Problem checking error codes

[joe_rolls_commo]

I've had the battery off all day, playin around with the interior & fixing a bung a/c switch. When I was all done, I re-connected the battery, ran it for a few min's then decided to do check for codes.

So, I put the paper-clip in & turned the key twice & the engine light just started flashin' away like a mongrel. Not only that, but the fan noise that you usually hear when checking codes was surging in rhythm with the engine light and you could hear clicking, like it's turning off & on or something?

What the hell?! Please tell me somethings not broken.

[hako]

Sounds like your battery is pretty flat or has bad connections - measure the voltage - should be about 12.6 volts.
Having the battery disconnected all day would have removed any logged faults.

[greenacc]

As hako said, codes are wiped when battery is disconnected for more than few minutes. better yo check codes before disconnecting battery. What fan noise are you talking about ? i've never noticed that on mine

[joe_rolls_commo]

As hako said, codes are wiped when battery is disconnected for more than few minutes. better yo check codes before disconnecting battery

Yeah I know, but I've been getting error 36 (vaccuum leak) for a while now, & having fixed my problem with the A/C, I thought I might have cured the leak. So I checked.

What fan noise are you talking about ? i've never noticed that on mine

Usually when I check for codes it sounds like the engine fan comes on.

Sounds like your battery is pretty flat or has bad connections - measure the voltage - should be about 12.6 volts.

Will do, cheers mate. It's a new battery though, can't see why it'd be drained. Sounds right though. Argh, hope I'm not losing charge ... that'd be alternator, right? Unless it's just from me dickin around leavin the interior light on too long.

But yeah, I checked codes again, this time I just left it for 5 seconds & it came good, & spat out codes 12 & 36. But when I put put the A/C on it'll start playin' up again. i was doin' it in the dark too, & noticed that while engine light was still flashing like a mongrel, you could hear the relay clicking & the interior light was dimming in rhythm with it, as was the speed alert.

[joe_rolls_commo]

Nup, batteries throwin' out 12.6 volts - so it's not the battery.

Any other ideas?

[hako]

Try measuring the battery voltage again when it starts playing up - it really sounds like low voltage somewhere - the on/off usually comes from a circuit breaker resetting but I'm not sure where one would be in your car. Also see if the headlights dim in sympathy with the others.

[joe_rolls_commo]

I tested the voltage while it was playin up, the volts' fluctuated a bit, like 0.2 volts up & down. And yeah the headlights dim aswell.

What would cause the circuit breaker to reset? Crook & on its way out, or overloaded somewhere?

[hako]

Sounds like you have something wired incorrectly - go back over all that you've doe to the car and double check every electrical connection......alternatively disconnect electrical items till it stops shorting - then you'll know whats causing the problem.

[joe_rolls_commo]

Only electricals I've touched are the a/c & the stereo. I'll check it out & get back to ya. Cheers buddy.