View Full Version : Why do we bother with cars, grrrr [rant inside]
Fecking annoying useless hunks of shiny metal, we spend all our dollars on them, spend hours keeping them clean and shiny and lots of pennies on repairs and maintenance, and im my case, hundreds on new GM batteries, brand new alternators and charge relays, and having it all tested at an alternator specialists, and..................................
First bit of frost and the cav decides its not gonna start, wtf is that all about, pissing thing, do a good few miles in it every day and its happy as anything, use it to and from work and nothing else and it spits its dummy out and flattens the battery, great just what i need when i need to go to work first thing, so had to defrost my dads honda spazz, so i can pull it up to mine and jump it off, left mine running for ten mins to defrost then jolly off to work, park up and work and go about my morning, leave at 11.15 as ive got a hospital appointment and its flat.
AGAIN grrrrr.......
Left work after jumping it off, went to hospital and returned nearly two hours later, started fine, been for a fifteen mile blast in it and its fine now, bloody cold ass pain in the neck fecking thing, grrrrr:mad:
Rant over, anyone any ideas why it doesnt like short trips, methinks theres gonna be a for sale thread appearing soon tbh!
Southie
11-12-09, 01:45 PM
Should of kept the Nova on the road :d
lol mine does that most mornings mate it's a pain in the back side owning a car and not knowing if its going to start every morning lol mine went dead at work yesterday night and i had to jump it off a stranger its a little annoying but its all part of the fun! lol
and you wont sell it because you love it too much! lol
Alt might not be charging it proper. weird though.
I had all of this last winter with it, its had a brand new GM battery, brand new unipart alternator, the charge relay has been replaced and its got fresh belts on it too, its fine till it gets cold, just been out and started it again now, light came on for battery, once its warm it charges fine, but i dont think i drive it enough cos its not even warm by the time i get to work, i used to go out every night with my mates and i never had a problem, started being sensible and staying in and thats when the problem first arose, after spending all my dollars on it last year i cant bring myself to part with anymore cash on it really, and Southie i wouldve kept nova on the road but she needs welding and a headgasket so thats why she is resting lol
Might be somthing intermittent draining the battery.
But yer, cars are ****ing ****e.
Because cars are a mans getaway from the world and whingy women. Or at least it is for me.
Southie
11-12-09, 02:05 PM
Southie i wouldve kept nova on the road but she needs welding and a headgasket so thats why she is resting lol
Lazy :thumb:
Do you have a amp for your stereo as I had one on my old Nova which didn't turn off (because I wired it like a spazza), it maybe draining the battery.
Lazy :thumb:
Do you have a amp for your stereo as I had one on my old Nova which didn't turn off (because I wired it like a spazza), it maybe draining the battery.
Not lazy at all, i wants to do her properly rather than a quick bodge thats gonna need redoing next year lol
Got an amp and sub but wired correctly, the only thing powered up when the cav is off, is the memory live on the stereo, the internal clock and the alarm, all of which are working correctly, its not being drained its a lazy alt not charging im sure of it, it just doesnt seem to want to charge when its cold!
brainsnova
11-12-09, 02:14 PM
my van starts first time everyday of the year lol twin batteries FTW
is there no way of sheilding the battery from the cold? Battery box etc?
If not why not try a high perfomrance alternator....i have a denso one for sale at the minute
dougie_boi
11-12-09, 02:20 PM
get a muilty meter and check what its charging at when its running should be about 13.7 volts then swith it off and check to see if it drops much below 12.60. have you checked the levels in the battery?
Its been drop tested and the battery is fine, should be as its a brand new GM jobbie, low alt charge rate was to blame, so i went and had it tested at a proper alternator place and they couldnt find anything wrong with it, i think it charges fine once warm and not when cold for some reason, so me only using it for work aint letting it warm up and charge, works fine in summer lol
dougie_boi
11-12-09, 02:34 PM
Its been drop tested and the battery is fine, should be as its a brand new GM jobbie, low alt charge rate was to blame, so i went and had it tested at a proper alternator place and they couldnt find anything wrong with it, i think it charges fine once warm and not when cold for some reason, so me only using it for work aint letting it warm up and charge, works fine in summer lol lol try puting on everything lights fans heated rear screen etc for a minute before you leave in the morning to give the alternator a kick up its backside lol as my pajero used to be like that would charge other wise lol. i know its a new battery but does it have enough amps just thinking that if its the wrong one like for say its one for a 1.2 petrol or so then its maybe not man enough for the job as this is the time of year that puts it to the test.
