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Author Topic: Does this sound Dodgy - Auto Elec  (Read 13848 times)

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Offline prodigyrf

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Re: Does this sound Dodgy - Auto Elec
« Reply #25 on: October 01, 2015, 07:56:10 PM »
Time to really nut out the problem-
http://www.4wdaction.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=210&t=139579&sid=af2bf09ee0ca249f3e43b00ab8ad2559

These bloody ECUs are getting too smart for our own good and here's an example with my Suzy SX4. 5600km towing the Jayco from Adelaide to Alice and the Rock and back and purrs like a kitten except for a couple of solo trips out to the Olgas from Yulara campsite. On 4 occasions the engine warning light goes on and that means the cruise control stops working immediately but other than that it still runs fine and I clear the engine light by disconnecting the battery each time. No probs whatsoever on the home trip towing and none since.

I suspect the battery is coming to the end of its life like the first one I inherited secondhand and that showed as an error code with the airbag light when the missus placed a heavy load of books on the passenger seat and they have a micro sensor pad in it couple to the inertia seat belt and ultimately the dash airbag. A new battery then and a reflash and no probs for a couple of years. Does a weakening battery spell problems for the ECU even if the car starts fine?
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Offline prodigyrf

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Re: Does this sound Dodgy - Auto Elec
« Reply #26 on: October 01, 2015, 08:13:33 PM »
Oh yeah the interesting point the BIL came across with sis' Holden Astra battery going flat and he was chatting to a leccy about it when buying a new battery, although the old one charged up well but would randomly go flat sitting for a few days. He was told to charge the new battery completely before installing it and make sure he disconnected the old one for a few mins and then connect the new one up and that would train the ECU to know what a full charge looked like. Then the ECU would know what to charge it to and is it a bit like training the battery monitor on a laptop here? (in that case they advise running the battery down almost flat occasionally to let the monitor know what flat is). Perhaps with the BT50 you need to pull the battery lead and charge the battery fully independently and then connect up (conveniently do it overnight) I've meant to do that with the Zook but so far no probs.
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Offline ATC

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Re: Does this sound Dodgy - Auto Elec
« Reply #27 on: October 01, 2015, 08:40:56 PM »
Quote from: KingBilly on September 30, 2015, 06:49:27 PM
Yep, and I have some freshly squeezed snake oil to supplement the Hiclones and Couplertec.  Guaranteed to work or you money back*

KB

* on submission of a certified engineer's report, at owner's expense

Does sand stick to the snake oil, or can you spray it on and hit the beach?

If it goes inside the doors does it have the musky smell or is it pine scented?

If rats chew on the wiring, and it's been sprayed with snake oil, do they die in the car, or wander off?

How much is needed to treat a dual cab?
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Re: Does this sound Dodgy - Auto Elec
« Reply #28 on: October 01, 2015, 08:51:57 PM »
Quote from: ATC on October 01, 2015, 08:40:56 PM
Does sand stick to the snake oil, or can you spray it on and hit the beach?

It's like Teflon mate.  No issues with sand

If it goes inside the doors does it have the musky smell or is it pine scented?

No smell (but tastes a bit like chicken)

If rats chew on the wiring, and it's been sprayed with snake oil, do they die in the car, or wander off?

Deadly, but not instant.  They won't stay around and smell

How much is needed to treat a dual cab?

About 500 ml if mixed according to instructions.  We have an "Easy Finance" option if interested

KB
« Last Edit: October 01, 2015, 08:53:36 PM by KingBilly »
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Offline carlyle

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Re: Does this sound Dodgy - Auto Elec
« Reply #29 on: October 01, 2015, 10:42:26 PM »
Sounds very similar to my experience. I have a 2012 BT50 and like you after 6 months of ownership if I didn't start the car for 2/3 days the battery would be flat. First time they blamed it on accessories installed (reverse camera, spot lights, iphones attached to usb when off). Kept happening and by the time I bothered doing anything about it, it was 13 mths old and batteries have 12 mths warranty.

So I buy a new bigger non mazda battery and it happens again. This time they admit it has a faulty alternator which they replaced under warranty. I then had the service department contact Mazda explaining the situation and was able to get them to reimburse me for my battery purchase as it was the alternator's fault in the first place.

So I would be asking them to check the alternator.

The battery issue was a very common problem in the BT50's and rangers around that time, seems to have fixed itself in the newer models.
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Offline BaseCamp

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Re: Does this sound Dodgy - Auto Elec
« Reply #30 on: October 02, 2015, 10:57:18 AM »
Pretty much all of the ensuing banter heaped on what I posted could easily be refuted - but as this is Moggy's thread about his issues - I will leave my previous comments stand - and will not be posting again on this matter.

For the open minded among us; the guys at Couplertec have stated that their system has not been banned in the USA for any reason - including shonk...   (I guess that means they are telling me barefaced lies then??)..

The company has worldwide patients on their technology; including for the USA...   Their Canadian wholesaler sells 50,000 units pa..   

As my previously main point stated - I have had a unit for 6 years and was only speaking from my personal; first-hand experience on the subject.. 

I thought myswaggers was about asking questions (like Moggy did); and sharing first-hand experiences; (like I did...).     Banter that becomes sarcastic and flaming detracts from the quality of the forum.   
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Offline prodigyrf

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Re: Does this sound Dodgy - Auto Elec
« Reply #31 on: October 02, 2015, 12:06:51 PM »
"The company has worldwide patients on their technology"
I thought this post was about tugs feeling a bit flat but now I'm curious as to what ails them?
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There's no Great Evil conspiracy against consumers within engineering, manufacturing and supply. Just the many tradeoffs incurred to satisfy diverse tastes, priorities and wallets. But first comes all the insatiable Gummint eggsperts, nanny-staters and usual suspects.

