View Full Version : Had a mafless tune- now car wont charge
Hi guys.
My car had a mafless tune the other day and was very happy with the results. Drove it a good 2 hours after and it was fine. Went to start it later on and it was dead- it wouldnt roll start, but started when the RACV connected a jumper battery to it. The RACV said it was the alternator, but the mechanic did a bench test and the alternator was fine.
After putting it back, the battery all of a sudden started taking charge and hours later it was still working, so they gave the car back to me.
I went to drive the car just before, and it's done the same thing again- whilst driving, it starts saying ABS fault, lights dim and eventually goes dead.
Is this is purely conicidence that I had the tune done on the same day? To me, it still sounds like the alternator, but the mechanic bench tested it and couldnt find an issue. What do you guys think the problem could be? The mechanic when I left today said they would have called an auto electrician as the next step, but I am thinking its something simpler.
Thanks
peter b
29-09-2011, 10:37 PM
what model car??
Oops forgot to mention. It's a VZ SS.
axemurderer101
29-09-2011, 10:41 PM
sounds like an alternator problem, and possibly a flat or faulty battery
you could check the voltage yourself by holding set and mode then turn the key to ignition, this will bring up the diagnostic thing on the dash. keep pressing the mode button until you get to voltage, then go for a drive and see if it starts playing up again and keep an eye onthe voltage.
peter b
29-09-2011, 10:47 PM
oops forgot to mention. It's a vz ss.
ls1, ls2, l98???
jed21
29-09-2011, 10:54 PM
It sound very much like the alt or battery. Since there not changing anything mechanical on the tune you would think it has to just be a coincidence. Electronics do funny things when the voltage is dropping away so that may explain the ABS light coming on. So the car dies while your driving? If so its the Alt, the car should run fine just of the supply from the alt even if the battery is toast.
dogsballs
29-09-2011, 11:36 PM
change the battery and put new bushes in the alternator.
HEKYEH
29-09-2011, 11:52 PM
Put it on a tow truck...take it back to the engine tuner at their expense....and get them to fix it.
macca_779
30-09-2011, 12:00 AM
I can't see how a tune could possible effect the charging system. Coincidence.
AQICLS3
30-09-2011, 12:01 AM
Check to see if your power steering fluid has been leaking on the conections to the alternator. Might find its effected the wiring. Common problem
VZ_V8
30-09-2011, 12:04 AM
Put it on a tow truck...take it back to the engine tuner at their expense....and get them to fix it.
Who says its their fault, could be completely coincidental? The better solution would be to get it fixed by an auto sparky or something and then if it turns out that it was caused by something the tuner did then send them the bill. But seriously think about it, how could a mafless tune kill an alternator or battery :confused: :rolleyes:
Tre-Cool
30-09-2011, 12:27 AM
get your tuner to underclock the battery power again. obviously they have gone too far and this is causing you issues.
rofl
pure coincidence and if anyone thinks otherwise is... well, a bit silly.
fishla
30-09-2011, 06:47 AM
Probably coincidence.
It's probably just your battery on it's last legs.
Stupid question, but did you test it with a multimeter?
You should have about 12.2v at rest and about 14.4v with the car running (charging).
whitels1ss
30-09-2011, 07:55 AM
Put it on a tow truck...take it back to the engine tuner at their expense....and get them to fix it.
Heck Yeah..... and I would also name them and shame them on the forum! :jester:
Not saying this is the case here but if it's an 6.0L Car it has Alternator control as part of the Tune.....
peter b
30-09-2011, 08:19 AM
Might want to load test the battery but this depends on the engine you have as to how it gets charged the last of the vz's were basically a guinea pig for the VE and as such they way it charges is the same they dont constantly charge they let battery drop down and then ramp up and charge and so forth so IF his car has an L98 engine good chance he is only seeing it not charge at these instances. In this case would look like the battery is what is stuffed.
Funny people say it can't be coincidence and go to blame a tuner without knowing all details. Ahh my fuel pump died just after a tune do you think my tuner killed it too?? :confused:
To the OP ensure you are testing the charging system correctly and load test the battery more chances it being a battery.
Peter B - CV8
30-09-2011, 08:26 AM
Make sure you check the "ignition relay" in your fuse panel/s (under bonnet & under dash). A faulty relay can prevent the battery from charging..... as I found out recently. Sometimes it's the simple things :jester:
whitels1ss
30-09-2011, 08:26 AM
Funny people say it can't be coincidence and go to blame a tuner without knowing all details.
Hey Peter, did you miss the :jester: in my post ? :confused:
:doh::stick::lmao::lmao::lmao:
I was being sarcastic buddy!
Yeah, it would be a coincidence. ;)
Hey Peter, did you miss the :jester: in my post ? :confused:
:doh::stick::lmao::lmao::lmao:
I was being sarcastic buddy!
Yeah, it would be a coincidence. ;)
It "might" be a coincidence ;)
I posted about the Alt control being adjustable in the tune to highlight that a Tune "might" affect it as a lot of people seemed to jump straight on the "Couldn't possibly be the tune" bandwagon...
Now it's up to the OP to actually test/diagnose the actual issue, if he can't then find someone who can.
STATIE
30-09-2011, 08:34 AM
Put it on a tow truck...take it back to the engine tuner at their expense....and get them to fix it.
