Lights out??

[glanrichbex]

A few months ago my Terrano dashboard illumination failed and I tracked this down to a 10A fuse in the master fuse box under the bonnet. I replaced the fuse and everything was fine for a week then it failed again. Despite an hour of fault finding I was unable to find a short and so put another 10Amp fuse in and all was well for a few days, The fault was quite random and a few frustrating weeks of fault finding and buying 10amp fuses by the sack full .... it was driving me crazy!!!

A few weeks ago I was driving at night and suddenly the dash board lights went out again!!! Arrrgghhhh!!!! so I carried on to my destination when I was awakened by flashing blue lights of a police car behind me. I pulled over to kindly let the police car past when I became aware that it was me he was pulling over:wasntmeHe asked me if I realised I was driving without lights - I looked confused at him, got out and looked round the back of my Terrano and presto!!! - no lights at all :doh

The next day I went through the wiring diagram with a tooth comb and realised the fault occurs only when the vehicle is in motion. I rigged up 12volt bulb in series with the fuse holder and discovered the short happened when I got into the vehicle as well!!
The fault also happened when I rocked about inside the vehicle which made me realise this was an intermittent short somewhere in the lighting circuit. I eventually decided to take the back lights out to examine the lamp holders and hey presto!!! found it!!!

The wires on the end of the loom that go to the back clusters rub on the chassis and eventually the insulation wears through! any vibrations / movement and spark spark!!! POP!

Problem cured !!! anyone want to buy some fuses?:lol

 

[solarman216]

Interesting, this happened to my wife's Mk 2 T2 a while ago, did it twice but not happened since, must have a look at these wires, Rick

 

[edgerton19]

Any chance of a photo or two showing the problem area. Intermittent faults are a sod to find, well done.

 

[glanrichbex]

Any chance of a photo or two showing the problem area. Intermittent faults are a sod to find, well done.

I will try to take a photo tomorrow - if you unscrew the units, you will see the damage to the wires straight away. Maybe worth undoing them anyway and wrapping the wires up in plastic to prevent the fault in the future.

 

[zippy656]

well done that man..

pics and a few words may be worth a bit in the download section..


its like a hall of fame!

 

[clivvy]

good find chap, I bet that'll come in handy for another member at some point!