Engine Management Warning Light, plus.

[Troubledshooter]

I have had an 'L' reg 8v Auto for five years without too many problems, but yesterday on startup the Engine Management Light stayed on along with the Airbag warning light, and after a while the 'Sports' mode light started flashing.
I had a Hospital appointment and as the car seemed to drive without a problem, I set off.
The vehicle drove without problem for a few miles, but I then found I was stuck in top gear.
After coming out of the Hospital an hour later, the warning lights were still on but all gears were available for a few miles, & then stuck in top gear.
I have booked in for a Tech 1 diagnostics check, but not until next Tuesday.
Anyone got any ideas ?

[Kieran_Burns]

In order:

Cancel the booking
Look here: <a href="http://www.clubcalibra.net/forum/showthread.php?t=10784" target="_blank">http://www.clubcalibra.net/forum/showthread.php?t=10784</a>
Follow the instructions
come back here
get help
buy us all a drink with the money saved.

Good Luck

[Stupink]

I'd also put a multimeter if you have one across the battery..
with that many faults occuring you're potentially looking at a duff alternator making the system run too high voltage. or faulty earth somewhere.

That aside the only other thing i can think that might be related to all might be speed signal, airbag only deploys above certain speed, ecu likes to know the speed, as does the auto box.

[Troubledshooter]

Thanks for the help so far.

All the warning lights now come on at startup while car is static.

I will try the 'Paper clip' method tomorrow, weather permitting.

I am pretty sure there is no alternator problem, but grounding, I am not so sure about as I have had grounding problems before which were cured by new earth strap from engine to chassis, and this is something I will re-check tomorrow.
I have all the test gear for normal checks, but no Tech 1 diagnostic reader.

[Troubledshooter]

Have now carried out the 'Paper Clip' test, and lo and behold someone had already diagnosed the problem.
On static test, 12, 31 & 49 appeared. 31 is obvious as the engine was not running, so 49 is the culprit, which indicates High Voltage.
12 & 49 appeared in the running test.
I should have guessed it was high voltage, as the sun roof shot back at a vast rate of knots when I opened it.
On idle test, the battery was reading 17v6. I didn't need to take it any further.!!
I am guessing Alternator, as has already been suggested, but I wait to be advised otherwise.
Once again, the help is appreciated.

[Stupink]

wooo, if only i had done this well on my exams [img]/tongue.gif[/img] hehe.

But yeh, probably need to swap the alt.. it will be one of the regulator packs on it, i've heard of people changing these themselfs, but I avoid electrics as much as poss so not really sure how to tell whats gone or where to get it from.. I'd just drop it off for a recon unit if it were me..

[Troubledshooter]

Having recently had a Hip job and suffering with a permanently dodgy back, I am unable to do this sort of thing myself nowadays.
Fortunately I hadn't planned on going any where in particular this Bank Holiday weekend, so will just have to hope I can get it fixed on Tuesday.
Considering I used to work as a mechanic and maintained a fleet of taxis for many years, it goes against the grain to let anyone else mess with my motor, but I don't have any choice, particularly with modern engine management systems, about which I know nothing.
I had Capri's for 24 years, which I could cope with, but after buying the Calibra five years ago, I have been at the mercy of others.
Hey Ho.!!!

[Stupink]

Yeah, I hear the same story from so many people (re the electrics) but it's all i've ever known, and it's really not as bad as you'd think once you get to grips with it all. Hackney cabs now THEYRE something evil lol.. hate working on them lol [img]/smile.gif[/img]

But still, as you say, if you're health isnt up to it, then its not worth it is it [img]/smile.gif[/img]
At least its nothing too complicated for anyone to bodge up or rip you off to do [img]/smile.gif[/img]

[Troubledshooter]

My 'Taxi' days were many years ago and only involved FX4's and Beardmore's, with a few FX3's for good measure.
I have a good tame mechanic, when I can get hold of him, who I know won't rip me off, but he doesn't have access to 'Tech 1' gear, and until I got the extremely useful information about the 'Paper Clip' test, I thought that was going to be needed, so this site has already saved me £50 + VAT as that is what I was quoted for a 'Tech1' diagnostic plug in.

[Troubledshooter]

Feeling bored and fed up because I couldn't go anywhere, I decided to see how difficult it is to change the alternator, after being advised that it was not a simple job.
If I'd known just how easy it actually is, I would have done it before.
I totally removed the air cleaner assembly, box and all, so that I was able to get at the belt tensioner without a problem.
The only time I had to perform contortions, was when I dropped the ******* pivot bolt nut !!
I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that a new regulator will do the trick.

[Troubledshooter]

New regulator from local Bosch depot, £34 + VAT, available from internet source @ £8.95 including postage.
Picked up a used alternator from Silverlake Southampton for £25.
Vehicle now on the road and regulator will be fitted to old alternator when it arrives, and either kept as spare or sold on.
Many thanks for the help received on this site, it certainly saved me money.

[Stupink]

Glad to hear its all ok [img]/smile.gif[/img]