Weird Electrical Problem
Discussion
Hi.
I have a 2006 Monaro CV8 with an unusual issue!
It started of very occasional but has got more and more regular.
As I'm driving, every now and again, the ABS warning light comes on and almost immediately the dashboard lights, gauges, stereo and heater all switch off.
Then the 'ABS Fault' warning comes up on the dash and occasionally the 'Check engine' warning.
Sometimes it all comes back on after a few seconds, sometimes it takes a little longer.
The battery wasn't very healthy so I've fitted a new one but the problem persists.
Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated, I hate electrics, ha!
I have a 2006 Monaro CV8 with an unusual issue!
It started of very occasional but has got more and more regular.
As I'm driving, every now and again, the ABS warning light comes on and almost immediately the dashboard lights, gauges, stereo and heater all switch off.
Then the 'ABS Fault' warning comes up on the dash and occasionally the 'Check engine' warning.
Sometimes it all comes back on after a few seconds, sometimes it takes a little longer.
The battery wasn't very healthy so I've fitted a new one but the problem persists.
Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated, I hate electrics, ha!
Is the alternator providing enough power , go into the engineering mode and keep an eye on your battery voltage as you drive , abs can be a sensor failing .. code reader , the cel could be an ht lead failing or other common thing is o2 sensors .. again best checked with a good code reader , if battery failed due to a charging issue then that’s why issue still carries on
Wow, so many replies so quickly!
I'm using a different car today but I can take it for a drive tomorrow and look at the voltmeter.
I've checked alternator output and that was good at 14.2v.
Battery terminals are good, I checked those when I put the new battery on.
I'll have a dig around for earthing points tomorrow.
I did wonder if the ABS was bringing up a warning when the speedo died because the sensors were detecting rotation when the speedo was at 0..?
Thank you all.
I'm using a different car today but I can take it for a drive tomorrow and look at the voltmeter.
I've checked alternator output and that was good at 14.2v.
Battery terminals are good, I checked those when I put the new battery on.
I'll have a dig around for earthing points tomorrow.
I did wonder if the ABS was bringing up a warning when the speedo died because the sensors were detecting rotation when the speedo was at 0..?
Thank you all.
I never had the ABS light coming on, but definitely had the dashboard lights, gauges, stereo and heater all switch off issue on mine. What I eventually twigged was the voltage crept up just before they all turned, then when voltage returned to normal they all came back on again. It started off as a very intermittent issue but got progressively worse.
I suspected voltage regulator so replaced the alternator as it had done 150k by this point and all was well
I suspected voltage regulator so replaced the alternator as it had done 150k by this point and all was well
Hi Glyn.
I didn't notice the ABS light coming on at first, it's a very quick flicker before everything goes off.
Mine was also very intermittent but has got worse.
Thinking back, just before this started happening both headlamp bulbs blew in quite quick succession, so a voltage spike could tie in with that, maybe..?
Thanks for the reply, I might well try a prolonged alternator test tomorrow.
I didn't notice the ABS light coming on at first, it's a very quick flicker before everything goes off.
Mine was also very intermittent but has got worse.
Thinking back, just before this started happening both headlamp bulbs blew in quite quick succession, so a voltage spike could tie in with that, maybe..?
Thanks for the reply, I might well try a prolonged alternator test tomorrow.
Been here and bought the t-shirt. I had exactly the same symptoms and it was a big earth problem, namely the one that sits under the ABS block. My issue was so bad I had to replace a termination on the passenger side towards the front of the engine - I guess it was the easiest path to earth and had melted the plug and some of the cable!
Interestingly I could also see a spark jumping between a hard PAS pipe and the chassis, that's how bad it was.
Interestingly I could also see a spark jumping between a hard PAS pipe and the chassis, that's how bad it was.
Hi selym.
Thanks for that.
Do you mean this earth point, just behind the battery as you look into the engine bay?
I've just run the engine now, in the dark, (my neighbours love me!) and had a look but couldn't see any sparky arcy stuff.
I cleaned up this earth point and took it for a drive.
All seemed well for about 10-15 minutes until I was on a dark country lane with high beams on and it all went off again.
When it came back on a few seconds later it was apparent that BOTH high beam bulbs had blown!
Thanks for that.
Do you mean this earth point, just behind the battery as you look into the engine bay?
I've just run the engine now, in the dark, (my neighbours love me!) and had a look but couldn't see any sparky arcy stuff.
I cleaned up this earth point and took it for a drive.
All seemed well for about 10-15 minutes until I was on a dark country lane with high beams on and it all went off again.
When it came back on a few seconds later it was apparent that BOTH high beam bulbs had blown!
selym said:
That was the earth point that was my issue, yes.
Ok, thanks.I might have another go at cleaning this earth point up then as it did seem to take longer for it to happen last night and only the once.
I'll road test it in daytime, though, so if it does happen it won't blow more (quite expensive) headlamp bulbs!
vxr2010 said:
if it’s putting too many volts in it must be the alternator as it’s the only thing that can do that , worth checking connections as above but sounds like the regulator is on its way out , a bit of a fiddle to change but very do able at home
I took it for a quick drive today, just very locally, until it threw a wobbly.Went straight home and put a voltmeter across the battery.
A couple of minutes went by with it flickering between 13.8 and 14.0 volts, then all of a sudden 15, 16, and up to 17.5v!
I think it's safe to say that it's a voltage regulation issue!
It's off the road now until I get the parts to sort it out.
Does anyone know if it has an externally mounted regulator, or must it be a replacement alternator?
I'm fine with fitting either myself, I'm quite handy with the old spanners.
different alternator as far as i am aware , but my 04 cv8 he could not find a new regulator so repaired it , he maybe be able to help you , it’s called unit exchange in borehamwood herts , it’s well worth a phone call , he did manage to repair mine it was around 80£ , it could be posted to him , option two aas walkinshaw or rock auto but i think it will be £ , i would not start car again until it’s sorted so you don’t damage any thing
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