jcarney1995

cheers dude, now to figure out what the pine code for my 23 year old car is haha

I have an 98 300tdi that one day decided it wouldn't start, put a brand new starter motor on but I suspect its the immobiliser. I know nothing about electrics but I'm getting 12v at the battery, 12v at the starter motor and even 12v at the ignition but it drops to 0 when I turn the key. To make it more confusing too I can get headlights but no radio or hazards/ indicators. I've also checked all the fuses and they seem fine. Gonna include a pic of the immobiliser, if anyone has any ideas I would really appreciate it before I bite the bullet and pay some auto electrician lol

out of curiosity would an alternator charge a battery that is loosing charge, back up to full charge? perhaps its just an issue of losing charge and not necessarily the alternator ?

the problem is with everything on i sometimes have the issue of indicators not working or headlights turning off, thats when it gets really bad, i usually find to fix that i can just recharge the battery and put it back in but then it seems i lose charge over time. Ive also noticed the battery light coming on when i start the car but it goes away after a few revs of the engine. But yeah basically i tihnk that rules out it being an issue with just the gauge, it seems it can be any and all electronics in the car, fuel gauge just seems to be first to take the hit

cheers dude, its now on my to do list along with buy a multimeter!

multimeter is now in my amazon basket, will have ago at testing whilst running and clean up the earth points

is there any advantages to the bigger alternator? i just assumed it would be a good investment as i begin to add more electronics to the car, i.e a diesel heater, led headlights etc.

when you say check it, do you mean just check it has contact with the chassis?

Hi guys, ive got a 98 300tdi that seems to be playing up ever since it got a new battery ( could be that? ) ive noticed after a full charge over time my battery loses charge, or so it seems. It starts with my fuel gauge not showing a full tank when it has a full tank, the more electronics i turn on in the car, i.e radio, headlights, indicators etc. the lower the fuel gauge goes, i cant figure out if this is an issue with the alternator not charging, the battery being a dud, or my uncle said something about potentially a faulty earthing wire? was hoping someone could help nail down what it is before i go buy a new version of it haha, also if its the alternator does anyone know how much hassle it is to install an aftermarket uprated one? and if it is worth it. cheers john