Boot dramas

[V8_GWA]

Hello all,

I have just found that my boot release actuator has stopped working again. I replaced it at Christmas time with a new one from Maplin and everything was fine until this week.

I noticed on wednesday that my dash instruments had stopped working, but all was well when I replaced the fuse. I did notice that the fuse was the wrong rating - too low. All was well on the dashboard again.

I subsequently noticed that the boot release wasn't working, but I don't know if the two could be connected. I have tested the connections with a multimeter and get a voltage change of 12V when the button is pressed, so I'm assuming that all is well up until that point.

Before I order another 2 wire actuator from those nice people at Maplin, has anyone had similar issues? Is it likely that the actuator has failed, or that a symptom of another fault elsewhere in the system. The Bible has little to say on the boot, so I'd be really grateful for your collected wisdom on this one!

Cheers,

Pete

[repcom]

Pete

Bit of a long shot but it may be that although voltage is registered on the multimeter there may not be enough current getting to the solenoid to fire it, trace the wiring and see if there are any corroded connectors in line anywhere.

R.

[V8_GWA]

R,

thanks for that - the multimeter will be back out after work.

Might just be a dodgy actuator, but its never that simple usually!

Cheers,

[Uncle Fester]

I used to have problems with burning out solenoids; I replaced two within the first couple of months of ownership and noticed the bills for more solenoids in the history file.

The problem turned out to be someone had fitted the button in the dash slightly out of line with its hole. This could happen with any dash.

In my case, this had happened when a previous owner had fitted a Leven stainless dash.
The button was sticking in the hole and trapping the button. This left the circuit live for long enough to burn out the solenoid.

Since the switch was properly aligned there have been no more problems.

When I spoke to Leven it was a known problem and they advised me of the best way to modify it. This is a fault produced by poor installation work rather than a poor dash. It’s just that the Leven dash conversion is intolerant of poor workmanship by the installer.
Perhaps a relay that prevented the solenoid being permanently powered by just pulsing the solenoid whenever the button was pressed would prevent it.

I didn’t have a problem with a fuse blowing and the instruments not working. However, if the solenoid stuck then it may have blown the fuse. I don’t know if that could take out the instruments as well.

Are they on the same fuse or circuit?

Fester

[richtvr]

i had the same problem and it aswell was the button getting stuck in the dash

rich

[V8_GWA]

The button stuck behind the veneer issue was the one I had a Christmas time, and led to the first actuator getting replaced. I managed to push the button through the dash at the same time - managed to fix it at home, but it was a little scary undoing the bolts to drop the steering column to get the dashboard out!

From what I can tell from the wiring diagram and owners handbook the boot release doesn't seem to be protected by a fuse at all.

As I say, it may just be a bad batch of actuators and it become unservicable after only a few months, but I still wonder if there is more to it...

Thanks for the suggestions

Pete