Electrical problem

[incorrigible]

Problem:
Driving down the road lights on when all of a sudden lights flicker and go off (mains and dipped but sidelights stay on) and wipers come on !!

Now I would normally guess that lights going out means a problem with the lighting circuit and anything where power is being routed the wrong way (ie into the wipers) was dodgy earth, but in this case the side lights still worked OK (and the earth is shared and only attached (with a bit of grease for good measure) last month)

Has this happenned to anyone else ??

Also if anyone knows where the mirror relay is on a 99 chim, could they let me know (not in the door)

ta

Ben

[pbrettle]

Check the fuse box and the relays. In general any problems in this area shouldnt give the results that you describe. But I have had problems with lights and wipers before that were resolved by double checking the fuses and the relays - reseating them fixed the problems fortunately, but it is the box that everything comes too....

The earth is also a problem - but check the earth strap. It should be in that little tray on the transmission tunnel behind your elbow. Check this is OK (volt meter) and then check some of the other circuits....

Cheers,

Paul

[incorrigible]

quote:
Check the fuse box and the relays. In general any problems in this area shouldnt give the results that you describe. But I have had problems with lights and wipers before that were resolved by double checking the fuses and the relays - reseating them fixed the problems fortunately, but it is the box that everything comes too....

The earth is also a problem - but check the earth strap. It should be in that little tray on the transmission tunnel behind your elbow. Check this is OK (volt meter) and then check some of the other circuits....

Cheers,

Paul

Thanks I guessed that was going to be the case, I was hoping for "Ah the old light / wiper problem, you just need to (insert far simpler method here) and you'll be fine mate" sort of answer

Know where the mirror relay is ??

[pbrettle]

If Steve is around then he can tell you definately where the Mirror relay is - but having had the door to bits at the weekend (and no the electric mirrors arent working correctly as I wired them back the wrong way!), I do know there is a relay in the drivers door. This should be the location for it as the control circuit is there (as well as the switch etc).

Take a look there - but do consult your TVR manual, they changed the location of everything depending on the day of the week and the price of spuds...

Cheers,

Paul

[shpub]

quote:Problem:
Driving down the road lights on when all of a sudden lights flicker and go off (mains and dipped but sidelights stay on) and wipers come on !!

Now I would normally guess that lights going out means a problem with the lighting circuit and anything where power is being routed the wrong way (ie into the wipers) was dodgy earth, but in this case the side lights still worked OK (and the earth is shared and only attached (with a bit of grease for good measure) last month)

Has this happenned to anyone else ??

Also if anyone knows where the mirror relay is on a 99 chim, could they let me know (not in the door)

ta

Ben

Arhhhh the old wipers come on with the headlamps dimming ploy. Very simple to cure except you can't get access to the boilt. These are earthed through the front passenger side chassis bolt which is under the rad and accessible from the front of the car by removing the rad stone/guard/grill and looking down underneath.

I chickened out and seperately earthed the headlamp and indicator bulbs onto the chassis.

As for the relay... should be in the fuse box for a 99 but could equally be behind the dash. There is also a control box that sits behind the dash or in the door (door ones get wet so they were moved.)

Steve

[incorrigible]

Cheers Steve, a couple of good places to start, especially as I had ruled out that particular earth (only bolted it back up last month) obviously more copperslip required !