Wipers / Intermittent Indicators / Lights -have checked wiki

[ronburgundy]

Hi all

Hopefully you will take pitty on a member with little electrical know how!

My new van started to have a problem when I used the full beam for the first time (on way home after buying it of course) - this caused the indicators to stop working and the full beam to stay on. The indicator bulb on the dash would just stay on when idicating rather than flashing.

This seemed to then strangely cure itself and I am able to use the lights on and off with full beam and indicators are fine

The wipers have unfortunately stopped working altogether......... which is a problem

I have checked the Wiki and think this is what I need to know:
https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/VW ... bad_earths" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Unfortunately my limited electrical knowledge means that I need this put in more basic terms for me to understand Or if I am on completely the wrong track a pointer in the right direction would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance

Rob

[kevtherev]

do you have the blade type fuse board?
like in the wiki?

[edoh]

Having answered the revs question about type of van and fuses - I can offer you my limited experience -
For me the crown of earths clean up was uncomplicated and straightforward -

Take off black earth cable lead on main battery earth post (11 mm spanner - situated under drivers seat on mine) -
A good safety precaution as there are live wires under the dashboard -
Tie some cloths round end of cable you have just taken off so cable cant touch the battery post
Take off glove box - by squeezing clips together at the top (on mine ) - and lower glove box -

You should now be able to see and access the earth crowns on the left hand side -- similar to photo in the wiki -

a torch if you need to see more clearly - and a pair of long nosed pliers might be useful - I pulled off the connectors one at a time - cleaned them up with a green scourer/emery board sandpaper til they got nice n shiny clean - then cleaned the post they were on with the same - and clipped them back on - making sure they were a nice tight fit -

there is also a screw in the middle of each crown that holds the crown onto the body of the van - which you can take off - clean and replace if you want to -

when your happy with how they look - a spay of wd 40 - and return the glove box - return and secure the earth cable to the battery - you may well hear a whirring sound when you do this - as the electrical connections get remade - nothing to be anxious about -
try your lights and other electrics again and drop a comment on the forum to let us know how your doing -

If you need some company - I'm in Essex too and would happily meet up or help talk through anything you get stuck on -

[ronburgundy]

do you have the blade type fuse board?
like in the wiki?

Hi Kev & edoh

I just took a couple of pictures as mine appears to be different to the one in the wiki:





Thanks for the help guys - much appreciated!

I'm in Essex too and would happily meet up or help talk through anything you get stuck on -

edoh - thanks for the support, this would be very helpful - would be great to meet up with a fellow high top owner!

[CovKid]

I have similar fuses and have encountered what appeared to be intact fuses that were in fact broken, leading to all kinds of problems. Certainly worth checking earth crowns up above the fuse box on door pillar but do check fuses really carefully (pull each out in turn and check closely). Also look to see if the crown connection hasn't or isn't being affected by incoming moisture/leaks from windscreen.

[ronburgundy]

I have similar fuses and have encountered what appeared to be intact fuses that were in fact broken, leading to all kinds of problems. Certainly worth checking earth crowns up above the fuse box on door pillar but do check fuses really carefully (pull each out in turn and check closely). Also look to see if the crown connection hasn't or isn't being affected by incoming moisture/leaks from windscreen.

Thanks CovKid

I will have a look at each of the fuses and report back later when home from work.

I assume I need to disconnect the battery as edoh mentioned when inspecting fuses and earth crowns etc? (I told you my knowledge is basic ).

Sorry for the numpty questions, but we all have to start somewhere. I have plenty of enthusiasm, sadly not the same level of skill!!

I appreciate your help!

[CovKid]

Yes, probably wise to take earth off battery and then have a good look along fuse chain. Also check wires to fuse box itself are all firm, particularly those on back of fuses related to bits that aren't working. If battery is disconnected, you can generally unscrew fusebox enough to lift it (a little) and check connectors are sound.

[sezicoolcat]

If you need some company - I'm in Essex too and would happily meet up or help talk through anything you get stuck on -

Nice one edoh - This is one of the things that makes this club what it is. Ofcourse there is all the online help and people helping each other, but its the drop everything and go and help a fellow member that makes me find joy. As ermie / compo / campervanfan can testiment to (specially in the snow, hey Mark)

Hope you get sorted out soon Rob and you will soon learn useful skills now you own one of these babies

Sarah

[ronburgundy]

Thanks for the moral support Sarah You are right, I have only been a member for a short time but many people have already gone out of their way to help me out.

Thanks Covkid and edoh again for your advice, things are starting to make more sense now........... although I can't guarantee I won't ask any more stupid questions...........like.............

When looking at the wires I noticed two were disconnected - apologies I should have spotted this before but they were tucked away quite convincingly! Can I just go ahead and connect both up to the available two connectors on the fuse board? Will I short something out if incorrect? Will I electrocute myself? !!

Disconnected Wires:



I know there used to be an imobilisor on the van prior to the previous owner, but this has been disconnected. Could these be left over from this? Can anyone tell looking at the wires and the available connectors (picture below) which should go where and if either look like the wires from the windcreen wipers!?





Further to edoh's suggestion about cleaning up the crowns and Covkids advice on the fuses themselves, I had a closer inspection - the fuses, although coroded look intact:



The crowns also have a little corrosion on them too:


Naturally I would like to connect the lose wires up first before cleaning the crowns and replacing fuses etc, but judging by the small pool of water on the driver's footwell I will need to fix the windscreen leak also to stop any further corrosion To be fair I did know about this before buying the van..... anyway I digress! Do you think I am safe connecting the wires and giving it a test?

Many thanks in advance for your help

[ronburgundy]

Thanks all for your help

I found out that the black/white wire works the windscreen wipers but has one side of the metal connector broken so won't attach - I will replace this and all should be good.

Not sure what the red wire is for as all other things seem to work..... I am sure I will come accross what is does at some point

Thanks

[kevtherev]

might be the fag lighter as it's fused

[ronburgundy]

Thanks Kev

Think this is ok as it charged my phone the other day.

Is there anything else that needs to be fused (I assume the black plastic section in the wire is the fused part)?

Cheers

[edoh]

You seem to be doing really well!

Might be worth putting a tag on the wires you have worked on - and taking a photo of them - just so you can have a reminder of where they go and what they do. If you think you might be doing a lot more work to your wiring - it may be useful to get a Haynes manual for your model and check out the wiring diagrams in the back - to give you an idea of which wires go where - and what their functions are. Investing in a multi meter might also be useful - so you have some way of checking the wiring as you work through it.

Keep us posted as to whats still outstanding - and keep sharing your knowledge and experience. Useful all round.

[ronburgundy]

Cheers edoh

I must admit I felt a bit of a muppett when I found the disconnected wires tucked in at the back

I am more confident with other more basic mechanical bits, just never could get my head around electrics.

Still, gave the van a mini service on the weekend, changing the oil, oil filter, air filter and fuel filter Basic stuff, but it helps you get acquainted with your van!

Thanks for the support, maybe meet up some time soon?

Cheers

[shanco73]

Hi Rob, I see you sold on the green meanie, sorry she wasnt for you mate, i like your new van looks realy nice hope you get your little electric niggles sorted out.

Steve Hancock