Odd electrical problem
Discussion
On the way to work - lost the indicators, then the hazards, the battery voltmeter but not the other gauges, and the charge light came on, but
- it continued running
- it got me to work
- seems plenty of juice in the battery - still cranks over
- most other electrics seems fine including headlamps.
This is an odd one - I'm hoping it's just a fuse. Maybe caused by a shorted indicator bulb or summat - will investigate later.
- it continued running
- it got me to work
- seems plenty of juice in the battery - still cranks over
- most other electrics seems fine including headlamps.
This is an odd one - I'm hoping it's just a fuse. Maybe caused by a shorted indicator bulb or summat - will investigate later.
No the last job was to do the diff oil. ;^)
I found a nice clear wiring diagram here:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5305/5629935191_950e...
and from this I predict that Fuse 13 is blown, and the other instruments are reading something, but low, because they are getting residual feed through the IGN bulb.
Let's take a look...
I found a nice clear wiring diagram here:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5305/5629935191_950e...
and from this I predict that Fuse 13 is blown, and the other instruments are reading something, but low, because they are getting residual feed through the IGN bulb.
Let's take a look...
After a overnight and before starting check battery voltage ... 12.6v should be the number. Then start up and 13.7/8v should be the number.
Other test I do is to connect a amp meter between battery neg and main ground connector with ignition off. If you have current drain then something is leaking to earth or running!
This sounds like a alternator diode pack issue or a relay going south to me.
Chris
Other test I do is to connect a amp meter between battery neg and main ground connector with ignition off. If you have current drain then something is leaking to earth or running!
This sounds like a alternator diode pack issue or a relay going south to me.
Chris
adam quantrill said:
No the last job was to do the diff oil. ;^)
I found a nice clear wiring diagram here:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5305/5629935191_950e...
and from this I predict that Fuse 13 is blown, and the other instruments are reading something, but low, because they are getting residual feed through the IGN bulb.
Let's take a look...
That diagram has been fixed a bit as this:I found a nice clear wiring diagram here:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5305/5629935191_950e...
and from this I predict that Fuse 13 is blown, and the other instruments are reading something, but low, because they are getting residual feed through the IGN bulb.
Let's take a look...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/post.asp?h=0&am...
Matches quite well, but not completely, my late 89 350i.
Cheers yeah it was F13, when that pops the IGN bulb conducts the wrong way and starts to supply the meters. So they were on bur showing low readings.
New fuse in and the left-hand indicator bank is showing the problem but right-hand works fine. So there's probably a duff bulb in there with a short.
I've had shorts in bulbs before too - one took out (melted) the harness for the tail lights on the nearside a long time ago.
The root cause appears to be the front indicator bulb, note the middle bump appears to be worn down. Probably causing a short when inside the cluster:
Changed over after feeling round corners to get at the back of the cluster fitting - back together and all flashing properly.
I didn't "spot the difference" on the wiring diagrams - both look OK. Better than the other one which appears to be a dodgy unreadable fax... and a guy called "Mike" starts a chat session trying to give you advice...
New fuse in and the left-hand indicator bank is showing the problem but right-hand works fine. So there's probably a duff bulb in there with a short.
I've had shorts in bulbs before too - one took out (melted) the harness for the tail lights on the nearside a long time ago.
The root cause appears to be the front indicator bulb, note the middle bump appears to be worn down. Probably causing a short when inside the cluster:
Changed over after feeling round corners to get at the back of the cluster fitting - back together and all flashing properly.
I didn't "spot the difference" on the wiring diagrams - both look OK. Better than the other one which appears to be a dodgy unreadable fax... and a guy called "Mike" starts a chat session trying to give you advice...
Edited by adam quantrill on Tuesday 12th April 10:05
Hi all,
Me too.....
Fuse 62 I think, according to the bible it's supposed to be a 10amp
It's the fuse for the drivers side side lights the dash illumination and the right number plate light.
For some random reason it blew I located the fuse and it was fitted with a 25amp.
All I had was a 20amp it blew, its never been a problem and I've never had to look at it so it's been 25amp since I've had it.
Anyone else got a higher rated fuse in there?
Any ideas what could be causing it?
Not too good with electrics..... Help!
:-)
Ta
Adam
Me too.....
Fuse 62 I think, according to the bible it's supposed to be a 10amp
It's the fuse for the drivers side side lights the dash illumination and the right number plate light.
For some random reason it blew I located the fuse and it was fitted with a 25amp.
All I had was a 20amp it blew, its never been a problem and I've never had to look at it so it's been 25amp since I've had it.
Anyone else got a higher rated fuse in there?
Any ideas what could be causing it?
Not too good with electrics..... Help!
:-)
Ta
Adam
Oz2 said:
Hi all,
Me too.....
Fuse 62 I think, according to the bible it's supposed to be a 10amp
It's the fuse for the drivers side side lights the dash illumination and the right number plate light.
For some random reason it blew I located the fuse and it was fitted with a 25amp.
All I had was a 20amp it blew, its never been a problem and I've never had to look at it so it's been 25amp since I've had it.
Anyone else got a higher rated fuse in there?
Any ideas what could be causing it?
Not too good with electrics..... Help!
:-)
Ta
Adam
My initial reaction would be to check all the bulbs in the circuit. Change them if they look dodgy, or change them all anyway to eliminate faulty bulbs. From then, it could be faulty wiring, a short circuit, faulty relay etc. Trial and error and some testing is required.Me too.....
Fuse 62 I think, according to the bible it's supposed to be a 10amp
It's the fuse for the drivers side side lights the dash illumination and the right number plate light.
For some random reason it blew I located the fuse and it was fitted with a 25amp.
All I had was a 20amp it blew, its never been a problem and I've never had to look at it so it's been 25amp since I've had it.
Anyone else got a higher rated fuse in there?
Any ideas what could be causing it?
Not too good with electrics..... Help!
:-)
Ta
Adam
Tony. TCB.
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