Important! : Dials problems - please help!

1. Craigvts25 Infrequent Poster Joined: May 2010 Halifax Posts: 107 Silver Mk2 Vts.

   #1 30th June 2010, 09:34

   I have a mk2 vts and recently i have been having problems with my dials/electrics. The dials keep flickering, dying and the coming back on again. As they do this there feels to abit of a power surge (if its night the lights go bright and then dim back down again) Its been happening for about 3months.
   
   symptoms - The needles on the dials look like there having a fit, all the needles go off, water, oil, fuel, speedo, revs, lights go bright then dim back down and theres a slight judder on the thottle when it happens.
   
   Any ideas anyone? please help.
2. BobCm Forum Section Moderator Joined: Apr 2009 Orpington Posts: 1406 My son drives a Poseidon Blue Saxo Mk2 1.6i VTR.

   #2 30th June 2010, 09:46

   Hi Craig,
   
   If you know how to use a voltmeter then put it across your battery when the engine is running. It should read around 14.5V.
   
   When the needles are having a fit check if the voltage is flat and steady it should NOT move around. If it is doing so then the voltage regulator on your alernator has failed.
3. Craigvts25 Infrequent Poster Joined: May 2010 Halifax Posts: 107 Silver Mk2 Vts.

   #3 30th June 2010, 09:55

   Thanks mate i'll give that alook tonight, It does only seem to be doing it after i've been driving for abit. (when its warmed up properly) Hope fully i'll be able to get it to do it. Thanks.
   
   I must admit the battery light is on alot too but the battery is quite new, does the battery light come on when its been over charged and would the failer of the voltage reg cause and over charging of the battery?
   
   Any idea what it could be if its not the voltage regulator on the alernator?
   
   20 questions in one there!
4. BobCm Forum Section Moderator Joined: Apr 2009 Orpington Posts: 1406 My son drives a Poseidon Blue Saxo Mk2 1.6i VTR.

   #4 30th June 2010, 10:22

   Hi Craig,
   
   Ok sounds like your alternator may be failing OR there may be a dodgy connection between the alternator and the battery so that when the alternator is NOT charging the battery and the battery light comes on and the dash is powered by your battery; but when the connection is ok the dash lights up as it should.
   
   IF the alternator is providing more than 14.5V then your new battery may suffer damage. Yes if the regulator is not working then the voltage will fluctuate alot and may cause over/under charging.

   1 user thanked this post: Craigvts25
5. Craigvts25 Infrequent Poster Joined: May 2010 Halifax Posts: 107 Silver Mk2 Vts.

   #5 30th June 2010, 10:43

   Right cheers Bob i'll check the battery with a voltmeter tonight and check for any dodgy connections see what i can find.
   
   I have a feeling theres a new alternator on the way......Thanks for your help, much appreciated