Anyone recognise the symptoms?

[Brian March]

Evening all,

While driving home tonight, the lights decided to switch themselves off and wouldn't switch back on... the gauge lamps failed, as did the brake lights, side lights and indicators... what a crappy birthday present from the Cerb.

I did however, still have the reversing lights (lucky me) and the full beam lights. The engine carried on, nice and strong so I'm guessing its not the big fuse (although I'll prob change it anyway, just for good measure). I'm hoping its a fuse but suspect its the lighting relay box

When locking the car, the indicators flashed as normal, so I'm guessing its not the individual fuses (but I'll change them for good measure as well). Does anyone recognise the symptoms?

[VPower]

Hi Brian
When locking the car the indicators are fed via the alarm unit and bypass the normal circuits.

Could just be a fuse problem. Sometime one fuse going can give a surge to the next one near to it and take another out.

But as your indicators have also stopped, check behind the dash and look for the ribbon cable to see if it had dropped off.


good luck

Steve

[Allandwf]

Hmmmmm... Mine once switched the lights off when the indicators were used ! was a one off up to now. Sorry not much help.

[FUBAR]

Brian, Im with Steve on the fuses. I once stupidly bought one of the cheap TVR branded cigarette lighters off Fleabay that when inserting, not only took out the relevant fuse but another 6 fuses with it resulting in loss of most of the lights and other electrics.

Get your nose into the fusebox as your first port of call

[Brian March]

Just a quick update, it was fuse no.4 - Sidelights, fog lamps and hazards that had popped. Luckily I've got a copy of the handbook and so could narrrow down the search easily... for all those that havent got the list, I've copied it out

Fuse No. Description Size
1 Engine Fan (Relay 1) 25A
2 Main Beam 20A
3 Engine Fan (Relay 1) & horn 25A
4 Sidelights, fog lamps & hazards 15A
5 Heated Rear Window 25A
6 Door control unit & Immobiliser 15A
7 Boot lock, pass door lock, radio 15A
8 Injectors, alarm/immobiliser 10A
9 Engine Management 10A
10 Right Hand window 20A
11 Left hand window 20A
12 Speedo, lights, dim dip, dash, ECU 10A
13 Starter, drivers door lock 20A
14 Heater Control 10A
15 Indicators, Reverse, Brake 20A
16 Wipers & Mirrors 25A
17 Ignition Coils 25A
18 Heater Fans 25A
19 Fuel Pump & Lambda heaters 15A
20 Master Ignition 15A
21 Dip Beam 20A

Hope that helps...

[VPower]

Good to hear you have cured the problem Brian!

Just to add to our combines knowledge
The Electrician lads at work say to keep spare fuses in the car as fuses AGE!
I never knew that!

They are the weak link in the circuit and take the most fatigue loading, so it sort of makes sense to me.

That means fuses can blow and there could be no problem with the wiring at all.
If new fuses keep blowing then there is a problem and NEVER be tempted to fit a higher rating!


Steve