FTO AUSTRALIA

There was a problem yesterday with a car I am picking up on Saterday and this was that the car would start and drive but it wouldn't idle and the ignition light stayed on all the time.

It was thought to possibly be a missbehaving alternator and a stepper motor was also suggested as the possible cause.

I was informed today that the cause was a rooted/flat battery and that a new battery had been installed and all was well and the car going fine.

The car has been stood around for a considerable period of time and is indeed a new import and the battery likely came with it.

I rejoiced as it's not often as simple a fix.

Then I reflected the symptoms didn't seem to add up to the cure , I lost an alternator once and remember that there was a fair amount of time before the warning light came on as the alternator failed to charge and the the battery gradualy went flat and eventualy the car ceased to run.

I am worried that a new battery may start the car and give every indication of going well for a while and no warning lights show but if the alternator is stuffed its only a matter of 40 or 50 ks before you aint going anywhere.

Any comments anyone ?

your spot on there mate if alt is gone it wont show until the batt runs out of juice. Even then pretty sure that does not cause engine light to appear as said before sounds like a stepper issue to me but will also be open to fact that battery was stuffed too

Alternators dont die after 60,xxx kms....

You sure the low kays are genuine? Checked the seat bolsters & suspension bushes conditions?

Thanks for the replys, I'm realy peturbed as this dealer does not have a sparkling rep and I'll be driving the car straight back from Sydney to Surfers.

I don't want to speak badly of anyone before they've done me bad but I have to confess I'm worried , I don't want to end up going nowhere in the middle of the expressway--or anywhere else for that matter.

I have State Roads Inspection people going over the car on Friday morning and they are supposed to be extremely thorough and I have told them of the problem (fixed) ? it's about all I can do.

Is there any way of checking the charging rate from the top of the car , maybe at the fuse box or battery, I have a volt/amp meter ?

Jeez I know lots about some things this just aint one of them.

Bennoz wrote:Alternators dont die after 60,xxx kms....

You sure the low kays are genuine? Checked the seat bolsters & suspension bushes conditions?

Not being glib but until I see the car on Sat I wont know for sure and even then it'll be best guess, 62000klm is whats on the oddo , it's a 2nd week March 99 build and apparently in sterling condition, I can walk away if I need to and loose a bit on airfare and damned inconveniance --and still not have my FTO.

The State Road people will give a good end for ending on Friday and if it's a ringer--if they can tell-- I wont even be getting on the plane, if it checks out well, I will.

I wanted to get the Roadside inspection mob that were recomended but they wont inspect at this yard due to access problems.

I have asked for the de reg cert and the Japanese OE engine and VIN Nos I don't have them yet---I'll post them when I do.

Fto's are great sometimes they can even have a habbit of fixing their selves.

Sweep wrote:Fto's are great sometimes they can even have a habbit of fixing their selves.

When you get your Fto we should arrange a meet at the spit, I have seen a nice red Fto around that area.

Check at the battery with the car running and it should put out around 14.5 volts. Plus if it isn't charging your battery light will come on at the dash. It's for the charging system, not the battery itself.

HTH

Storm wrote:Check at the battery with the car running and it should put out around 14.5 volts. Plus if it isn't charging your battery light will come on at the dash. It's for the charging system, not the battery itself. HTH

Thanks mighty , all good, I can do that , good news on the warning light too , I assume it comes on when the ignition is turned on but the car not started and has a little battery symbol ?

Damn , I didn't realise that there's a voltmeter in there too

Wouldn't know what amps I might be looking for ofhand ??