Bloomin electrics - Sorted

Post by **Louey** » 11 Dec 2007, 19:43

My fuel cut off solenoid is wired up to a switch - the van was converted from a petrol engine to diesel some time before I bought it.

Anyway since last Monday, it has been blowing fuses (for some daft reason there are 3 inline fuses). I've tried to trace the wiring and I can't see any visible problems. The fuses seem to blow at random times, but usually just when I've come to a halt or about to pull off. I tried to find an earthing but I can't see one - all I can see is:

a switch - which has two wires coming from it - one I can't see where it goes, but I presume off to the engine bay onto the solenoid. The other is wired up to a live on the fuse box rear - the switch doesn't rely on the ignition being on.

Any help?????

Post by **ringo** » 11 Dec 2007, 20:40

Hey Louey,

I need some more info:

Is there a relay involved at all ? Sounds like there should be.

Do you have to switch on the switch before starting the engine (im curious!) ?

How big are your fuses (what rating)?

Im not sure how many amps a solenoid takes - i wouldnt have thought that much. I know the wire to mine isnt very big. E D I T: About an amp max apparently.

It could be a dodgy earth - might be an idea to change the wire that goes to the engine bay?

Wouldnt it be handy to wire up a relay thats switched on by the ignition?

Hopefully someone really clever will be along soon!

Ringo

Post by **Dan Wood** » 11 Dec 2007, 20:45

The insulation on the cable run has probably had it, and it's earthing to the bodywork or some such. Where are these in-line fuses located?
The solenoid could be on its last legs too I suppose, but I'd check the wiring first.

Perhaps you could find the solenoid in the engine bay and wire it directly to a 12V feed in there. Was going to suggest the LT side of the ignition coil, but then remembered you have a diesel! There must be a 12V somewhere in the engine bay that switches with the ignition key...

Post by **Mocki** » 11 Dec 2007, 20:52

Leon!
firstly, ive never looked in your engine bay, so bear with me.......

having done this conversion, i cant see any reason why it would be manually switched, other than as a anti theft deterrent.

the fuel cut off solenoid only needs a +12vdc from the ignition line, which is in the rear fusebox, i took mine off the original coil power, if you havent had the loom changed, you can do the same, as for the blowing of fuses, having three isnt three times as much protection, infact, it often gives less, dump two of the fuses, as you know bad connections cause heat, and high resistance, which in its self is enough to blow fuses...there shouldnt be any "earth"

Post by **Louey** » 11 Dec 2007, 21:25

the electrics were butchered in my van - the rear fuse box is scary and I don't think it is used. Don't ask me why it was done this way -

I'm gonna have a go at wiring it back up to the ignition but with a switch in to act a as a immoby.

The new switch I have has three connections, two live and one earth, BUT doesn't tell me which is which, any ideas?

Post by **Mocki** » 11 Dec 2007, 21:27

is it a illuminating switch?
if not it hasnt a earth!

normally the centre pin is out, the lower is in and the top is earth, but they should be marked, if in doubt, get thee multimeter ( or battery and bulb) out on it.....

Post by **Louey** » 11 Dec 2007, 22:41

Thanks Steve - yep its got an LED on the switch. I've been out and removed the plunger from the solenoid till I can get to swap all the wiring out. It will be a case of stalling to stop

Post by **Louey** » 19 Dec 2007, 14:19

I stripped all the wiring out and I know have a switch wired up to the ignition and the solenoid and only one fuse

The probable cause was a bar bit of wire shorting out on the bodywork. So far it all works fine

Thanks

Post by **Rozzo** » 19 Dec 2007, 20:18

well done m8. very satisfying to find a fault and solve it