oldginger

Hi, the saga of my voyager is over because all those car techies advertising their wonderful talents for fixing all things electrical cant reset my ecu so my voyager has been scraped. I shall never own a modern computerised piece of junk again. The lap top I am using now is constantly updating resulting in having to reset all sorts of things. I have been putting up with B.S. Britain since that idiot Blair became chief idiot. I have two good classic cars that run well and are easy to fix, so happy days on the transport front. I just need to go retro in other ways. The stow-n-go is a very good design and a good practical car with good road manners. Its let down like all modern cars is computerised technology that's sort of ok in an office but totally useless in a metal box that's subject to all kinds of weather and temperature conditions, add to that wires that are only suitable for a model railway and there's the recipe for endless problems. You don't have to agree with me just check out the amount of fairly new cars for sale with electrical problems on line and on the forums. I just remembered that I am just 6ft away from a 1959 radiogram identical to the one my wife and I sat and played records on when we where courting, still have big collection of vinyl. The Voyager packed just before she died. Omen maybe, Thanks to you all for your help and suggestions, stay safe and I wish you well for the future, take care regards Roy.

Hi gordy, according to the guy that repaired it the only damage was to some printed circuits and they have been repaired and tested. He could not test the main program, with out the Chrysler security program. it can only be done in the car. Catch 22, Finding some one with the gear and knowledge to use it is the problem. The Jeep dealer in Swindon can help but It will cost because I will have to transport it. It could cost quite a lot more to find the problem and fix it. Catch 22 again. A lovely car like many others ruin by the computer generation because they think its the answer to everything. One day they will realise they have gone to far. I have not given up just yet but my patience is getting quite short now. That aside stay safe everyone, regards Roy.

Hi gordy, yes everything is doing what its supposed to do,but of course the ecu was damaged by a 12v spike and has had the damaged circuits repaired and tested as far as possible, but the crunch time for a full test is when its back on the car and started. Some advisors have said that it should fire right up but nothing happened.it turned over good but it did not fire. I am sure I need someone with the right gear to test it and there's the rub. So far no one around here wants to touch it. I have a couple more calls to make so I may still get lucky. At least my classic Rover and Maxi are going fine. Looks highly likely it will go for spares repair after Christmas if I have no luck. Since 1998 when I bought my Range Rover P38 every car I have owned since then has had electrical problems to some extent. I have been looking at classic cars for quite a while and have now taken the plunge. No computers, no aircon, power steering ,electric windows or anything else much. Just happy old fashioned motoring and cars that have to be driven. Since my wife passed in September I have found something to really smile about and although it can't replace her it is good fun and lots of people stop for a chat. I hope we all have a happy Christmas despite all that's going on and maybe I will find some to at least test my Voyager. Happy Christmas To All, Regards Roy.

Hi guys, as I said everything seems to be normal, which is exactly the same as the first time this happened back in September just before my wife died. Its as though it died with her. (weird). I waited about 10 minutes and cranked for about 10 seconds with 2 minute gaps 3 times The engine kind of juddered as it cranked but there was no sign of life in it. A mechanic in my local cafe with some experience of Chryslers today suggested the ecu maybe ok now but the next unit in the chain that governs the fuel cut off, immobiliser and other things may be the culprit. He's given me a couple more contacts to try but any light bulb moments greatly welcome ,Regards Roy.

Hi, I had an auto electrical tech phone me up and after chatting about the problems and work done so far he said no more can be done so bite the bullet, connect the battery and give it a go. Everything lit up as it should, nothing strange happened and it cranked over fast, but it would not fire up. The chap I spoke too knows his stuff but has moved on so he no longer has the gear to do any resetting. So,,,,, I still need a man with a Chrysler Grand Voyager 2.8 crd reader reset capability to see if there is further repair needed to the ecu. Once again any advice or help will be very welcome. Regards Roy.

Hi all, picked up Maxi yesterday and drove 97.5 miles back home, it did'nt miss a beat and kept up with the traffic well. It has full history and all bills and receipts. Lots of admirers at stop on way back. Had another good look round it today and a couple of cosmetic jobs to do otherwise, very good condition. I am not anticipating any welding for quite a while, it is Ziebarted from new and some usual rust points where dealt with a couple of years back. I had my first one from 75 to 81 and rust was not an issue. I am really desperate for someone with the right gear to get my voyager electrics and ecu reconnected and running. Needs to be mobile and in the Cheltenham area. Help and advice much appreciated, regards Roy.

OK guys, anyone following my Voyager problems will know my affection for the Maxi. Today I purchased one in reasonable condition. !976 with full history and historic status. I also purchased 3 weeks ago a 1991 Rover 214 sohc 8v carburettor model. They both have the same things in common. Muscle toning steering, windows etc, no central locking or immobiliser and above all else NO NAFF COMPUTER. Still waiting for some competent auto tech to fix my Voyager, in the mean time I am enjoying real motoring, and with all the things that's happened to me this year this touch of happy days is very welcome. Stay safe, regards Roy.

Hi gordy, all I have done is some basic earth and cable connection tests and fitted a recon alternator as advised by forum members. The ecu was damaged by a 12v spike according to the gentleman that repaired it. The auto tech that was going to reassemble it fell ill and has been forced to retire. He is 70. I need a tech with the correct gear to reset the ecu and hope it starts with out the ecu being damaged again. I have not reconnected the battery without an expert present and because I have been told not to until the original fault has been fixed. Thats the problem. No one I have phoned so far wants to touch it.