Are you for real?:hmmm:
Realistically lock - I would at least give the tuner a ring & mention it & see what they say, but it's doubtfull it would be due to the tune - best way is to probably get it to them (as long as they are Mechanics) & get them to sort it out either way - just don't expect them to foot the bill for an alternator or battery though.
peter b
30-09-2011, 08:39 AM
Hey Peter, did you miss the :jester: in my post ? :confused:
:doh::stick::lmao::lmao::lmao:
I was being sarcastic buddy!
Yeah, it would be a coincidence. ;)
Yes I picked up on your sarcasm my post wasn't really directed at you mate.
In regards to being able to change some parameters doesn't mean that every tuner will change it and make it not charge I find this highly unlikely as the car went in for a tune not can you make my battery charge or in this case not charge. The fact that he noticed it charging for a while then not charging would suggest to me that he has the later model but will know more when he answers about WHAT ENGINE dude??
whitels1ss
30-09-2011, 08:41 AM
It "might" be a coincidence ;)
I posted about the Alt control being adjustable in the tune to highlight that a Tune "might" affect it as a lot of people seemed to jump straight on the "Couldn't possibly be the tune" bandwagon...
Now it's up to the OP to actually test/diagnose the actual issue, if he can't then find someone who can.
Hey IJ, sorry but my post above was not directed at you mate.
Certainly I was not having a dig at you. :cheers:
Yeah, I get what you are saying there, no argument, but I doubt it would
be a tuning issue but you could be correct and it could be.
I was just defending myself with my missed sarcastic joke with HEYKEH. ;)
PeterB: And as I said in my 1st post "I'm not saying this is the case here"....
Just figured some might not know 6.0's had Alternator control and I'd put it out there to maybe improve the knowledge base here..
Won't bother in future.
White: LOL it's cool Dude didn't take it that way at all
(did ya miss my ;) )
whitels1ss
30-09-2011, 08:43 AM
Yes I picked up on your sarcasm my post wasn't really directed at you mate.
Hey all good buddy!;)
whitels1ss
30-09-2011, 08:46 AM
White: LOL it's cool Dude didn't take it that way at all
(did ya miss my ;) )
Hey all cool mate. :cheers:
peter b
30-09-2011, 08:51 AM
PeterB: And as I said in my 1st post "I'm not saying this is the case here"....
Just figured some might not know 6.0's had Alternator control and I'd put it out there to maybe improve the knowledge base here..
Won't bother in future.
White: LOL it's cool Dude didn't take it that way at all
(did ya miss my ;) )
Never said you did and my posts werent really directed at you in any way mate was more to do with a couple others.
The issue here is we are all trying to guess what engine the car has.
I know very well the 6 litre has alternator control but also know that testing such system you cant just put the multimeter across the battery as sometimes it will show charge sometimes it wont so how he is proving that it isn't charging is beyond me.
First thing understand how the car works do that and are able to diagnose most issues.
Have a good day :nyuk:
duke5700
30-09-2011, 09:19 AM
Put it on a tow truck...take it back to the engine tuner at their expense....and get them to fix it.
:lol: You tell em Andy
WOMBIE
30-09-2011, 10:30 AM
Even though it could be an alternator is it a 5-6 year old ride with the original battery?As we all know the arse of one of those suckers can fall out at any given time after intermittent problems with charging and the like......
I'm calling 'coincidence' in this case and time for a battery change!
OK guys.
To put everyone's mind at rest, we did the tune on Locky's VZ.
I am getting it picked up from his place and bringing her back to the shop so we can see what is going on with the charging system.
We will sort it out
Chev
peter b
30-09-2011, 11:24 AM
OK guys.
To put everyone's mind at rest, we did the tune on Locky's VZ.
I am getting it picked up from his place and bringing her back to the shop so we can see what is going on with the charging system.
We will sort it out
Chev
Chev as always :goodjob:
duke5700
30-09-2011, 11:41 AM
:lol: Chev its not your fault..
Good customer service though :goodjob:
OK guys.
To put everyone's mind at rest, we did the tune on Locky's VZ.
I am getting it picked up from his place and bringing her back to the shop so we can see what is going on with the charging system.
We will sort it out
Chev
After removing and dismantling the alternator for further inspection, we found evidence of water. (Lock had just brought the car from Queensland). Shaun fitted a new alternator and I drove her home whilst scanning charge voltage. All good.
Chev
MrBerlina
04-10-2011, 07:54 AM
Chev seems to have mastered the art of great customer service. He turns the whole "could it be the tune" drama on it's head, fixing the problem for the guy even though it clearly had nothing to do with the tune, and doing so with a minimum of fuss.
Good work Chev!
macca33
04-10-2011, 07:57 AM
It was NEVER going to have anything at all to do with the tune - how could it possibly???
Good work again Chev...:thumbsup:
AQICLS3
04-10-2011, 09:38 AM
Great customer service as always chev :goodjob:
Wonky
04-10-2011, 01:24 PM
Chev seems to have mastered the art of great customer service. He turns the whole "could it be the tune" drama on it's head, fixing the problem for the guy even though it clearly had nothing to do with the tune, and doing so with a minimum of fuss.
Good work Chev!
:yup: Customer service personified! :goodjob:
NIXON
04-10-2011, 04:46 PM
It was NEVER going to have anything at all to do with the tune - how could it possibly???
Good work again Chev...:thumbsup:
Yeah, but then there would be a non tune related thread on here and we can't have that can we lol
I must say that's bloody good customer service chev.
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