My 2004 tf has been with my local garage for two weeks now and they are unable to replicate the fault, which, reading this forum suggests might be the early stages of an alternator failure.
The dials drop to zero, then come back, the abs and power steering lights come on and I lose power steering. Stopping and restarting the car solves this. It's happened twice out on the road and I'm not keen to go far in case it goes wrong somewhere dangerous.
The garage have not seen this in the time they have had it and are reporting good voltage from the alternator.
Is this likely to be the problem and should I just have it changed? They are not keen to change it without knowing, which is fair enough. I guess they might think I'll be back with a complaint if changing it doesn't fix it.
Is there anything else we should look for first?
They've got the car another week anyway as it failed the mot but that's a different story...
Garage unable to find electrical fault
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Not many rules really, this board being aimed at technical issues, it shouldn't fall foul (hopefully) of some of the more personal issues that can affect forums.
Rule 1 - Is that you need to think very carefully before posting anything technical or asking anything technical relating to the security system of the car - See 'Security Issues' sticky for more info.
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Because advice is honestly and freely given in this technical section, much of it will be amateur experienced based, so any information is given in good faith and is not guaranteed as correct.
Not many rules really, this board being aimed at technical issues, it shouldn't fall foul (hopefully) of some of the more personal issues that can affect forums.
Rule 1 - Is that you need to think very carefully before posting anything technical or asking anything technical relating to the security system of the car - See 'Security Issues' sticky for more info.
Rule 2 - We (MGF Register) do not support copyright infringement and therefore references to CD ROM, PDF versions or paper copies of the workshop manual (for instance) should not be posted on the forum. We don't want to get into trouble and we'd rather sell you a genuine hard copy through our Regalia shop anyway!
Because advice is honestly and freely given in this technical section, much of it will be amateur experienced based, so any information is given in good faith and is not guaranteed as correct.
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nigelandjo
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Re: Garage unable to find electrical fault
We had the exact same problem on our 2003 TF. It was a ring of some sort behind the key barrel. Once replaced normal service was resumed.
Nigel May
Somerset & Dorset Regional Rep, Membership Secretary, Registrar & Archivist
Email: somerset.dorset@mgfregister.org members@mgfregister.org
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Somerset & Dorset Regional Rep, Membership Secretary, Registrar & Archivist
Email: somerset.dorset@mgfregister.org members@mgfregister.org
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X10GWR
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- Model of Car: MG TF 135
Re: Garage unable to find electrical fault
I have had the alternator go on my 2005 TF and the ignition switch as referred to in the previous post and the symptoms are similar.
With the ignition switch it later developed additional symptoms e.g. on trying to start it would only show half of the warning lights and not start. Eventually after may be 10 minutes or so I could get it to display all warning lights and it would start. Fix is a replacement switch; easy to do and cost about £25 plus security bolts
With the ignition switch it later developed additional symptoms e.g. on trying to start it would only show half of the warning lights and not start. Eventually after may be 10 minutes or so I could get it to display all warning lights and it would start. Fix is a replacement switch; easy to do and cost about £25 plus security bolts
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talkingcars
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Re: Garage unable to find electrical fault
I would start by checking the main earth points on the car.
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Re: Garage unable to find electrical fault
It turned out there was a split in the alternator belt. They found it when they took the covers off to give it a service. New belt fitted and I've driven 110 miles over the last two days with trouble.
Thanks for the help though
Thanks for the help though
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RobboMC
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Re: Garage unable to find electrical fault
I had that.
When I put the new engine in of course it got new oils, filters and belts.
At the first service after 12 months and only 10,000 km the alternator belt
had developed a split. I was lucky enough to find it as I checked the belt tension during the service.
Now I carry a spare.
When I put the new engine in of course it got new oils, filters and belts.
At the first service after 12 months and only 10,000 km the alternator belt
had developed a split. I was lucky enough to find it as I checked the belt tension during the service.
Now I carry a spare.