Dodgy electrics

[Saad]

Twice now I've been having some "issues".

Both times there has been two things in common, there's been 5 in the car with 3 on the back seat, and I've been making almost exactly the same 10 minute journey with the problem appearing after about 3-4mins.

The 1st time my rev counter just 'turned off', and along with it the internal fan/heater also stopped working. A friend suggested fuses but since it's got the 4 fuse box there's a lot of fuses dotted around in cartridges that I couldn't be bothered to check. I checked the two in the box (2 have been relocated externally) and they were fine and jiggled a few cartridges to no avail. About 24 hours later both problems were 'magically' cured and I couldn't see any reason at all for this happening.

This second time, my indicators have gone entirely. The stalk clicks both ways but the internal lights don't come on, there's no tick-tock, none of the external lights come on, and the hazard switch doesn't light up. It hasn't been 24 hours yet but I'll check again tomorrow working to see if they've started working again.

Now this has got me totally confused. Any ideas what could be causing this and how are all of these three things related in any way?? They must be in some tiny way.

[Lisa]

I know that fealing! its a daily problem and i cant seem to sort mine either :(

[Cymro]

hi you guys, you are definately on the right track with the fuse box. Not only do you check and clean the fuse holders (both ends) but also the male terminals that receive the wire connections. Here also check tightness of the female connectors, also tightness both ends of the fuse holders. Check and clean earth connections ( I mean remove and clean each connector & body part). These fuse boxes are a pain, but you will sort it out if you have patience, good luck!!!!!:cool:

[moddinmad]

also try the relay on the bulk head as water just drips onto it.. (i know happend to mine) dunno bout the rev counter tho?? :confused:

[Deano]

Remove clean and grease the fuse box and all conectors :) and if possible change it to blade type fuse box available from demaon tweeks.
Cheers Deano

[Saad]

Right I'll get onto the fuse box. I thought the flasher relay might be causing the indicator problem but it wasn't (what a waste of a tenner!)

[Lisa]

Thanks guys:) will give it a go

[Gr4H4m]

I used a fiber pen.. you can get them from Maplins, give the surfaces a brush and the when you put it back together use a small amount of grease on the connectors should stop them from corroding again... P.S mine looked fine before I cleaned them... it just has to be enough...

[charlie_mini]

its not a short or dodgy connection somwere is it? mine was shorting in the boot were the + battery cable goes through the boot, caused really bad running and my rev counter to have a mind of its own! ?? just a thought :D

[Saad]

right, after sanding the contacts on the fusebox, it hasn't fixed it :( but it must be fuse related because I've realised my interior light isn't working either, and according to Haynes, the indicators and interior light are on the same fuse.

My friend recommends a new fusebox but I don't see how that'll change anything. GAY!

[TONYELF]

!2 v electrics are a pain in the arse! Unlike 240 v switches and connections have enough volts/amps going through them to create a spark and keep them clean in a dry atmosphere, whereas 12 v on a car standing outside don't, hence dirty connections which also corrode. Rust on an earth point only shows up when it doesn't work !
All I can suggest is you pull each connection apart, fuse spades, everything wipe,clean and connect them . some peeps spray them with WD 40 (it puts a sort of waterproof coating on to a certain extent)
It's a tedius job some times but It does pay to have someone sitting in the car trying the switches each time you check a connection.
Good luck with that and please let us know so as to pass the tip on.

[Cymro]

Hi glad you have narrowed it down to the fuse box, you can also get dodgy glass fuses, (ones where the fuse wire comes away at one end). good advise to re-new fuse box. better if you change to the new two spade fuse box.

[Saad]

It was a fuse I had supposedly checked all along!

Basically that fuse I said had gone, but when I replaced it made nothing work, was actually the in line fuse for the indicators/hazards and the interior light. The reason they didn't start working was the fuses I bought from Halfords were dud fuses. I deduced this thanks to three amazing things:

1. I got my hands on a multimeter
2. I finally understood that when Haynes said "in line fuses", they weren't fuses in the main 4 fuse block (seems simple enough but yes, I'm a spacker).
3. The wiring diagram suddenly made sense and I worked out which coloured wires should be either side of the fuse.

So I found the in line fuse that should have been blown and I opened it and in there was a brand new Halfords fuse that I had put in. Suddenly things began to click. I picked up the other two Halfords fuses, tried each one and nothing happened. I checked the input with the multimeter and it was live so I just straight connected the fuse holder ends and everything worked!! Oh I feel clever and stupid at the same time.

[Cymro]

good for you chief

[charlie_mini]

Well Done Mate! :D Top job!

[Gr4H4m]

Well done mate, its great when you solve a problem

[TONYELF]

Does'nt it just bug you when you've "been all round the world and you find it on your doorstep?" as the saying goes.
I know I say with hindsight (a wonderful thing !) but always check the obvious ! I once bought two brand new duff bulbs and spent hours looking for a fault before testing the bulbs out (looked perfect) and boy did I have a job getting them swapped for good ones! It was only when the shop tested those in the box and found every single one a duff !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that He GAVE me two spares as well as the two I bought.... and bugger me I've never ever used them LOL:D
I'm glad you found "the fault" Saad. You probably know the electrics like the back of your hand now !

[ryan]

i think mine is the same but even the horn and the wipers stoped

[charlie_mini]

id double check all your fuses mate, make sure all the terminals on your fuse box are nice and clean and there are no breaks in the wiring on the spade terminals (and that the fuses haven't blown 2) good luck!

[ryan]

hi charlie yesterday i cleaned the fuses box and the terminals a good clean
and when i fit the fuses bought blowed what do you think?