Hi Rab, thanks for the support. Daughter still unwell but I and many of my neighbours have got a repeating stomach bug problem. I guess its that time of year. Two weeks before my wife past away I went to move the car and it just would not start. This had not happened in the previous 14 months of ownership. I joined the forum after purchase and set about giving the car a full mechanical over haul. £1700 later job done and all the cars known foibles have been sorted. The only upgrade not done is the battery box. I have a new red top that has been performing well. I know a local auto electrician who came out and diagnosed a damaged ECU. He sent it away and it was repaired and tested as far as it could be. Apparently it can only be really tested in the car. The problem is the auto man took ill and testing showed he could not work any more(he is 70). I have contacts, friends and the forum looking for some one with the knowledge and expertise in the Cheltenham area to get it started. Many on the forum especially Andy thinks the 12v spike that caused the problem was the alternator, this has been replaced. The car has had some basic circuit tests but a knowledgeable person needs to be present with the right gear when the battery is reconnected. Everyone so far as not wanted to touch it. The car is in good order and far to good to scrap. It is a stow n go and until this, I believed it was the best car I had owned, but, like every car I have owned since the early nineties computer electrical faults have ruined them. I have purchased a 1991 sohc 8v Rover 214 with no ECU, power steering, electric windows, air con. central locking, just a radio cassette. I am going to see the most practical and easy to maintain car I have owned, I know my wife would approve and I wish she was here to see and decide at last that this a good one. 1976 Austin Maxi 1750. People who have read my topics would probably know this and I have my fingers crossed. I still want to fix the Voyager and may have to sell as spares repair. That's the position so far, if anyone has any idea's they are great fully received. Stay safe, and look after yourselves, Regards Roy.

Hi all, I have just finished refitting my rebuilt ECU and exchange alternator plus some basic circuit testing. I have to now find a good mobile auto electrician with diagnostic knowledge to help get it started or it will go for spares ,repair losing me lots of time and money. Daughters cancer op. postponed due to stomach bug and youngest sons marriage has broke up. What a !!!!!!!!!!! year. I still cannot get an answer to ( how does a covid 19 germ know it has to die at 2 metres distant?) and after spending millions on field hospitals some idiot expert decides to put people with an infectious and incurable decease into the general hospital population putting all staff and existing patients at risk as well as closing cancer and other serious illness units leading to premature deaths and it still goes on. Enough of that. if anyone knows a good mobile auto electrician in the Cheltenham area please let me know, regards to all and stay safe Roy.

Hi all, I have just purchased an exchange alternator from the outfit as used by soupstone, thanks for that. In the meantime between the rubbish weather that's forecast in the coming days I will attempt to do some wiring checks.I live on a park home site and broken down cars sat on drives for too long is frowned upon,so I have got to look busy.I will keep you all informed but all ideas are much welcome as stated before. Just heard from my daughter grandsons operation successful may home tonight or tomorrow morning. Maybe things are on the turn for the better. Got to keep positive,stay safe everyone,regards Roy.

HI all, I have had a look at the exchange deal and saved it. The only info on this aapoldham alternator is a do not remove warranty label with 94 2626 on it, My car for new readers is a CGV 2.8 crd stow n go. 2005. I will wait until Monday to order my alternator to see if anyone else has any thoughts on my fried ECU. I must check some of the earth connections for the higher power items in the engine bay. As i have said before if anyone has any ideas on fried ECU causes I would like to hear them, regards all, Roy.(old ginger).

Hi Andy, I have removed the alternator and its a aapoldham . Other than the name there seems to be no other info. I think its a refurb and my research is showing 5 star feed back but I do not put much stock in those. I can't see anything wrong but I think I will try something with more repute. If you have any recommendations I would be grateful. that goes for the whole membership. A decent alternator please gents . and where to get it. Thanks bignev. and my daughters youngest Arron is in hospital to day to have a shunt fitted tomorrow to relieve pressure on the brain. Hopefully this will see him right for his future. I am hoping this car saga will be over soon. All help gratefully received. Roy.

Hi Andy, I knew it would involve more money and it looks like I will have to do it myself. Having connected the new alternator is it easy to reconnect the ECU and then the battery or am I oversimplifying it? I have just bought a 1991 Rover 214s 8v with; A.no ECU. B. carburetor. C.no air con. D.muscle toning windows and steering. E. no sunroof. but it has got a radio cassette player. 33232 miles with service history,excellent paintwork and mechanics, kept in a garage. I missed out on a couple of maxi's recently but i have not give up on that. I am worried about the money, if this repair does not work it will such a shame to scrap or sell it for spares/repair.The dilemma goes on. I will let you know what happens ,regards, Roy.

Hi all, after much waiting, a long story, I have my ecu back but the tech who was handling it has had a stroke and cannot complete the refit. Problem!!! before the ecu can be fitted the 12v leakage issue must be sorted because this caused the damage in the first place. This will require old fashioned electrical fault finding and here lies the problem. I cannot find anyone here in Cheltenham that will touch it because it involves nothing more than a meter/circuit tester and grubbing around an engine bay, with some knowledge and a slice of luck in finding it quickly. To add to this it will have to be done on my drive because the technician who started the job was a mobile man. £1700 has been spent on a full service cambelt kit new brakes and a hand brake that works reasonably well. Coolant system overhaul which means it also works reasonably well. I have been running the car on Archoil fuel treatment since last January and it passed mot with flying colours back in June. I would love this car on the road but at this rate it looks like a spares/repair sale or scrap yard if I can't get help. For those who know this saga at least my daughter was told last week that a new approach to her cancer treatment which will start after an operation on November18 my 72nd birthday could be very beneficial. I am open to suggestion and advice, particularly on common electrical faults. I wish you all well, regards Roy.