Charging Indication

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yorkievolvo
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Charging Indication

Post by yorkievolvo » Thu Apr 08, 2021 3:08 pm

Driving this morning, I noticed the charging needle was way over to the right of the red sector.
I guess that's over-charging; can anybody tell me what's my next course of action , please?
My car is a turbo-auto ( don't know if that's relevant).
All help / info gratefully received.

jifflemon
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Re: Charging Indication

Post by jifflemon » Thu Apr 08, 2021 3:25 pm

Got a Volt meter?

The centre pods aren't the most accurate thing in the world....

If its anything over 15V then stop driving it - You'll boil the battery dry and possibly hurt the electronics.

Assuming your battery is ok (it's starts up ok?), then it's straight to new alternator.

yorkievolvo
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Re: Charging Indication

Post by yorkievolvo » Thu Apr 08, 2021 8:39 pm

Thanks for the feedback, jifflemon, I'll check in the morning.

yorkievolvo
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Re: Charging Indication

Post by yorkievolvo » Fri Apr 09, 2021 11:06 am

Just checked - meter connected to battery cables.
Revved engine and meter read 11.7V.
So, this points to gauge ? And can it be sorted?
Also, shall need to sort out voltage drop again.

jifflemon
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Re: Charging Indication

Post by jifflemon » Fri Apr 09, 2021 2:19 pm

11.7v is no charge what so ever - That's less than battery voltage.

Does the warning light come on when you first switch the ignition on?

yorkievolvo
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Re: Charging Indication

Post by yorkievolvo » Fri Apr 09, 2021 7:22 pm

Sorry: finger trouble! 13.7V was correct figure.
Checked again this morning when I went to the ATM.
In the car park asked a Scots bloke to help by holding the engine at 2,000 revs - 13.8V.
After obliging we had a little chat and it turned out he'd come down from Dundee to buy a car.
Wished him good trip and we both went on our ways.
Do I need a replacement gauge or should I cover it with a sticker (learned from 'The Big Bang Theory')?

jifflemon
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Re: Charging Indication

Post by jifflemon » Fri Apr 09, 2021 7:52 pm

Charge rate is more than fine - sounds like the gauge needs recalibrating (apply the sticker!)

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jamescarruthers
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Re: Charging Indication

Post by jamescarruthers » Fri Apr 09, 2021 10:28 pm

If you open the gauge up, you can trim the needle position with the little potentiometer in there. You may even be able to physically remove the needle and replace it closer to the correct piece of the scale.

I had one like yours though and once it mis-read I couldn’t t get it back with the little adjustment potentiometer.
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

yorkievolvo
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Re: Charging Indication

Post by yorkievolvo » Sat Apr 10, 2021 9:22 am

Thank you, gentlemen.
Sticker it is until the dash is removed when the way becomes available to send the info centre to Brinkie.
However, with 'banana' fingers, it might be a case of a replacement gauge: so I'll ask the question - has anybody got a spare for sale?
Have a good weekend.

jifflemon
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Re: Charging Indication

Post by jifflemon » Sat Apr 10, 2021 10:21 am

If you can live without the gauge for a few days and ship it to me, I'm happy to check it, adjust it and send it back?

If you block the boost pipe, you could still use the car.

yorkievolvo
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Re: Charging Indication

Post by yorkievolvo » Sat Apr 10, 2021 6:53 pm

Thanks jifflemon; I'll have a look at removing it on the morrow.
However, what I don't understand is what it has to do with the boost pipe.
If it gets complicated, it will not be accomplished - I'll live with the red-boxed needle.

jifflemon
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Re: Charging Indication

Post by jifflemon » Sat Apr 10, 2021 7:26 pm

The turbo gauge has an air pipe from the engine. If you remove the gauge you need to block the pipe

yorkievolvo
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Re: Charging Indication

Post by yorkievolvo » Sun Apr 11, 2021 12:44 pm

Getting complicated.
Will have a look and then decide what to do - still leaning towards a red sticker!

Alan 480
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Re: Charging Indication

Post by Alan 480 » Sun Apr 11, 2021 3:59 pm

yorkievolvo wrote:
Sun Apr 11, 2021 12:44 pm
Getting complicated.
Will have a look and then decide what to do - still leaning towards a red sticker!
like oil pressure gauges, just a worry, spend too much time stressing, red light is fine :wink:
Alan

480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1

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dcwalker
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Re: Charging Indication

Post by dcwalker » Sun Apr 11, 2021 6:05 pm

:lol: too much information for your liking, isn't it Alan?!

David
Current: 1994 480 GT, 1996 460 CD & 1997 440 LE with lots of optional extras & 2007 V50 SE Sport
Previous: Celebration 331 (re-homed with Richard S), Celebration 467 (returned to Martin Mc); Celebration 346 (re-homed with Alan480); Celebration 269 (scrapped abandoned project), Celebration 73 (sold on after 6 years), 1992 ES, 1988 ES - and numerous other non-480 Volvos!

jifflemon
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Re: Charging Indication

Post by jifflemon » Mon Apr 12, 2021 10:26 am

yorkievolvo wrote:
Sun Apr 11, 2021 12:44 pm
Getting complicated.
Will have a look and then decide what to do - still leaning towards a red sticker!
The pod is clipped in from the sides.
Has two connecter on the rear, one electrical, one boost pressure.
Pop those off, block the boost pressure pipe.

Simples :)

Alan 480
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Re: Charging Indication

Post by Alan 480 » Mon Apr 12, 2021 6:04 pm

dcwalker wrote:
Sun Apr 11, 2021 6:05 pm
:lol: too much information for your liking, isn't it Alan?!

David
aye 'blissful ignorance' from having had oil pressure and 'ammeter' on early cars......
Alan

480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1

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