i posted the other day about my rear lights/interior not working (mk4 escort). anyway ive fitted new bulb holders/stalk and still have nothing at the back other than indicators. i think ive fitted the connect-to-bulb holders upside down but not sure. ive tried both ways still no joy. anyway after attempting to test lights the engine cut and showed symptoms of a dead battery on trying to restart. the fuel pump would prime but not turn the starter motor. after a breif charge the same thing happened. the car started fine the died/not turning the starter ect. any ideas please. its as if the battery is been drained rather than holding charge but the lights instanly flatten it and cut the engine. instantly i mean the min you hit the switch.

 

Sounds like either a short or someones dodgy wiring.

I assume the fuse does not blow?

Martin

 

Im having the same problem on my van (mk6) with the indicators. Ive been told too change the fusebox next!

 

Alryt mate ive just tried to take my mk4 xr3i for an MOT and im having the exact same problems! Starts fine then soon as you put the lights on it kills then engine! If i find the problem out then i'll let you no! If you sort it before me could you let me no! Cheers!

 

hi there, it seems either the battery is dud or the charger wasnt charging. refitted the trickle charged battery and would not even crank the engine however there was enough juice to quickly try the lights that ive refitted. the new holders been pattern shite were gripping the bulbs. ie not allowing contact. so after changing the 5 fuses i had blown it seems i have lights/indicators bar n/s indicator. on closer ins[pection it seems the connector block is fucked thush not allowing the needed contact. they ind conectors inside the block have 2-3mm of lateral and vertical play, sometimes not even going onto the male(bulb holder) spade. ive swappred stalk/holder and bulbs aswell as the fuses i chuffed up. i think the battery or charger is dead and is a seperate issue but once i try the other charger i can eliminate. def seems like a short somerwhere though ie the engine dying when hitting the lihghts? there isnt a fuse for the alternator somehow is there? cant see it myself. i just changed all the fuses 1 at a time. is there some sort of reg/relay that allows the battery to provide its current thsat i may have cooked? ps the other charger has 3 lights, 2 of witch say bulk charge and foayt charge. atm its on bulk charge indicating the battery is flat. can someone clarify? cheers, ill let you know what i find mate

 

Abit much for me to read and understand lol. I reckon it could be the battery as mines old and been in storage for over a year so im going to swap iyt with my diesel van battery tomorrow which is new so if it still dosnt work then i no its not the battery.

 

Been told it could be the earth by the battery

 

right, heres what i found. fiddling with the dodghy lights (rear) i had fitted the connectors wrong way rnd and shorted half a dozen fuses. one of whitch was the dash/clocks lights. well after reading that the clocks light and the alternator are linked i reckon the battetry wasnt charging because id blown the fuse for the dash. if the blue wire is disconnected or i pressume the circuit is broken (fuse) then this explains the flat battery. upons getting a good earth/bulbs/holders and fuses the battery is now holding charge despite the cold. a 10-min blast should have replenished some charge. hth, sounds like your problem could be the same.

 

I'll check mine. Still think on mine its the earth as i remember it was loose. I will check it tho and see what happens

 

Mate of mine had pretty much same problem he change alternator now fine he brought new batt as he thought wa that

I havent read all u have done but have u put a multimeter on the batter while u manage to get her running ??

 

In a word yes, it will be the one for the instrument cluster...

Yes, the output from the alternator (or any generator) has to be regulated otherwise it would put out too much power. You want to see no more than 14V with the engine running. In the case of these the regulator is an integral unit which can easily be removed.

This would not cause it to die every time the lights were on, nor blow fuses, this would be caused by a short.

Martin