dead as dodo!

[CER927]

My brothers precat griffith has lost all electrics ie ignition/windows/clock the whole lot! Is there a 'big fuse' on a griff as there is on my cerbera? All the wiring appears to be in order, he drove the car to work, switched the motor off and the power seems to have been totally disconnected from this time. Any pointers in the right direction will be much appreciated!

[V8 GRF]

Sounds like the famous 100amp fuse. Underneath and near the starter motor, often clamped to the chassis rail. Some cars have been known to have one in the spagehetti in the passenger footwelll also.

HTH

[Ant.]

No 100amp fuse on a Precat.

Power to the car comes via four large brown wires on the mains connection on the starter, two of these go to the fuse box and two go up to the alternator.

As a guess , maybe the starter connection is the problem?

Also check main negative connection from battery to N/S chassis connection under the centre console.


Has the car stood for a while?

Edited by Ant. on Monday 6th July 22:24

[Loubaruch]

It could be the ignition switch or more likely the ignition switch connector. It the connector is anything like the S3 one they burn out regularly.

Check to see if you still have the Horn and lights if so ignition circuit quite likely. If no lights/horn then as suggested above look at the main positive and earth connections.

[FlipFlopGriff]

Mine died on me too (driving along and suddenly dies with no electrics at all) but it's being looked at today so may have an answer.
Did connect the earth this morning and the alarm fired into life but by the time I got to the key to diable it it had dies again. Pushing it out the garage (nearly killed me) and it came to life again but the key was in teh ignition and the door was between the door hinges so I couldn't get to it. Anyway, push a bit futher and then drove into the car port, where I disconnected the earth lead again. Mine may have a 100a fuse but I doubt itm - not seen it when rummaging around.
Ant, is there one by the fuseboard - I know there is on the 500 as well as the one by the starter motor?
FFG

[V8 GRF]

Ant. said:

No 100amp fuse on a Precat.

Oh... you learn something everyday

[cinquecento]

the 100 amp fuse is between the battery and the alternator.. and it was my understanding it limits the current if the alternator shorts. If the 100 amp fuse blows, your battery won't charge.

If your car is dead and assuming the battery is fully charged, it can't be the 100 amp fuse.

[CER927]

Thanks guys, it was the large red wire at the point where it joins the starter motor. The wire looked good on a visual inspection, but came away in your hand when gently pulled. I hope your motor is also an easy fix flipflopgriff!

[Ant.]

FlipFlopGriff said:

Ant, is there one by the fuseboard - I know there is on the 500 as well as the one by the starter motor?
FFG

FFG, pretty certain there are no 100amp fuses anywhere on the fantastic Precats.

[FlipFlopGriff]

Ant. said:

FlipFlopGriff said:

Ant, is there one by the fuseboard - I know there is on the 500 as well as the one by the starter motor?
FFG

FFG, pretty certain there are no 100amp fuses anywhere on the fantastic Precats.

Mine may be different with it's hybrid wiring. The ignition relay (I think it;s called that) which is the one with 4 pins 2 of which are wider and longer than normal relays was getting hot, so replaced and seems OK. Dash lights are much brighter but it's going in for a better look tomorrow (assuming I can get there).
FFG