Hi folks
My stryker runs a 2.0 zetec,having problems with starter not turning over,have changed to new starter,new battery ,new cables extra earth's and
still sometimes it won't turn over and next day fine anybody had this problem before Thank you in advance
Too much ignition advance? Been covered several times IIRC
Basic checks with no fancy tools just a mulitmeter ---
Check the charging voltage at 1700 to 2500 rpm under heavy electrical load (ie head lights on) and also under no load.
Expect to see no less than 13.4v and no more than 14.9v.
Additionally you can check the alternator for AC ripple at the same RPM and load conditions as the previous test. To do this set the multimeter to
AC millivolts and measure the AC voltage connected directly to the alternator main B+ and the alternator body. A reading of more than about 400mV
warrants investigation.
Then check the battery voltage after 24 hrs resting ie. non-running/off charge then turn the dipped headlights on for about 4 minutes switch them
off and then re- check the battery voltage.
A fully charged battery in UK summer/early autumm temperatures should read 12.6 to 12.75 volts measured at least 5 minutes after stopping the engine
or taking off charger. If the voltage is checked after the headights have been on for 4 minutes then switched off expect to a drop in voltage of no
more than about 0.1 to 0.15v, more than this suggests a battery issue.
If the battery voltage drops noticeable over a 24hr period without any known electrical loads being drawn from it then the battery then try testing
the voltage after disconnecting the battery over night --- if it passes this test then it could be a parasitic drain somewhere in the cars wiring such
as an alarm system.
There are other tests -- voltage drop test across the start cable and the cranking voltage test but try the above first.
The other possibilty is too much ignition advance at cranking speeds, the engine is in effect fighting against the starter and trying to run
backwards. This is not unknown in Zetec transplants that are not using the original Ford PCM
[Edited on 31/7/16 by britishtrident]
[Edited on 31/7/16 by britishtrident]