electrical gremlins

[nicruiser]

Hi all,

I am having some issues with my 2000 Toledo Tdi. It only happens now and again but it is something that needs sorted out.

Its hard to explain it, but a few things happen.

when driving at night, I can see the dash display is pulsing, its not going off, but its not constantly bright either. If its night and have the lights on, when i brake or use indicators the dash will dim just for a second like then back to normal again. The lights will also dim for the same time.

If the dash has been pulsing or flickering, when i turn the engine off, everything electrical just dies off straight away, the rev needle will stick though at 900, then drop down, but not smoothly. Sometimes the radio would come back on again but in safe mode.

sometimes too the abs light and handbrake come on with the scary alarm sound, lol.

If any of the above does happen, it's just a case of turning of the engine and starting again and everything is ok again.

I thought it was battery, but that has been repaced, and the local spark says the alternator is fine and is charging ok as i thought it was that.

Any thoughts or ideas appreciated.

Many thanks
Mark

 

[healy6660]

Check all the earth points for corrosion and crap
either battery to shell (big black one fastened to the body), engine to shell or if there is a big one behind the fuse box (don't know as I haven't had any problems, but there usually is)
also check the light clusters behind the mats/soundproofing in the boot
always worth a look

 

[Deleted member 5241]

I would of said Alternator TBH, it may be charging OK and giving out an average of 13.5v or whatever BUT the pulsing usually means that the diode pack is on its way out in the back of the Alternator. When this starts to give up you get DC level with and AC ripple on it instead of a smooth DC level output.

Hope that makes sense...

 

[nicruiser]

Many thanks for your help, I had thought about the earth points and was on the cards for this weekend to check out.

never knew of the diode pack to be honest, another option to be looked at.

I appreciate it, thanks again

Mark