Strange interior light fault?

[Paul (93 Chim)]

Just fitted a new CD/Receiver and wanted to check to see if it had any impact on battery power drain, so fitted the multimeter in-between my battery negative teminal and lead. All ok but I have noticed when I operated the passenger door switch the amps went down to 0.03amps but when I operated it the next time it stayed up at 1.6amps, I found the same problem with the offside door, pressed once it's ok, pressed again it's stays at 1.6amps.
Anyone had any similar problems, could it be the relay behind the dashboard playing up.

Regards,

Paul.

[spend]

You might be triggering the heated mirrors, then switching them off (when door is frst opened)????

Dave

[Paul (93 Chim)]

Dave,

I thought the heated mirrors where operated by the switch underneath the left side of the steering column, do they come on automatically aswell? If so, if I leave the doors shut the heated mirror should switch off eventually.
I'll have a play 2morrow.
Thanks for your relpy, I'll let you know how I get on.

Paul

[spend]

Did say might.... My early model has a relay/timer in the aux relay panel under the dash cover. Mirrors heat for 5 mins or so when the ign is switched on, but go off immediately if the door is opened. Quick check by pulling the heated seat/mirror fuse may verify.

Dave

[Paul (93 Chim)]

Thanks Dave will have a play 2morrow, got to wine & dine the wife for anniversary.

Paul

[parrot of doom]

The switch above the left knee should operate the interior illumination, should it not?

[kenny320]

I thought it was a fan override, to aid cooling. Judging by the noise from under the bonnet anyway...

My interior lighting appears to be controlled by a knob above my right knee, near the bonnet release.


>> Edited by kenny320 cos he is increasingly confused by buttons 19:05

>> Edited by kenny320 on Saturday 26th March 19:13

[parrot of doom]

Mine has the same mod, but in the manual it says its for the dash lights.

[kenny320]

Good, you had me wondering there. I only discovered the switch was there recently and it's purpose only became clear even more recently Glad I've found it too. Watching the engine getting hotter and hotter can be a bit worrying.

[Paul (93 Chim)]

Yes, you were right, heated mirrors switch on with ignition and then off when the door is opened and the switch under the left of the steering column is a fan overide switch, but I am still getting 1.6amps when the car is locked unless I pull the interior light/horn and it goes down to 0.3amps, I have tried disconnecting the horns and int. light separately but nothing happens.
Any ideas.

Paul.

[spend]

Pure guess, is your alarm / immobilizer using one of those circuits, aren't they both constantly live? Pull the fuses & check alarm functions??

Not sure if you are saying they are same fuse (mine is for horn+int light) or 2 fuses....

BTW on mine the horn fuse is only for the switch side of the relay, power is thru the fan fuse.

Dave

[pupp]

No, no, no!!!... he mentioned alarm and immobiliser and gave away they run on electricity. Mods?? MODS!!!

[spend]

At least I was intimating that the alarm actually worked :-)

[Paul (93 Chim)]

Removed fuse (1 off) for int light/horn and the alarm and immobiliser still operates correctly, stumped!

[spend]

You are measuring it when the int light delay has expired are'nt you?

[Paul (93 Chim)]

Yep, waiting until the light int. goes out left it for 15 mins, no change. Wonder if the relay is at fault? Will have to take the dash cover of to test it.

[spend]

Isn't the interior light delay relay in your fusebox?

Under dash are the relays for indicator flasher, hazards, heated seats & heated mirrors.

Dave

[Paul (93 Chim)]

When I push the interior light switch by hand I can here a relay cutting in, sounds like it's from behind the dash. but in the bible it does say the relay is on the fuseboard in the footwell.

[spend]

Courtesy light delay relay is in the top right of the fusebox (viewed with the fuses at the bottom). The heated seats relay is under the dash, there is a an auxilliary relay holder near the heater controls. In mine it was the tall one, which the bible pictures as being the flasher.

Either may be at fault, you may be able deduce by removal.

Mail me if you want wiring diags I've drawn the fusebox & aux relay panel up.

Dave

[paul (93 chim)]

Dave,

Thanks for your help, off away to work for a couple of weeks, will have a play when I get home, let you know how I get on.

Paul.