New Chimaera owner with some electrical issues....
Discussion
Hi everyone,
A new and very proud 96 Mk2 Chim 450 owner here (Starmist Green with biscuit interior).
I did something a little bit crazy at the end of last year - I bought this car blind on eBay. I know all the stories out there - "test drive at least a million examples before you settle on the right one, it's Martian technology that can only be repaired by a select few" ect.
I'm fairly handy with the spanners having had loads of old cars on the past (I still have a Rev3 MR2 Turbo that's been in in storage for the past 12 years). About 15 years ago, a neighbour took me for a spin in his 92 pre-cat Griff and the listening to the revs rise from a burble, then into a snarl, then into a banshee like V8 wail that could be heard for literally miles around made me swore to myself there and then that one day, one of these cars would be mine - and luckily so it has turned out.
The car had a full MOT when I bought it and when I checked online, very few advisories over the years, and none at all for rust (car has 37k which checks out with the MOT history online). Outriggers are solid, if a little crispy here and there.
Anyway, as per the title (and as expected really) the electrics aren't perfect.... When I turn the side lights on, all OK - but when I move it to dipped, a relay buzzes like crazy - sounds like a demented alarm clock. When I switch to full beam, the buzzing stops. Also, when I press the hazards (without a key in the ignition) again, same thing - a relay buzzes loudly and the indicators flash extremely quickly. The same buzzing sound can be heard when the lights are on, but the fog light is sticking out (so "on" I assume).
I have done a search on here, but couldn't find anything similar - all fuses are OK, should I be checking the ground connections somewhere, and anywhere in particular?
Many thanks in advance
A new and very proud 96 Mk2 Chim 450 owner here (Starmist Green with biscuit interior).
I did something a little bit crazy at the end of last year - I bought this car blind on eBay. I know all the stories out there - "test drive at least a million examples before you settle on the right one, it's Martian technology that can only be repaired by a select few" ect.
I'm fairly handy with the spanners having had loads of old cars on the past (I still have a Rev3 MR2 Turbo that's been in in storage for the past 12 years). About 15 years ago, a neighbour took me for a spin in his 92 pre-cat Griff and the listening to the revs rise from a burble, then into a snarl, then into a banshee like V8 wail that could be heard for literally miles around made me swore to myself there and then that one day, one of these cars would be mine - and luckily so it has turned out.
The car had a full MOT when I bought it and when I checked online, very few advisories over the years, and none at all for rust (car has 37k which checks out with the MOT history online). Outriggers are solid, if a little crispy here and there.
Anyway, as per the title (and as expected really) the electrics aren't perfect.... When I turn the side lights on, all OK - but when I move it to dipped, a relay buzzes like crazy - sounds like a demented alarm clock. When I switch to full beam, the buzzing stops. Also, when I press the hazards (without a key in the ignition) again, same thing - a relay buzzes loudly and the indicators flash extremely quickly. The same buzzing sound can be heard when the lights are on, but the fog light is sticking out (so "on" I assume).
I have done a search on here, but couldn't find anything similar - all fuses are OK, should I be checking the ground connections somewhere, and anywhere in particular?
Many thanks in advance
I would start by checking the grounds on the transmission tunnel area, nearside I think for most of your issues but also worth checking the other side too.
A bit of a pita to get to but a quick Google search should bring up some photos and more info about these areas which are common problems.
A bit of a pita to get to but a quick Google search should bring up some photos and more info about these areas which are common problems.
Might as well start there!
Not sure why fibre glass cars are special for gremlins, except that the earth connections are largely aimed at the chassis, which gives it a long route back to the battery negative, via a few connections.
Earthing is sometimes the source of all electrical comedy on our cars, so if relays aren’t the answer, definitely have a look at the earth connections to chassis, then the final one to battery through the transmission tunnel.
Sometimes a good scrub and scrape refreshes a lot!
Not sure why fibre glass cars are special for gremlins, except that the earth connections are largely aimed at the chassis, which gives it a long route back to the battery negative, via a few connections.
Earthing is sometimes the source of all electrical comedy on our cars, so if relays aren’t the answer, definitely have a look at the earth connections to chassis, then the final one to battery through the transmission tunnel.
Sometimes a good scrub and scrape refreshes a lot!
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