MattBrown
11-12-09, 02:34 PM
Leave the pos terminal loose, then pull it off whenever you stop, this will prove if its either not charging, or if something is pulling the battery to earth:)
Novaboi_1991
11-12-09, 02:38 PM
^^ good idea batman... meaning the alarm wont work, the stereo will lose memory and the clock wont work...:roll:
i know its a new battery but does it have enough amps just thinking that if its the wrong one like for say its one for a 1.2 petrol or so then its maybe not man enough for the job as this is the time of year that puts it to the test.
Its the proper one listed for a 1700 TD:thumb:
^^ good idea batman... meaning the alarm wont work, the stereo will lose memory and the clock wont work...:roll:
And i wont be able to lock it either as its delocked lol
Ive just been out and taken a load of interior pics of it, think its going up for sale, i wants a nova again possibly an XE one if i shift it for enough:d
Novaboi_1991
11-12-09, 02:44 PM
tbh mate you should be able to get 1500-2000 for it? there was a xe nova on p/h for 500 a couple a weeks ago.. lol,
or im sure theres lots of members on here who would kill to own your cav? maybe offer it as a swap for an xe nova.?
or im sure theres lots of members on here who would kill to own your cav? maybe offer it as a swap for an xe nova.?
If someone offered me a reasonable XE nova with tax and test id go for it, going back to what you know and all of that, just waiting for the bucket to load and ill bung a thread up:thumb:
Got a cover on the battery?
dougie_boi
11-12-09, 02:49 PM
If someone offered me a reasonable XE nova with tax and test id go for it, going back to what you know and all of that, just waiting for the bucket to load and ill bung a thread up:thumb: il keep this in mind lol as mine nearly done then once its road legal il be giving it a lick of piant
dougie_boi
11-12-09, 02:53 PM
check the connections on the back of the alternator make sure there clean and tight and check battery terminals aswell make sure there tight and if theres any grease wipe them clean as it should be petrolium stuff (vasaline) as normal grease contains metal particles of somesort and can help discharge the battery
Atlernator was installed by my mates garage and then checked over by a seperate place and neither of them could find anything amiss with it, like i said it seems to charge perfectly once warmed up, and obviously i had driven to the garage to get it tested, i think it just needs using more than i do tbh lol
Break the cav, keep the engine and find a diesel nova (Fat chance of that i know lol)
dougie_boi
11-12-09, 03:02 PM
lol sounds like it mate you should go out fire it up in the mornin before you leave run back in for quick cuppa then back out to it nice and warm and on your way to work. p.s sorry for all the replies lol just had probs like this loads of times lol
Sod off im not breaking it, i dont think i could kill the old girl lol
MattBrown
11-12-09, 03:04 PM
^^ good idea batman... meaning the alarm wont work, the stereo will lose memory and the clock wont work...:roll:
But his car will start in the morning?
Because, ohh yeah, with a flat battery, they also won't work D*ck!
But his car will start in the morning?
Its not the battery being drained the battery is fine, its a charging problem!
Welsh Dan
11-12-09, 03:08 PM
Are you only going on short trips?
Are you only going on short trips?
Yup, to and from work, nothing else and the car usually doesnt get up to running temp by the time im at work, if i take it out for a few hours every night then its fine!
MattBrown
11-12-09, 03:11 PM
Its not the battery being drained the battery is fine, its a charging problem!
Fair enough, I did this on mine, to "Find" tha fault!
Bring it on sunday to the meet, nice long run out for her!
Welsh Dan
11-12-09, 03:11 PM
How about a cheap battery charger/conditioner then? Hook it up every few nights or so...
Hmmm, that might be one to look into actually, still might have a test of the water to see if theres any interest salewise though!
brainsnova
11-12-09, 03:23 PM
are you running a big gay amp.
Break it and put the engine in a nova :thumb:
lol
are you running a big gay amp.
Thread read fail, that question has been asked and answered :p
craig green
11-12-09, 04:03 PM
Mate. I can sympathise with you massively.