Offline Oldandslow

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Re: Does this sound Dodgy - Auto Elec
« Reply #32 on: October 02, 2015, 07:03:05 PM »
I had a very similar problem with my Hyundai IX35, leave it for more than three days and the battery would be too flat to start it. Dealer said there was no problem when I reported at at first service. I reported it again at second service and they still couldn't find a problem. After 2 years of constantly charging the battery it was stuffed so I replaced it at my cost. At the third service (3 years old) I told them they had the car until it was fixed, service manager replied that it was very difficult to locate the problem so I explained to him how to find it. Received a call a few hours later saying they had isolated the problem to a faulty radio unit and they would contact Hyundai to see if they would cover it under warranty. I explained that if Hyundai didn't cover it then they would have to as it was reported about 5 times starting with the first service. Radio unit was replaced and no further problem. If you can't leave your car for a week without the battery going flat then there is definitely a problem with the electrics.
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Offline Cyclone71

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Re: Does this sound Dodgy - Auto Elec
« Reply #33 on: October 02, 2015, 07:38:09 PM »
I had a similar problem with a rodeo it turned out the diesel fuel pressure sensor was not reading correctly and every 20-30 min would give the fuel pump a quick buzz even with all keys etc off, after a few days flat battery. Replaced sensor all good took about 6 months to find and then another few weeks to be sure, I wired a little buzzer into the fuel pump circuit and spent a day near by working in the yard and wow that thing got annoying after a while 
May not be your issue but just something that I have experienced.
Cheers
Cyclone71


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« Last Edit: October 02, 2015, 07:47:26 PM by Cyclone71 »
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Offline cruza driver

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Re: Does this sound Dodgy - Auto Elec
« Reply #34 on: October 02, 2015, 10:17:41 PM »
Also if the weather is hot and your BT is parked outside or maybe inside for that matter, there is a fan behind the radio/screen in the dash. When the cabin temp rises the fan comes on and cools what I presume is the radio/screen in hot weather.

I have heard mine a few times running (BT switched off) when hopping in on a hot day. Something else to think about?
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Offline prodigyrf

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Re: Does this sound Dodgy - Auto Elec
« Reply #35 on: October 03, 2015, 12:02:43 AM »
Yeah BIL's VE Commodore would unlock itself overnight and he thought he was getting oldtimers disease forgetting to lock it and the radio screen would stay on and flatten the battery. The aircon was playing up too when he took it in just before the warranty expired. Known problems, new door actuator/s and a new thermostat in the aircon ducting and OK for the time being. There's too much electrical goodies all connected to the car brain to go wrong nowadays and then there's that problem of constant vs variable alternator design to consider when adding aftermarket gear in a bit of a lottery. Perhaps my Suzy gets used to running the 3 way fridge at 10.5 amps and has a bit of of a hernia working out what's going on solo. Buggered if I know and neither do half the eggsperts nowadays. If the gremlins and ghosts have gone on holidays for a while leave well enough alone I say  ;D
« Last Edit: October 03, 2015, 12:04:39 AM by prodigyrf »
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Offline bazt

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Re: Does this sound Dodgy - Auto Elec
« Reply #36 on: October 20, 2015, 10:36:07 PM »
Not my 4b but replaced the battery in my Golf R in June last year. Original had lasted 3 years. For the next 13 months had a flat battery 8 times, car usage and electrics had not changed, only the battery.
Took it back to the battery seller in July this year, they tested it, said it was OK, see you later. Flat two weeks later, took it back, retested it, still OK.
Fortunately I have known the owner for 40 odd years and he asked why I was hanging around the shop. I told him and he said see him if it happened again, 1 week later was flat again, took it back, saw the boss and he tested it.
Same result, tester says its OK. I say its not. He offers to put a new battery in it but I will have to pay for the battery if the fault reoccured.
I said fair enough.
New battery hasn't gone flat since early August.
Moral of the story, Dont believe these fancy battery testers
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Offline prodigyrf

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Re: Does this sound Dodgy - Auto Elec
« Reply #37 on: October 21, 2015, 12:15:03 AM »
Quote from: bazt on October 20, 2015, 10:36:07 PM
Same result, tester says its OK. I say its not. He offers to put a new battery in it but I will have to pay for the battery if the fault reoccured.
I said fair enough.
New battery hasn't gone flat since early August.
Moral of the story, Dont believe these fancy battery testers
It can be a little more complex than that nowadays-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF1gijj03_0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6rDTtxaeJ4
So imagine if the old battery tests OK (still within its useable range) but there's a minor parasitic draw problem which a new battery disguises for 12 months or so and then the problem returns as the battery ages? Naturally a new battery will fix it again. The owner may even have decided to change battery brands because BrandX are crap and don't last as he tells all his mates. There are a lot more demands on batteries nowadays and a lot more to go wrong with electrical/electronic systems that can confound even the experts and the battery cops the blame.
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There's no Great Evil conspiracy against consumers within engineering, manufacturing and supply. Just the many tradeoffs incurred to satisfy diverse tastes, priorities and wallets. But first comes all the insatiable Gummint eggsperts, nanny-staters and usual suspects.

Offline prodigyrf

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Re: Does this sound Dodgy - Auto Elec
« Reply #38 on: October 25, 2015, 08:27:55 PM »
Hmmm... don't ditch yer Veedub diesel just yet-
https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/business/technology/a/29862600/tesla-slammed-by-consumer-reports/
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There's no Great Evil conspiracy against consumers within engineering, manufacturing and supply. Just the many tradeoffs incurred to satisfy diverse tastes, priorities and wallets. But first comes all the insatiable Gummint eggsperts, nanny-staters and usual suspects.
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