S1 Elise Bang!
Discussion
Hopefully someone can help, a mate of mine has just reconected his main battery, the wrong way round, oops. There was a puff of smoke from the alternator side/area of the engine, we have had the alternator checked but is apparently O.K, Batt. light is on at the dash end of things. any ideas? PLEASE
Nik
Nik
From my absymal recollection of electrics (which I'm supposed to know for work), everthing should be ok except for components containing diodes/semiconductors.
So he may have fried some of the dash electronics/ecu/radio/imobiliser or any relays that have time delay circuits in them .The alternator has diodes in to rectify its AC output to DC, but these are heavy duty jobs so should survive.
What works/doesn't anymore?
But like I said my memory is hazy on all this stuff - bloody witchcraft all of it...........
>> Edited by Leadfoot on Thursday 25th April 12:38
So he may have fried some of the dash electronics/ecu/radio/imobiliser or any relays that have time delay circuits in them .The alternator has diodes in to rectify its AC output to DC, but these are heavy duty jobs so should survive.
What works/doesn't anymore?
But like I said my memory is hazy on all this stuff - bloody witchcraft all of it...........
>> Edited by Leadfoot on Thursday 25th April 12:38
I did this to a Mk1 MX5 (I blame Mazda for making it so ferking tight in the boot grrr that I couldn't see what I was doing). The only damage, luckily, was the main 30 amp fuse block. A straight swap and it was running again.
If you've got idiot lights showing and the alternator's OK, I'd check the fuse panel/box, replace what's necessary, then try again. The main fuses may be elsewhere as they're not normally service items.
If you've got idiot lights showing and the alternator's OK, I'd check the fuse panel/box, replace what's necessary, then try again. The main fuses may be elsewhere as they're not normally service items.
given this a bit more thought...
As he was replacing the battery I assume the ignition was off? If so the ecu/dash electronics *should* be ok - but remember I'm not familiar with the elise.
Now if we assume that power should only be available to the ignition switch/various relays which will be open (off)/the starter solenoid (be ok) & the alternator:
The charging light is switched by a (low current) circiut within the alternator. I suspect this is what blew with the puff of smoke. The alternator would still supply an output (hence it tested ok) but the charging light will be permanently on.
Or I might be talking out of my a**e.
As he was replacing the battery I assume the ignition was off? If so the ecu/dash electronics *should* be ok - but remember I'm not familiar with the elise.
Now if we assume that power should only be available to the ignition switch/various relays which will be open (off)/the starter solenoid (be ok) & the alternator:
The charging light is switched by a (low current) circiut within the alternator. I suspect this is what blew with the puff of smoke. The alternator would still supply an output (hence it tested ok) but the charging light will be permanently on.
Or I might be talking out of my a**e.
Forgot to ask: Do you mean that when the alternator was checked it was actualy charging the battery, or did he take it off the car for a shop check.
If it's the latter - check the main cable to the back of the alternator with the engine stopped. you should have battery voltage there. If not he's either fried the wiring between the battery/alternator or blown any fuse that's in the line.
If it's the latter - check the main cable to the back of the alternator with the engine stopped. you should have battery voltage there. If not he's either fried the wiring between the battery/alternator or blown any fuse that's in the line.
It was actualy taken off for a shop check, but round of applause for leadfoot, you were right, it was the low current circuit, my friend is eternaly gratefull cheers leadfoot, and everyone else for there input. Now all we need to do is find him some brain cells somewhere! 
>> Edited by kerniki on Friday 26th April 08:51
>> Edited by kerniki on Friday 26th April 08:51
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