Not quite the same thing, but my Daily Golf GTI has played up from the week I bought it. I can't go anywhere & switch the thing off. If I do I risk not starting it again. I am basically a prisoner in my own home. I tempted fate today, drove 1 mile to the farm my Nova is kept at, then came back. Sold the tailgate & then decided to go to town & blow the profits on a pair of jeans... well I got 1 mile into town & the Golf dies at traffic lights on a crossroads, outside a school at 14:45 (kick out is 15:10). Stupid bag of vvank!
So yeah, new relays, all new ign components & plenty of TLC & thats what you get. I am actually currently relying on this German boat of a hot hatch to get me 15 miles to work. Luckily its cold after my shifts end & it gets me home again, somehow.
Any roads, you obv need to drive the Cav more. Btw all I want is a tidy Cav. Swap? lol
Well, on a plus note ive had alternator issues with my van which is 02 registered, an also been having similiar issues with the Connect we own which is 54.
So its not just 90's cars that are crap.
Lol, Craig if it werent for the fact youve just described yours as being more un reliable on short journeys than mine then yes lol
Im after another fast nova if im honest with myself, i have done for a while and this has given me the kick up the ass that i was looking for, went for a blast in it earlier to bump the charge up in the battery and she is fine now, i just dont get out in her as much as i used to, boyracing around is getting boring to me now, damn....... im getting old :cry:
brainsnova
11-12-09, 04:10 PM
Thread read fail, that question has been asked and answered :p
went back to read but i was still jamming over my twin batteries lol
brainsnova
11-12-09, 04:14 PM
the cold plays havok with cars so get it a hot water bottle
craig green
11-12-09, 04:16 PM
Lol, Craig if it werent for the fact youve just described yours as being more un reliable on short journeys than mine then yes lol
boyracing around is getting boring to me now, damn....... im getting old :cry:
Its about getting old FFS, just get out & appreciate what you have built every now & then.
I have been told that mine could be the crank sensor on a couple forums. After doing the relays & ign & coil. I have just ordered a crank sensor & might get it fitted tomorrow morning. Apparently they suffer with the wires breaking down as they are bang on the front of the lump, low down. Just had a gander at mine & the sheath has cracked open, so it's suspect. We had it on the Diagnostics on tuesday too. Crank sensor voltage outside of parameters popped up too, so if that is my problem, it should finally be fixed. In which case I will be after a Cav or Vectra, as i have been saying for a few months now.
It's not much to ask to want a reliable, basic car is it ?? :confused:
Craig, have you had the ECU opened and inspected? My dad has the exact same problems on his Mk3 GTi and it was the soldered joints in the ECU which had gone dry and come apart. Had them resoldered and ran sweet as a nut afterwards.
Spud, if you can, leave the car overnight with the alarm disconnected or disabled. Could be that which is draining it.
Leave the pos terminal loose
I'm going to pretend that was said in jest lol
blue_peg_16v
11-12-09, 04:48 PM
spud get it sold and buy that red gte valver thats forsale lol
just realised yiour a ****ing tight wad you just dont want to replace the bald tyres lol
novaload1992
11-12-09, 04:53 PM
[quote=Spudly]we spend all our dollars on them, quote]
dollars :p
^PWN fail.
Buy a proper car :p
26 y/o Volvo. First time every time, lol:)
spud get it sold and buy that red gte valver thats forsale lol
just realised yiour a ****ing tight wad you just dont want to replace the bald tyres lol
Cheeky fecker theyre not bald yet lol
And its not that in all fairness, i miss having a nova and theyre simpler and more fun :thumb:
Stick at it Spud, you'll regret selling it
I've broken down twice this week sucks ass!
Stick at it Spud, you'll regret selling it
I've broken down twice this week sucks ass!
Nah, time for something completely different, i wants a change tbh, ive been looking elsewhere for a while and this has made up my mind, im a nova boy at heart lol
Pushrod power!
