Can any bright spark....

[LeedsMatt]

shed some light on an electrical problem?

Driving one eveining last week in torrential rain I drove through a puddle which turned out to be a small lake. The near side was soaked with water and after the steam had disappeared the only problem seemed to be the headlights + tail lights have stopped working. They flash and work when the passenger window is being raised ( and they are switched on). The fuses are all intact too.

Co-incidently the car is booked in to have the alarm looked at after the sounder stopped working with the local Clifford autoelectrician. I had a chat with the guy who told me that he would only fix it if it was something obvious!

If anyone can give me a pearl of wisdom with which to give him a genlte prod in the right direction it would be appreciated. Ta!

[Ballistic Banana]

Is teh alarm sounder in the engine bay, if so it probabaly got caked in water, Its a common problem that these get water in them just normally, most have either tilted the siren so water cant get in or covered it.
They can be uplugged, unscrewed and dried out.. but this could waver any warrenty on it so bear that in mind.


BB

[LeedsMatt]

Unfortunately the alarm sounder is behind the grill. This also stopped working before the puddle incident. I've resigned myself that I will have to pay for that anyway.

Just put it back in the garage and noticed that the only other electrical bit not working is the interior clock.

[tvradict]

To me it sounds like you've just soaked the electrics and with the battery and fuses being in the passenger footwell that wouldn't be hard.

Your problem with the headlight and taillight could be as simple as the earth, the clock could be down to the fuse box and associated garbage getting wet.

Stick a fan heater in the passenger footwell over night, pull the flap down from in front of the battery and try to direct the heat at that area, not too close or too hot cos you may do some damage. Also have a look for the earths and give them a good spray of WD40. Haven't a clue where they are on a Chim but the bible will probably tell you

>> Edited by tvradict on Sunday 9th January 13:31

[LeedsMatt]

She's Back

Apparently a coincidental water soaking. The electrics guys traced the fault to a knackered passenger electric window switch! This shorted whenever going over a bump!

I think electrics will always be a mystery to me.

[Martin_S]

Don't worry, you're not alone. They're a mystery to most of the people working at a certain car factory in Blackpool, as well!