Ford cargo 0811 electrical issue

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samlf

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Posting here in the hope that someone may have come across this or have any ideas of what to check!

I have an old box (think early 80's!), we have found that the window wipers are very slow, the headlights are quite dim, and the indicators dont always work when headlights are on.

We have also had some trouble starting it (despite a new battery), but is fine once jump started.

Luckily my stepdad is a mechanic, so he has had a look.

Checked earth from cab which is fine. He has discovered that the battery isnt being charged properly (only receiving 11.75 volts instead of around 14 when running), hence the problems starting. He said the wiring leaves a bit to be desired, so that may be where its losing power too.
He checked all the wires and stuff to do with the fuse box, and said some of them arent receiving enough power either, but that he's not sure which wires they are because he doesnt have a wiring diagram.

He said he needs to tilt the cab to check alternator, but not sure where else to go from here. He said getting a new fuse box is a possibility, but its a case of getting it and seeing what happens.

Any ideas please?
 
I would suggest alternator - I'm no expert, but from what i have learnt from lorries in the past is that the battery should charge from alternator when running, also the first sign our alternator was about to kaput was the wipers, lights and other basic electrics going slower, dimming and then dying.
 
Classic 0811 problems. The o811 has a number of wiring design faults. The biggest is the printed circuit board .This is located behind the pannel in the passenger side ,footwell. All the electrical power to lights etc (but not starter motor) runs through it. The connection tags burn out and corrode. This is especialy a problem for the lighting. The scenario goes like this.

My lights arnt bright enough so I put bigger more powerfull bulbs in.

The lights are worse now:confused:

The lights dont work at all now:mad::eek:

When you put bigger bulbs in ,they need more current ,but the board cant handle it so it starts to burn out.Also the bulbs dont even give as much light as a smaller wattage bulb would. Eventualy the board fails completely.

next big problem is the joint half way along the starter motor power leed.It gets a bit of corrosion and the resistance increases .Or worse still ,it eventualy burns out and melts.

Another old favourite is the earth strap to the engine. Often removed and forgotten ,but this will drasticly affect starting lighting etc.

Another favourite is the starter motor solenoid which is a "soft start". I remove the starter motor and polish the connecting surfaces ,particularly the nuts because they didnt use copper.They are steel and they corrode which again affects starting and reliability.(Afterwards I give the connections a coat of electrical varnish.)

And finaly ,a really common problem is the bodged isolator switch with a battery leed from halfords which simply cannot handle the starter motor current.

I hope some of this helps.Start with the circuit board first.

OH YES AND DONT FORGET THAT IF THE ALTERNATOR LIGHT BULB IS BLOWN IT WILL NOT CHARGE
 
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Wow thanks so much for the ideas.
Will pass these on to him, as to be honest I have no idea what any of it means!
 
First place to start is with the Alternator.Check the fan belt tension. Check the alternator warning light is lit when the ignition is on and before starting the engine . If not ,check the bulb and repeat . If still not lit ,you have either a wiring fault ,most probably at the board , or more likely the brushes in the alternator have worn out. Go and check this and report back:D
 
Thanks mike. He's now certain its the alternator, as he had checked most other things you suggested apparently. The light isnt coming on apparently. Going to get a new one and go from there.

Do you have any ideas where will sell a reconditioned one for cargo 0811?
 
VRIN ,you beat me to it :D .Phillips commercials or any good local auto electrical factor. In all probability it is only the carbon brushes that have worn out . A few pence .
 
Mike007 said:
VRIN ,you beat me to it :D .Phillips commercials or any good local auto electrical factor. In all probability it is only the carbon brushes that have worn out . A few pence .
Click to expand...

I had begun to despair of finding parts until I discovered phillips!
 
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