[ScottT1974]

Guys, had a couple of problems over the last few weeks with the dreaded Motor Control System Failure warning light coming on and then sometimes the car not starting on my wifes 147 2.0l. My local specialist ran a diag on it during the week and it returned only 1 fault being the crankshaft sensor so that's being changed next week.

Today however, all funny things have started to happen. The car done it's usual trick of not starting then about 5 mins later started and ran with the warning light on. Later on though the power steering went heavy then the traction light came on, the abs light came on, the mileometer started flashing and I got a low battery warning. Does this sound like just the battery from everyones experience(this may be a silly question I know!)? I'm going to head out tomorrow and get a discharge test done anyway but any feedback would be welcome if I've missed something glaringly obvious. Just seems mad to get all these faults for just a dodgy battery. I seldom drive the car but my wife says that the mileometer has been flashing a few times over the last couple of months.

 

[alfa-mick]

alfa's dont like dodgy battery's...sounds like the classic deaded battery to me mate.

 

[Jess Hurchist]

I know the temperature has been very low around Falkirk lately -14 I heard and that would have given the battery a very hard time. All sorts of things start appearing when the battery is low so most of your symptoms indicate that's the problem.
But...
I don't think I'd expect the power steering to go heavy while the engine is running as that would require there to be no power from the alternator as well as the battery - I've no idea how much power is needed but don't think it can be much.

It's possible that the not starting and then doing so 5 minutes later is cold related - very cold batteries are not effective but the current drawn trying to start first time might just warm it enough to allow a start 5 minutes later. I remember being told by a physics teacher that pouring hot water over the battery can help starting when it's very cold (he'd be thinking of the winter of 1963 at the time).
On my 147 the mileometer flashes if I try to start the engine before the checking process has finished, so that symptom may be unrelated.

 

[ScottT1974]

Thanks for the quick response guys. The temperature has been quite low here - the 147 did register -10 at one point and the car is still on its original battery. It was my wife who experienced the power steering thing but I think she may be talking pants! :lol: I tested the alternator and all is fine there so hopefully it's just the battery.

I'll update the post tomorrow and let you all know how I get on. Hopefully a battery and new crank sensor next week will solve the problems but I'll update as things progress!

Thanks again.

 

[ronan]

Get a new battery asap....the electrics hate batteries on their way out and cause more problems the longer you leave it.

 

[chillihound]

Go for a Varta Silver Dynamic from Tayna, got mine 2 weeks ago for about £80 quid inc delivery.

 

[gazza12345]

I had thr MCSF on my 147, and my power steering went heavy even when the engine was running, it always started when it turned over, but if the battery wend so low it wouldnt rev when you oushed the accelarator. The MCSF light never went off in the whole time i owned the car, and didnt cause me any problems. A new battery was 40 quid from superspanner.

 

[ScottT1974]

Just to update things, went and got a discharge test done on the battery this morning and it is kaput. Operating at 27% efficiency. New Varta battery installed and wallet £70 lighter!

 

[ronan]

It's amazing how often we overlook the battery....it's a very important but neglected piece of kit.

 

[baz147gta]

did it solve your problem ?