My beloved MOT failure
- Thread starter AdrianComPB
- Start date
Thanks for the pic's 
looks a nice tidy van,what part of the country are you ?have you owned the van long?do you have any history?what can you tell us about it,does it have a name ?
looks a nice tidy van,what part of the country are you ?have you owned the van long?do you have any history?what can you tell us about it,does it have a name ?I live just outside London and have had the van around 5 years now.
The camper doesn't have a name as such. Unless of course if it's misbehaving by over heating or mis firing or not letting me tighten or loosen any of its nuts and bolts, then it has all manner of X-rated names.
The van has had all manner of problems (or as I like to call them, challenges) but am pleased to say we've overcome them all until yesterday.
Apart from my drop link blues, the strange thing that is happening with it at the mo is that the red light on the dash is on when the keys are not in the ignition. When you put the keys in and turn to the 'red light' position the red light goes out but the oil pressure light comes on. It starts ok, but the battery is draining quickly. I've checked the ignition switch and for any other signs of obvious short circuits. Have come to the conclusion it must be the alternator. A new one was delivered Friday and I was going to fit it today but as you know the MOT garage is looking after it at the moment.
What do you think? Does that sound like the alternator has given up the will to live?
The camper doesn't have a name as such. Unless of course if it's misbehaving by over heating or mis firing or not letting me tighten or loosen any of its nuts and bolts, then it has all manner of X-rated names.
The van has had all manner of problems (or as I like to call them, challenges) but am pleased to say we've overcome them all until yesterday.
Apart from my drop link blues, the strange thing that is happening with it at the mo is that the red light on the dash is on when the keys are not in the ignition. When you put the keys in and turn to the 'red light' position the red light goes out but the oil pressure light comes on. It starts ok, but the battery is draining quickly. I've checked the ignition switch and for any other signs of obvious short circuits. Have come to the conclusion it must be the alternator. A new one was delivered Friday and I was going to fit it today but as you know the MOT garage is looking after it at the moment.
What do you think? Does that sound like the alternator has given up the will to live?
Welcome to the Forum Adrian.
Don't think that you can get away with not having a name for your van for long! Suggestions will soon be coming your way. Being a Highwayman, there could be a theme i.e. Turpin.
Hope you get your drop link sorted and the electrical issues. Again I'm sure you will get lots of assistance from the forum.
I'm afraid I don't have a Commer at present, just a couple of odd old French machines
Don't think that you can get away with not having a name for your van for long! Suggestions will soon be coming your way. Being a Highwayman, there could be a theme i.e. Turpin.
Hope you get your drop link sorted and the electrical issues. Again I'm sure you will get lots of assistance from the forum.
I'm afraid I don't have a Commer at present, just a couple of odd old French machines
Thanks for the welcome wishes Debs and Renaultvation.
I think I may have struck gold with Martin Maltas. He thinks he may have a second hand link, but will check tomorrow, weather permitting.
As for a name... the reg is VMT 924M(?) not much there to work with I'm afraid Debs! Hadn't really thought about it before but it is certainly very well loved by my young lady and I, so 'Beloved' it may just have to be!
What rides do you guys have?
I think I may have struck gold with Martin Maltas. He thinks he may have a second hand link, but will check tomorrow, weather permitting.
As for a name... the reg is VMT 924M(?) not much there to work with I'm afraid Debs! Hadn't really thought about it before but it is certainly very well loved by my young lady and I, so 'Beloved' it may just have to be!
What rides do you guys have?
I'm another Chris by the way!
As I said above, I don't currently have a Commer, but I spent my childhood holidays in one.
My current rides aren't yet roadworthy, both renault 17's from 1972 and 1973. I have some pics on http://66.129.69.181/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1096&whichpage=3
As I said above, I don't currently have a Commer, but I spent my childhood holidays in one.
My current rides aren't yet roadworthy, both renault 17's from 1972 and 1973. I have some pics on http://66.129.69.181/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1096&whichpage=3
Hi Adrian,
Welcome to the forum, nice to see another commer out and about - looks in great condition. Had that problem with the red light and in my case yes it was the alternator - have now got a slightly beefier one which seems happy with all its' charges. Hope yours proves easily fixed and best of luck with MOT
Welcome to the forum, nice to see another commer out and about - looks in great condition. Had that problem with the red light and in my case yes it was the alternator - have now got a slightly beefier one which seems happy with all its' charges. Hope yours proves easily fixed and best of luck with MOT
Adrain
It might be worth checking the wiring on the back of the ignition switch block in case theres leakage across the back of the terminals. Also suggests that it may be the regulator control of the alternator (just behind the plactic back) rather than the alternator itself. But a new alternator will fix this anyway as it will come with a new internal regulator. Dont know anything about Commers myself but a little about vehicle electrics.
Was an alternator OE or did they originally dynamos?
Cheers
Jules
RatSport www.ratsport.co.uk
It might be worth checking the wiring on the back of the ignition switch block in case theres leakage across the back of the terminals. Also suggests that it may be the regulator control of the alternator (just behind the plactic back) rather than the alternator itself. But a new alternator will fix this anyway as it will come with a new internal regulator. Dont know anything about Commers myself but a little about vehicle electrics.
