Electrics Failure

[bennie]

Hi,

I have a 2+2 and on Monday after driving for 50-60 miles I noticed that the indicators had suddenly stopped working. 

I had actually just joined the A1(M) so over the next few miles a check revealed that the only thing still working was the engine. No indicators, radio, heater fan, electric windows, fuel gauge - the list goes on. I left the A1(M) and pulled into a layby.  

I pulled the bonnet release, got out of the car, went to the nearside to open the bonnet and my wife then said that the radio had started working. (Unfortunately I didn't have time to check the lights)

A further check revealed that everything else was back on line.

I did wonder whether the action of opening the door or using the boot release may have re-disturbed the wiring to make everything work again but when I got home and tried to move the wiring, where possible, everything kept on working.

I am now assuming that with everything failing that this is not a relay/fuse issue and it is a (major) intermittent earthing fault.  

However before starting a major hunt which will probably involve removing the dashboard I was looking for any suggestions, recommendations, advice as to whether my diagnosis is correct or whether it could be some simple fix! 

Any thoughts gratefully received.

Thanks

Phil Holden

[robert greig]

This sounds like a question Jim H is best to awnsew. 

My first thought was the relays.

But yes the earth, from the battery might be the first thing to check. 

Hope someone more capable that me can point you in the right direction. 

Regards Robert Greig. 

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

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[Dave English]

Hi Phil

Sounds connected with all your 'ignition on' electrics going at once. It's always worth checking Earths, but may also be worth looking at your fusebox around Fuse number 8.

I've had corrosion / overheating damage create an intermittent connection to a fuse before.

If this is the case, after a little wiring diagram studying, the feed to the fusebox from your ignition switch could be disconnecting from the fuse and the take off for the ignition relay. This would knock out all your 'ignition on' electrics except for the engine ignition and maybe the wipers which are both fed directly from the ignition switch.

You may need to drop the fusebox out to look at the back of it.

Hope this is of use

Regards

Dave English

Q2-009

[chris...@btinternet.com]

On the saloon there is a mass (lots of wires) earth connection on the A pillar next to the fuse box. If that gets loose it could explain your problems.

 

Also check the earth wires at the battery.

 

Chris G

[Jim Hearne]

There is a relay that switches the ignition power for almost everything ignition powered, except for the engine.
The engine is feed directly from the ignition switch.
This relay quite often overheats it's terminals in the fusebox.

I forget exactly which one it is but if you pull them out one at time you should see the discoloured pins and possibly melted plastic.

Jim

P.S , I did send this several days ago but just to Bernie by mistake.

[Bill Allison]

A quick check will confirm that it's a disconnected earth - connect a wire from battery -ve (at the battery itself) to the earthy side of any non-working item. If the problem is a bad earth the item will spring into life.

Best regards
Bill

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/quantumowners/C585D44BF3AC4A71BB1C088A8BE36BAA%40HomeNew.

[chris...@btinternet.com]

This should help.

 

Chris G

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[bennie]

Thank you for all your responses.

I have previously had problems with the 'ignition' relay as some time ago my wipers and heater fan stopped working. I found that this relay had melted the plastic in the fusebox around the terminals. I cleaned it up and all was well. I did make a note to address the issue in a more permanent manner but then forgot all about it - as you do!

As I lost all electrical items this time I wrongly assumed that the relay only controlled the wipers and the heater fan and so I was then looking for something which would affect everything. Oops. 

In respect of the relay do they heat up because they are beginning to fail or do they heat up through general use?

Initially I have decided to adopt the belt and braces approach and go down the new relay and holder/socket route and I am now waiting for these to arrive. 

First job will be to take out the drivers seat to make more room for the fuller figure and less bendiness and I can then check the earth on the A pillar at the same time.

Regards

Phil Holden