S1 FHC Electrical

[MADNESS]

My FHC 280i has quite a lot of electrical issues, I have to check the main earthing points still but in the meantime for example, none of the clocks etc work in the car, do these all have one common earth point?

[mrzigazaga]

Hi mate


Not 100% on the FHC but a good starting point would be to clean the main earths..My 280i had some on the N/S suspension turret and some on the frame of the radiator..Also check the battery earth.

Hopefully someone with a bit more knowledge on the FHC can help...


Cheers


Ziga

[v8s4me]

MADNESS said:

My FHC 280i has quite a lot of electrical issues......

Only " quite a lot"?.....



Try and find and loosen the screws which secure the dash so you can slide it forwards a bit to enable you to have a good look behind. I think there is a common earth and checking all your earth points is a good start.

Once you've done that, the only real way to do this job is to methodically work through the wiring by separating out all the switches, following the wiring back as far as you can and get each component working before moving on to the next one. Also check your live feeds. I found one live crushed between the steering column and the support bracket making the whole column live and confusing the hell out of many of the circuits. Strangely no fuses were blown!

Just take your time and be patient, and if you haven't already got one, get a decent AVO meter.

[Wedg1e]

If I remember rightly, the instruments were earthed via the bonnet release cable, the bonnet latch and an earth strap down to either the engine or chassis.
In other words, a bodge

[marcus1875]

Have a look in the passenger side. Mine has has a big earth near the wiper motor. Could have been knocked?
Marcus

[v8s4me]

Another thought that might make things easier for you. If you are going to be doing a lot of work behind/under the dash, take the seats out. That way you'll be able to lie on you back and work less uncomfortably than trying to work around and between the seats and steering wheel.