Was an alternator OE or did they originally dynamos?
Cheers
Jules
RatSport www.ratsport.co.uk
Some good pics and general van info on website
http://www.commervanfan.co.uk/vans.html
hope to see yours here soon
think Martins' page needs updating, looking a little sparse now with only the 7 vans[:0]
http://www.commervanfan.co.uk/vans.html
hope to see yours here soon
think Martins' page needs updating, looking a little sparse now with only the 7 vans[:0]
You guys have some glorious Commers!
Debs, Skye is simply beautiful! And in such good condition. It looks like it rolled off the production line last week! I covert your paint job! The last paint job mine had (which was by the last owner) used a paint brush!
Chris (aka Renaultvation) you my friend look like you have your hands full with those little fellas. The very best of luck to you.
Studiocommer, I've also gone for the more beefier alternator. Have a nagging feeling that it was the big old/new leisure battery that my young lady got me as birthday present may have been the final straw for the current alternator.
Thanks for that Jules. I'll let you know how I get on. And I may be calling on your knowledge of electrics when I get around to the daunting but necessary job of re-wiring the Beloved one!
Just wanted to say that I've had a rather bad opinion of forums before. Usually full of very cliquey people that hate newbies. But you guys are great and have been so welcoming.
Thanks!
Debs, Skye is simply beautiful! And in such good condition. It looks like it rolled off the production line last week! I covert your paint job! The last paint job mine had (which was by the last owner) used a paint brush!
Chris (aka Renaultvation) you my friend look like you have your hands full with those little fellas. The very best of luck to you.
Studiocommer, I've also gone for the more beefier alternator. Have a nagging feeling that it was the big old/new leisure battery that my young lady got me as birthday present may have been the final straw for the current alternator.
Thanks for that Jules. I'll let you know how I get on. And I may be calling on your knowledge of electrics when I get around to the daunting but necessary job of re-wiring the Beloved one!
Just wanted to say that I've had a rather bad opinion of forums before. Usually full of very cliquey people that hate newbies. But you guys are great and have been so welcoming.
Thanks!
Adrian, if you think I've got my hands full, take a look at Martin's TV detector van [:0][:0][xx(]
http://66.129.69.181/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=108
http://66.129.69.181/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=108
welcome adrian ,van looks good, and good luck with the mot.
we are not prejudice on here, we hate everybody equally
"you were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off"
,van looks good, and good luck with the mot.we are not prejudice on here, we hate everybody equally
"you were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off"
Leisure battery sounds like a very sensible birthday present to me - sure beats new socks
Forum full of some good sorts - all commers are welcome in all stages of restoration/decay - originality/rodded - common factor seems to be that they are all loved and we're all barking[xx(][:0]
Forum full of some good sorts - all commers are welcome in all stages of restoration/decay - originality/rodded - common factor seems to be that they are all loved and we're all barking[xx(][:0]
Very funny Panky! You made me laugh out loud.
Renaultvation Chris, you've made me feel completely our of my league. Acid dip! I would've thought anything that full of holes would've wanted an acid bath as much as good day out at the beach with all that lovely salty air! I'm only half joking. Given your friends knowledge I'm sure an acid bath is actually good for it, but God only knows how!
StudioCommer, it would've been a truly great present if it hadn't've killed my alternator (and consequently cost me yet more money)! Which was't my lovely lady's fault or the van's or the alternator's probably! My next present I've requested (coming soon to a christmas near me!) is an air compressor so I can sand blast and re-spray the little rust heap that has captured my heart and imagination. And regarding your comment about us all being completely barking... I have to disagree most strongly! I think us that sees the beauty in these Commers and want to restore them to their former glory are the sane ones and it's those that can't see it, aren't! But saying that, I have to say, it has been my experience that the vast majority of Joe Public love a Commer. I'm always chuffed to bits to get a thumbs up or just a fat big ol' grin from a ped or fellow driver as I struggle down the road.
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Renaultvation Chris, you've made me feel completely our of my league. Acid dip! I would've thought anything that full of holes would've wanted an acid bath as much as good day out at the beach with all that lovely salty air! I'm only half joking. Given your friends knowledge I'm sure an acid bath is actually good for it, but God only knows how!
StudioCommer, it would've been a truly great present if it hadn't've killed my alternator (and consequently cost me yet more money)! Which was't my lovely lady's fault or the van's or the alternator's probably! My next present I've requested (coming soon to a christmas near me!) is an air compressor so I can sand blast and re-spray the little rust heap that has captured my heart and imagination. And regarding your comment about us all being completely barking... I have to disagree most strongly! I think us that sees the beauty in these Commers and want to restore them to their former glory are the sane ones and it's those that can't see it, aren't! But saying that, I have to say, it has been my experience that the vast majority of Joe Public love a Commer. I'm always chuffed to bits to get a thumbs up or just a fat big ol' grin from a ped or fellow driver as I struggle down the road.
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