Electrics have died...

[dp bradford]

I've done a search, but can't find this exact set of symptoms:

Freda started OK this morning, drove three miles to train station and parked up.

This evening, Freda started OK - drove 200 yards and radio cut out and speedo and rev counter stopped working (speedo is chipped)

Still running OK, set off towards home. After about a mile noticed Hold light flashing steadily (approx 1 second on, one second off)

Pulled up outside favourite chippy and bought my tea

Freda now behaves as though battery is totally flat and will not restart

Phoned RAC - took them 20 minutes to answer and it'll be up to 2 1/2 hours before they arrive.

Any ideas???

Cheers,

Dave (cold!)

[dreamwarrioruk]

batteries had it, cold weather is enough to make em die suddenly. how old is it, what cca is it, amps/hr
either that or theres a problem on the charging side with the alternator or the belt.
my best evaluation still says battery

[dp bradford]

I hope you're right, Mike - I can live with having to buy a new battery - really could do without it being more complicated than that!

Dave (still cold!)

[dreamwarrioruk]

is it turning over at all dave, have you got any dashboard lights, headlights dim.

[munroman]

If you have been using your Freda for short journeys, there is a good chance that the battery will have had more taken out of it from the starter, glowplugs, lights and fans, than gets put back in from the Alternator.

Possibly a long slow trickle charge might be all you need, then make sure the Freda gets a decent run now and again.

Hope you get it started soon!

Derek

[dp bradford]

is it turning over at all dave, have you got any dashboard lights, headlights dim.

Dash lights, interior light etc all dim and go out completely if key is turned to start engine. Starter motor makes very feeble attempt to turn then all I get is the click of the starter solenoid. Classic flat battery. Just seems odd that it started perfectly and then died so quickly.

I'll let you know what the RAC man says (when he turns up!) Fortunately I am now sitting at home waiting for them to ring me - Freda is only 10 minutes from home

Dave (slowly thawing out)

[dreamwarrioruk]

bet the rac man will say your batteries f*****d but politely

[dp bradford]

bet the rac man will say your batteries f*****d but politely

Actually what he said (albeit politely) is that my alternator is f*****d

He connected his booster battery and the engine started straight away - battery voltage 11.72 and doesn't appear to be charging. Still no rev counter or radio. I've had it on charge here at home for the last 15 minutes and battery voltage has risen to 12.75v - I've restarted the engine in the driveway and the rev counter, radio, etc. are all working normally and no flashing Hold light. Strange as when my alternator went about two years ago the symptoms were quite different (charge and sediment lights on continuously if I recall correctly)

Ho hum, now all I need is a new alternator - or if anyone knows of somewhere close(ish) to Bradford where I can get my old one repaired (never throw anything away!) quite quickly..... ????

Cheers,

Dave (covered in a fresh layer of snow )

[dreamwarrioruk]

thats why i was swayed to the battery being buggered. they usually flag up the sediment light etc.
im not sure but i dont think the bongo alternator is a repairable item dave. have you contacted eybuygum on here hes braking a bongo and might be able to help.
bad luck going through two alternators

[g8dhe]

I think from this thread that MisterMunkey had his rewound http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =3&t=36614

[dreamwarrioruk]

i stand corrected but wouldnt a secondhand one be cheaper and a faster option, could be an idea to get a spare one rewound

[g8dhe]

Almost certainly quicker, but you never know with small local firms they can sometimes surprise you if they aren't busy ! But it would pay to get it rewound and then keep as spare or sell on to someone later I'm sure.

[missfixit70]

That was similar symptoms when mine went for the second time, rev counter needle played up for a few days, then the speedo played up, luckily it was a week or so before the warranty ran out on the alternator.

[haydn callow]

It could be just one of the Diodes inside the alternator

[dp bradford]

Almost certainly quicker, but you never know with small local firms they can sometimes surprise you if they aren't busy ! But it would pay to get it rewound and then keep as spare or sell on to someone later I'm sure.

Thanks for the advice - I have a 'spare' although it is dead.... Mr Munkey - can you let me know where you had yours fixed?

Dave (now warmed up again, and drinking Black Sheep Bitter - cheers!!)