ELECTRICAL FAULTS

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 3231, 26 June 1928, Page 2

ELECTRICAL FAULTS

CONSULT THIS TROUBLE CHART

The following iiints and tips on | trouble location are given with a view to, assisting the user to locate any { troubles which may occur on the road. If possible, rectify the trouble at once; < do not leave matters to get worse, as • sometimes quite a trivial fault may ; ultimately cause serious damage to the + system. Symptom—Ammeter does not indi- * cate charging current. , Symptom—Ammeter needle oscillates i violently. Probable cause.—lndicates a slack } or slipping driving belt. To remedy, tighten adjustment or shorten belt. Symptom.—All lights fail. ' Probable cause.—Broken or bad con- • nexion between switchboard and bat- i tery. Symptom.—Lights drop to dull red. j Probable cause'.—Field fuse blown, indicating either a faulty or broken connexion between dynamo and bat- , ! tery. Carefully trace all connexions, t and locate fault before replacing fuse. < Probable cause.—Short circuit in the \ wiring system. To locate, disconnect each lamp cable on switchboard in turn. When remaining light glows , bright the faulty cable has been located. It is advisable to switch the \ lights off while disconnecting the cab- \ les, and switch on only when ready to test. Carefully examine the faulty cable, also the lamp adaptor, and do not replace until the fault has been rectified. Symptom.—Ammeter does not register, though field fuse has blown. Probable cause. —Belt slipping or broken, dynamo out of order. Examine ■, brushes, and see that they are quite free in their holders. Symptom.—Ammeter registers current when car is stationary, and engine not running. Probable cause.—This is of rare *oc- • currence, and may be due to two eaus- • es: (1) Cut-out out of order; (2) a short circuit between the dynamo nega- , live and battery negative terminals. To locate, disconnect cable from ter- , minal on cut-out, and note whether the ammeter needle returns to zero; if, when replaced, current is again registered, examine for possible short between terminal ID and 4S, also see that' the armature of cut-out is not stickmg. If the trouble cannot be remedied, have cut-out tested, or returned ■ for inspection and repair if necessary. Symptom.—Bulbs glow very bright, or burn out. Probable cause.—Broken or faulty connexion between dynamo and battery. The field fuse will also probably blow. Switch dynamo off, examine battery connexions and do not charge again until fault has been remedied. Symptom.—Bulbs dull or not up to normal when dynamo is not running. Probable cause.—rßattery discharged; use lamps sparingly and do not use starter motor until battery has been re-charged . Symprom—One or more lamps will not light. Probable cause. —Bulbs defective or worn out. Try new bulbs, or examine tor faulty contacts in bulb holder and adap'.or, i>3so examine lamp connexions on switchboard. Symptom.—Lights flicker. Probable cause. —Loose connexion in lamp wires or adaptors, also loose connexion in battery. Symptom.— Starter motor does i.ot rotate. Probable cause.—Battery entirely discharged either through excessive use of starter motor, or short circuit. Test battery, also examine starter motor connexions. Symptom.—Starter motor rotates, but does not rotate engine. Probable cause.—Screwed sleeve of Bendix drive dirty or gummorl with oil, etc. To remedy, clean with rag dipped in petrol, and see that pinion is quite free. Symptom.—Battery does not hold . charge or is always weak. Probable cause.—Defective cell or solution very low. Battery may bo worn out, or specific gravity of the electrolyte low. Test with hydrometer. The car may not be run enough for the ' dynamo to charge the battery and rot place the current taken from it. To remedy, run car, and do not use starter motor until battery is properly char-£-cd again.