Advice/help please - Radio and Fog light

[TDTH1975]

One passes the MOT test and the other passes the girlfriend test but it seems niether can be satisfied at the same time. When I bought my Chim, the radio worked perfectly on all channels and as clear as a whistle. I was naturally surprised as I had perviously been told radios and TVR's are not necesserily the most compatible creatures. Anyway - MOT was due and the fog light didn't work so some wiring was corrected - behind the stereo somehwere I believe and the end result being that the radio now doesn't work at all but the fog light does. Being completely un-technical - does anyone have any ideas how this might have happened - if it is correctable and how I can make both work at the same time ?

Thanks.

[sotonS2]

TDTH1975 said:

One passes the MOT test and the other passes the girlfriend test but it seems niether can be satisfied at the same time. When I bought my Chim, the radio worked perfectly on all channels and as clear as a whistle. I was naturally surprised as I had perviously been told radios and TVR's are not necesserily the most compatible creatures. Anyway - MOT was due and the fog light didn't work so some wiring was corrected - behind the stereo somehwere I believe and the end result being that the radio now doesn't work at all but the fog light does. Being completely un-technical - does anyone have any ideas how this might have happened - if it is correctable and how I can make both work at the same time ? Thanks.

Unlikely to be anything serious - the chances of the radio blowing up at the same time as the fog light started to work are next to zero.

Your radio will most likely have two 12v feeds - one switched and one permanent (to preserve settings, channels etc). It is unlikely that these have both become 'disconnected' at the same time. If there is no power at the radio, suggest checking the following in this order:

1) Check fuse in fusebox - fiddling with the cables behind the dash may have caused a momentary short and popped it.

2) Pop radio out and check that connector block has not been pulled out. At this time, check any other terminal blocks, bullet connectors or Scotch blocks which may have been fitted to 'mate' the radio to the Tiv's wiring harness.

3) Check radio's own fuse (if fitted).

4) Buy or borrow a cheap and cheerful voltmeter. Set to DC, 20v or 200v range and measure between earth (black) and permanent (should be red or yellow - or anything else knowing TVR). You should measure ~13v.

5) Turn ignition on and check between earth and switched 12v (again, red or yellow).

6) If the fuse is OK but you do not measure 12v-13v at the radio, then the problem is likely to be in a connector block between the fuse box and radio - sorry to state the obvious - and a bit more behind dash fiddling may be required.

7) If all else fails, ask the guy who repaired the fog light what the bl99dy hell he did !!

Good luck.

[TDTH1975]

Many thanks for that. The whole stereo system works including the radio, it is just there is no reception at all (just fuzzing). It is almost as if the arial connection was replaced by the fog light connection to make the fog light work...

[sotonS2]

TDTH1975 said:

Many thanks for that. The whole stereo system works including the radio, it is just there is no reception at all (just fuzzing). It is almost as if the arial connection was replaced by the fog light connection to make the fog light work...

Not a power problem then ?! Note that the aerial is a non-powered device and doesn't require a 12v feed. Unless of course you have an electric one ?? In this case, the 12v feed is only required to extend and retract the aerial. The aerial is UP, isn't it !

I take it the CD or tape player output is OK ? If so, then this is either a connection problem (likely) or the tuner module in the radio has blown (unlikely).

May be worth pulling the radio out and checking the aerial is still plugged in. Check also any earth straps at the aerial end - it may be that this has become disconnected. Afraid I don't know Chims at all so don't even know where the aerial is (sorry).

If this fails, back to Plan B and ask your MOTer what he did to repair the faulty fog light.



edited 'cos I was doing three things at once and not concentrating on what I was typing.

>> Edited by sotonS2 on Monday 19th July 14:19