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff175/Rysee_sri_130/28112009094-1.jpg
If it were running something a little beefier than a cheesegrater then id be tempted lol
HI MATE WHAT WHEELS ARE ON THAT NOVA ITS WELL NICE I WANT SOME FOR MINE HAHA MINES NOT RED THOUGH MATE
If it were running something a little beefier than a cheesegrater then id be tempted lol
It runs a single hamster in a wheel
It runs a single hamster in a wheel
Ahh well you see im used to the power of the double overhead hamster engine lol
i need to get one too even 1.3 hamsters would rock
dude you have a residual drain, its not hard to trace, but takes time, id pull some fuses sucha s cig lighter etcd and see whats what. :thumb: oh and buy a decent gsi/gte/sri and xe it yourself. riggy style in a day...
blue_peg_16v
11-12-09, 05:32 PM
spud why not get an sr run around and put the leftover into valvering the nova you already have
craig green
11-12-09, 05:33 PM
Nah, time for something completely different, i wants a change tbh, this has made up my mind, im a Dub boy at heart lol
:thumb:
General Baxter
11-12-09, 05:34 PM
my lunar rocket just keeps on going, not started it since nov 27, did not even let the glowplug light go out at 6am this morn and brum :)
spud why not get an sr run around and put the leftover into valvering the nova you already have
taht blue or silver one col smith has would be tasty....
or this mate...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1990-VAUXHALL-ASTRA-GTE-16V-RED_W0QQitemZ320460229511QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAutomo biles_UK?hash=item4a9ceb0b87
dude you have a residual drain, its not hard to trace
Nope, i have an alternator that doesnt seem to want to charge when its cold, charges fine when its warm otherwise this problem wouldve been persistent all through summer, but since i dont use the heaters and demisters and heated seats all through summer the battery doesnt get drained faster than the alternator will charge it!
or this mate...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1990-VAUXHALL-ASTRA-GTE-16V-RED_W0QQitemZ320460229511QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAutomo biles_UK?hash=item4a9ceb0b87
Cos i can really jump straight into that and drive it to work cant i :roll:
blue_peg_16v
11-12-09, 05:41 PM
also you used the nova in the summer lol
also you used the nova in the summer lol
And the cav aswell silly lol
Cos i can really jump straight into that and drive it to work cant i :roll:
Hole in floorpan = job done lol
sorry posted the wrong link mate. try this...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1986-VAUXHALL-CAVALIER-SR-I-BLACK_W0QQitemZ180440993347QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAuto mobiles_UK?hash=item2a031f0e43
Something tells me the car isnt included
Stop failing Sloth.
Would be a shame to run that mk2 SRi through the winter.
blue_peg_16v
11-12-09, 05:45 PM
what about this
http://www.pistonheads.com/SALES/1388799.htm
stick your 1.4 in it with some twin 40s so total around 1k will leave you with around 1k to spend on yours which should get body sorted and an xe in easily
Something tells me the car isnt included
huh?
limp, i see no wrong in running that mk2, tis a tidy cheap smoker.
General Baxter
11-12-09, 05:46 PM
sloth you fail lol
huh?
limp, i see no wrong in running that mk2, tis a tidy cheap smoker.
Aye, but won't be for long.
Smoker! IMO that term should only be used for diesels.
Now thats lush but too nice for a daily driver tbh
twistysnovagte
11-12-09, 05:52 PM
what you need is a 1700 D(not td) never failed on me once and loves the early frosty morning starts, short runs,long runs anything you throw at it:d :p
those isuzu's are not as good as the gm engines;)
ive been told this by many people now from the scrapyard owners i know, and visits to the local garages ive used for it mot tests(on which it has never failed, SO NER lol
Southie
11-12-09, 06:09 PM
Scrapage scheme for the Cav lol
You can fook right off you cheeky twunt!!!
twistysnovagte
11-12-09, 06:18 PM
oh no,i just seen the for sale thread:(
i guess you will be putting a ad on CavalierCrazy too
i think you should keep it and drop a xe in there:thumb:
Aye its up on there aswell mate, time to move on, ive done everything i wanted to on this toy so i need to play with a new one lol
Pistol Pete
11-12-09, 06:45 PM
As long as the new owner looks after it!! Hope somone off here buys it. Now, if i could just get the misses to show some interest lol
I'm amazed its not been mentioned, but have you changed the cables? or at least checked them? Personally I would remove every terminal clean it, grease it and FT it up - positive and earth. Also it would be worth getting a jacket for your battery... maybe. The cables deteriate over the years and the resistance goes up, when it's cold it could be just enough to stop it starting and the jump from another car will give it a push. I've been through all this with the nova when I was using 2 gauge amp cable for the starter, although brand new fat ass cable it wasn't up to the job.
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