but I can't see it being faulty when it can run fine. The big question to me is why does it take a restart or cycling ignition to run fine? It's as if the car isn't recognising that it's started or charging without that extra switch of ignition. At first I thought it was cranking or running that it needed before it would realise and restart properly but now that I know its just an ignition click I'm mistified.

 

[ruston]

To be honest I don't know. It is as though it is missing a signal, maybe from the alternator or the immobiliser. It is hard to diagnose without the proper equipment and being there.
As the other posts, these problems can be cumulative and age related to bad connections and bad communication from sensors.
Even with diagnostic equipment they can be hard to tie down.
Also with OBD the manufacturers do not have to divulge all the information of their systems.

 

[PEG]

Hi,is this fitted with the notorious "smart charge" Ford alternator system?

These can be a pain....sometimes,even decent quality OEM replacement alternators,will refuse to "speak" to the control module. The unit both receives and and sends,a signal,which i have read using my 28ii Fluke,but is best tested in real time,with a scope.

The system has the option to "load shed",which it does to prioritise function of electrical equipment,and electric steering should be up there...

Sometimes these components can be coded in,and sometimes not....as i recently spent a day finding out,on a Renault Master EGR...

Be sure,that such dazzling,electronic wizardry,adds little splendour to our days,is random in it's function,and usually is no better quality than the average child's toy

 

[gyislander]

I've checked and its definately not a smart alternator as there's only the one wire to the ecu and a basic -ve battery terminal. A replacement is in the post.

 

[plugsandsparks]

Dont be fooled by the one wire. Porsche use a single wire direct to ECU, the wire is a comms link. The alternator sends messages to the ECU and the ECU sends messages back. This is used for load / voltage management, fuel consumption etc etc - Dont know if yours is the same but it is a minefield out there

 

[gyislander]

Thanks for all the help on this.... Ruston your son was spot on, £30 for a breakers alternator and its all sorted. Interestingly with the alternator out it started fine. If I'd tried that I might have gone in the right direction though I just couldn't see it being the alternator.
Thanks again for a great forum.

 

[ruston]

Thanks for all the help on this.... Ruston your son was spot on, £30 for a breakers alternator and its all sorted. Interestingly with the alternator out it started fine. If I'd tried that I might have gone in the right direction though I just couldn't see it being the alternator.
Thanks again for a great forum.

Good , I am pleased you got it sorted.
I have a lot of confidence in him. It is hard to be sure when it is going to cost someone money when you haven't seen the job , but he was sure lol.