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Strange Happening

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2020 7:05 pm
by yorkievolvo
Driving home on Monday, the car’s engine stopped - just like that! (nod to Tommy Cooper). Luckily the car’s an auto so coasted to the side of the very quiet road without further trouble. Waited a few seconds and tried a re-start - go! Car’s been ok ever since.
Second strange item - when the car started, the info centre, which hadn’t worked for months, burst into life. Today, it started sulking again. I’ve never been fussed about the info centre - the fuel gauge is the only display that interests me. A hand-thump on the dash brings the display back for a minute or so. A loose connection that requires dash removal to facilitate rectification?
But my main concern is: why did the engine stop so suddenly and is it likely to happen again, maybe in a less-accommodating situation? Has anybody any idea?
All info and suggestions welcome.

Re: Strange Happening

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2020 8:05 pm
by arthuy
Did all the electrics fail or just the engine stopped?

If it was everything check the Cables to the alternator, Starter and battery. The terminals can fail and sometimes only when they heat up. Few weeks ago the feed from my alternator was down to a few strands of copper and the battery ran out of volts. Cut cleaned and new terminal sorted that.

Ignition I had to clean the terminals in the coil pack (obvious when unscrewed).

Always worth checking for melted and poor fitting fuses.

Re: Strange Happening

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2020 8:45 pm
by jifflemon
As above; when it stopped, what was going on on the dashboard? Warnings lights everywhere or completely blank?

Check battery terminals - make sure they’re clean and tight fitting.

Thumping the dash is never a good fix; leads to broken plastics before long! Get it over to brinkie!

Re: Strange Happening

Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2020 6:42 am
by brinkie
A blank infocenter is sometimes a quick fix, take the display out of its 5-pin socket, squeeze the pins a bit with a set of pliers, apply contact cleaner and push the display back in. If that didn't help, then you need to solder the main board again.

Re: Strange Happening

Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2020 7:35 pm
by yorkievolvo
Thank you gentlemen.
Tomorrow’s work will comprise checking said connections and removing the dash - and I hate playing around with the dash - to sort it.
I’ve been living with duff bulb, and door open, indications for a few weeks but all relevant bulbs are good and all doors are secure so I shall continue to ignore the warnings unless somebody tells me they can expand into something frightening. They can't, can they?

Re: Strange Happening

Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2020 7:39 am
by jamescarruthers
I think it would be good to get your Info Centre working. Never mind fuel levels: What if you loose coolant and cook the engine!? When my core plugs corroded and all the coolant left the car, I had no warning, just the Info Centre saved my bacon and I stopped in seconds. 

If Brinkie's tip on the connectord doesn't work, you can send the whole unit to him in NL for refurbishment. ‎

I think bulb out and door open warnings won't be fixed by playing with the dashboard. You're likely to have corrosion in the DRL holders for one and a broken switch for the other. ‎The warning covers the boot, bonnet and entry doors. 

Re: Strange Happening

Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2020 6:50 pm
by yorkievolvo
Just realised I didn’t answer questions posed by arthuy & jifflemon - apologises.
I can’t remember what was on the dash when the engine stopped and, afterwards, I was so surprised to see the info centre working that I don’t recall any other indications.
James: I think you’re right: should re-instate info centre. I'll also check the m/switches. Thanks

Re: Strange Happening

Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2020 7:06 pm
by Alan 480
years back a flat-mate's Morris Ital would stop for no real reason and start on the button.

cause? a massive bunch of keys were 'just-enough' to switch off / move ignition switch . . . .

took ages to suss out, after changing most of coil, leads, cap, etc :hopping: