Hi All

 

I have a Mk1 VRS 1.8t  on a 53 plate.  Back in October last the car developed an electrical fault, basically it lost, wipers, indicators, internal blower and main beam (there may be a few other things too) but strangely the hazards still work fine.  At the time I checked the obvious such as battery and fuses but found nothing wrong.  The car was due for it's MOT a short time after so I decided to put it on SORN until the spring.

 

I have searched the forum and read as many posts as possible and it seemed that the problem was most likely a Rely in position 3 ( x contact).  I have replaced this but still not luck, I have also had the car read on albeit a cheap diagnostic reader (Streetwize was the brand) but this showed no faults?

 

I really don't no where to turn to now so asking if any members have any ideas of where to go from here?

 

Fingers crossed!!!

Edited 25 February, 20197 yr by AndyJG

Start pulling ancillary system fuses?

Have you checked the fuseboard on top of the battery? 

Start with the rear washer wiper.. it sounds nuts, but that being fried and shorting out can cause all sorts of problems.

Then look at all your earth connections

Then turn attention to your steering wheel stalks...

+1 for the battery fusebox starting to melt - check by the black cable in the box for signs of heat damage.

Thanks for advice gents.

 

I have been out this morning and found that yes the wire and fuse box had indeed melted but it has had a repair on it. Basically the large black wire has bypassed the fuse box and been connected straight to the positive battery terminal. I think this had been done by the local mechanic a year or so ago when my partner was having trouble starting it up, I'm annoyed I never noticed this before....  The end of the wire looks terrible so I am thinking a new fuse box and a new wire??

 

I have also had a look at the rear wiper, I couldn't see anything obvious and the 15 amp fuse in position 27 seems fine. 

 

I have managed to get hold of an Auto Electrician who is coming on Friday to have a look.

 

Fingers crossed!

 

 

Id say the fusebox will be the source of you woes..

Ditto.

Yep, I've just found a great post from a while back by Bowders1, it perfectly describes my problems, so eBay it is for a new Fusebox and Wire... 

 

Still fingers crossed!

If you go to Ebay for the cable, get really good pictures of the cable connectors at both ends before commiting to buy unless the item is new. The whole reason these cables fail, is that the cable ends become slightly loose, then corrosion seeps in and causes high resistance and heat in the cable which eventually concludes where you are at the moment.

 

This can occur at either the fusebox or the alternator end, but the final result is the same. The fuse box is fine to source used - just be careful it hasn't started to melt already and you should be fine.

 

Hope it helps.

Edited 27 February, 20197 yr by kentphil1

On 27/02/2019 at 02:41, kentphil1 said:

If you go to Ebay for the cable, get really good pictures of the cable connectors at both ends before commiting to buy unless the item is new. The whole reason these cables fail, is that the cable ends become slightly loose, then corrosion seeps in and causes high resistance and heat in the cable which eventually concludes where you are at the moment.

 

This can occur at either the fusebox or the alternator end, but the final result is the same. The fuse box is fine to source used - just be careful it hasn't started to melt already and you should be fine.

 

Hope it helps.

 

Thanks for the above, I will make sure to be careful when ordering.