Battery Woes

fudleone · Post by **fudleone** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 3:04 pm

Greetings all,

i have just replaced the battery in my car and i now see the Engine Management light when i am turning the car on.

does it not like the battery? or has the new battery helped the system to find a fault on my car elsewhere?

i have just taken it for a spin and everything seems mostly fine to me.

however, another problem is the car tends to drag to the left when at constant speed. is this a tracking or balance problem?

i hope the two problems are not linked.

if anyone could shed some light, i would greatly appreciate it.

Fud

P.s. 99 1L Corsa Trip

Mr. K · Post by **Mr. K** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 3:22 pm

Dragging to the left could be your tires need inflating, your tracking could be out or your power steering is shot (which is my problem!

)

pct corsa · Post by **pct corsa** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 4:23 pm

going to left can be all of those (except the battery they are NOT connected) also a sticking caliper
just jack the wheels up off the road and see how hard it is to turn them by hand then check other side best doing after a run so the brakes are hot!

perhaps the system neads re setting after the battery has been off then a new one put on not sure about that though!

fudleone · Post by **fudleone** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 5:07 pm

thanks for your replies.

should i do a paperclip test?

mot is due next month,, i hear i can do it a month earlier but it can still expire September 06. so should i get a full service and mot test from vauxhall?

how much is wheel tracking and alignment these days?

punkheadgray · Post by **punkheadgray** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 6:42 pm

when you say the engine management light comes on, do you mean it come on when you turn the keys over 1notch, then goes off on starting the car?

fudleone · Post by **fudleone** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 10:45 pm

yup, on second notch, the one before cracnking, the ems light comes on.

have heard rattling today, i must check the exhaust clamps.

anyone have ideas for tyre pressures, will look them up and get them to proper pressure.

then i think the tracking must be done.

Fudleone

fudleone · Post by **fudleone** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 12:21 pm

i have solved the exhaust problem, it was a rubber flange that had come loose and rattled against the bodywork. phew.

still not sure about ems light so have to give vauxhall 30quid to get it checked. will do it with my service and MOT.

tracking is out on the car. my Tyre\'s are nearing limit so need to save up for alloys now.

Fudleone

dodger · Post by **dodger** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 1:24 pm

douse the car run lumpey or over rev on idol? check all ur breather/presure hoses,check the chjarge on ur altenator

fudleone · Post by **fudleone** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 1:57 pm

just had the idle control valve replaced a few months back.

will check the engine bay. how do i go about checking the alternator?

punkheadgray · Post by **punkheadgray** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 11:17 am

yup, on second notch, the one before cracnking, the ems light comes on.

but it goes off again when you turn the engine over yeah? isnt that what its supposed to do?

fudleone · Post by **fudleone** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 4:34 pm

punkheadgray - thought about that, but it didn\'t use to. but will get it checked out at the service and MOT.

Any tips for my first MOT? (not the car\'s tho)

Fudleone

pct corsa · Post by **pct corsa** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 4:40 pm

general rule of thumb
if its got it , it must work properley
apart from that rust n holes are the enemy

punkheadgray · Post by **punkheadgray** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 9:36 pm

i havent got my car to check it against, but i know that on one of the notchs all the instrument lights should come on. then go off when you turn the engine over so id say that theres nothing wrong with it.
MOT:
dont take it to vauxhall, they\'ll always find problems (that arnt problems) find a nice small local garage

CR41G · Post by **CR41G** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 11:41 am

yea if the light cums on on second notch then goes off after a few seconds of starting the motor ,then thats gravey mate , thats normal

fudleone · Post by **fudleone** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 11:59 am

ok cheers for all your help guys.

Fudleone