Electrical Fault

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ThatGuy
Posts: 480
Joined: Wed Feb 08, 2012 2:41 am
Car(s): 1986 2.0 laser
Location: Surrey

Electrical Fault

Post by ThatGuy »

So since ive been working on my car to get it back on the road, the electrics have been slowly deteriorating. Once i got here running i had a quick check on what actually worked in it, and to my surprise everything was working. But as time went on things slowly stopped working, as in the wipers, the washers, the rev count and all of the lights on the dash. The strange thing is that after a couple of minutes of being idle it rev count starts working but if i press the brake, i lose the rev count and the (i think) handbrake light comes on.

So my main question is whats the best way to find out where the electrics are shorting? and has any one had the same sort of problem.
Sorry for the life story jusy thought id give a little back story :p
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gilley576
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Car(s): 1984 Ford Capri 2.8i Special
2002 Focus ST170
1998 Ford Escort LX
Location: Chippenham

Re: Electrical Fault

Post by gilley576 »

I'd say check the fuses first (easiest thing), make sure all the fuses are getting the electric, I've had it a few times where the fuses aren't making a good enough contact to the terminals, a little wiggle, with a slight push from side to side usually helps.

Then get the dash off and check the primitive circuit board type thing behind it, just make sure its not broken or damaged. I had a problem with mine in that a dash illumination bulb cover had come away and was bouncing around causing all sorts of problems.

Hope this helps.
Far too many people have forgotten the joy of just going out to drive!
buzz
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Feb 17, 2013 7:36 pm

Re: Electrical Fault

Post by buzz »

Hi,

I had a similar problem, when driving my alternator light was dim, indicators didn’t work and when you put your foot on the brake the rev counter dropped to zero and the alternator light went bright. Turn out to be one of the rear light clusters had a short. The mounting screws had been tightened too much and the metal bar along the back of the light was shorting on the car body.

First disconnect the wire at the top of the brake pedal (this will disconnect the brake lights) and see if that fixes the problems, if it does reconnect it and disconnect both the rear brake lights at the light clusters and try it, if all is working ok try reconnecting one side at a time and checking to see if it working ok.
ThatGuy
Posts: 480
Joined: Wed Feb 08, 2012 2:41 am
Car(s): 1986 2.0 laser
Location: Surrey

Re: Electrical Fault

Post by ThatGuy »

cheers for the reply guys ill give them a go :)
i do remember checking the fuses a while ago and theres one that doesnt have a fuse in but when i replaced it it blew straight away with both and 8 and a 16 fuse i think, so im not sure if thats anything else to go on?
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Bug
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Car(s): Some

Re: Electrical Fault

Post by Bug »

Yup! I thought rear light cluster too!
ThatGuy
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Joined: Wed Feb 08, 2012 2:41 am
Car(s): 1986 2.0 laser
Location: Surrey

Re: Electrical Fault

Post by ThatGuy »

Right so I replaced all the fuses and for some strange reason there are 2 terminals that arnt actually connected to anything, but without fuses in them the blinkers, wipers, rev count and lights don't work without them. Bit of an odd one I know but I guess im just going to have to live with it :p
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Bug
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Re: Electrical Fault

Post by Bug »

ThatGuy wrote:Right so I replaced all the fuses and for some strange reason there are 2 terminals that arnt actually connected to anything, but without fuses in them the blinkers, wipers, rev count and lights don't work without them. Bit of an odd one I know but I guess im just going to have to live with it :p
Nope, that is correct! The fusebox has connections underneath that feed everything inside the car. The spades you refer to are spares for running auxiliary srtuff off if you fit any extra kit such as spots or electric fans. If I recall correctly, one is permanent live and one is ignition live, but I could be wrong on that?
ThatGuy
Posts: 480
Joined: Wed Feb 08, 2012 2:41 am
Car(s): 1986 2.0 laser
Location: Surrey

Re: Electrical Fault

Post by ThatGuy »

Ahhhhhh now I see, its all starting to make sense now :D thanks everyone for the input it was greatly appreciated :)
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fordcapri1982
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Dec 14, 2009 10:38 pm
Car(s): Ford Capri 1.6s

Re: Electrical Fault

Post by fordcapri1982 »

Hi, I´ve got almost the same fault on my car :( , where can I found a complet graphic electric circuit of a 2.0 s Capri ´83 ? :crying:



thank you . ;)
ThatGuy
Posts: 480
Joined: Wed Feb 08, 2012 2:41 am
Car(s): 1986 2.0 laser
Location: Surrey

Re: Electrical Fault

Post by ThatGuy »

Fordcapri1982 try the haynes manual or another similar Capri book they usually have the wiring diagrams in the back. I recently found out that my problem was caused by the metal connector on the tailgate for the rear wiper was my problem, someone had just used a screw for mine so I swapped it for the proper connector and now everything works fine. So I'd suggest checking all of that sort of stuff to save docking about with the electricals first
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fordcapri1982
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Car(s): Ford Capri 1.6s

Re: Electrical Fault

Post by fordcapri1982 »

Thank you ThatGuy i´ll try it. :lowrider:
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Clockwork Orange
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undergoing major surgery at this time, will be back hopefully soon, better than ever

Re: Electrical Fault

Post by Clockwork Orange »

fordcapri1982 wrote:Hi, I´ve got almost the same fault on my car :( , where can I found a complet graphic electric circuit of a 2.0 s Capri ´83 ? :crying:
thank you . ;)
nearly complete, i have managed to strip and draw out each fuse circuit for the 'Laser / 2.8i aged looms ...
forget Haynes, I had an argument with them in the 80s regarding their mk2 early drawings, not being amended to '78series on 3 stalk layout ...
you can eMail me via the CPower forum, my existing drawings are listed in our techy archive, log in and say helloooooo !
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Clockwork Orange
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Car(s): MK2 '78series V8 Laser ..
undergoing major surgery at this time, will be back hopefully soon, better than ever

Re: Electrical Fault

Post by Clockwork Orange »

ThatGuy wrote:cheers for the reply guys ill give them a go :)
i do remember checking the fuses a while ago and theres one that doesnt have a fuse in but when i replaced it it blew straight away with both and 8 and a 16 fuse i think, so im not sure if thats anything else to go on?
which one?
find that circuit, find that fault - you just answered your own question
Ford fitted 7 fuses in the 7-fuse fusebox because they all do a job ...
number 1 fuse closest to the windscreen, number 7 fuse closest to the headlights
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