fridge on 12v

[scottbott]

found out today that my fridge only works on 12 volts as I am driving when I have my headlights on,switch lights off and the red indicator light goes off,switch lights back on and red light back on,works fine on mains and gas,any ideas peeps??

[1664]

I'm not sure what 'little red light' you mean - most fridges I've seen don't have one unless you're referring to the electronic gas igniter switch that flashes?

Anyway, assuming you do have a 12v indicator lamp. There's only three possibilities I can think of;

1. The 'trigger' wire that switches the fridge relay to connect the fridge to the alternator (via the battery usually) has been taken off the headlights.
2. The 'trigger' wire is off the alternator blue wire (as shown in the Wiki) but the actual 12v feed to the fridge relay has been taken off the headlights
3. The relay has been bypassed totally and someone has connected the fridge 12v feed directly to the headlights.

Now I know when you have your headlights turned on and you turn the engine off that the headlights either dim or go out completely just leaving the sidelights; not sure if this is done via a vehicle relay or not but if it is your fridge maybe connected to that?

The fridge relay on an Autosleeper is located (so I've heard) behind the control panel above the 'kitchen' window.

Autosleeper wiring diagram https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Au ... ng_diagram" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[scottbott]

had a look at the light switch today,it was replaced about 6 months ago,the replacement was from jk,they asked how many pins were on the switch I said 8,received a new one all working fine until I looked today and checked the terminal numbers they were,1, X,1, 56,1 ,58L,1, 58R,1, 58,1, 58B,1 ,30,1, 30.the harness had connectors numbered 56,X,58B,58,58L,30,58R,56D,looking at it I reckon that 56Dhas no pin going into it,have I the wrong switch?,do not know if a trigger switch has been added as all looks 'factory',anyone any ideas,hope the above makes sense,thanks

[1664]

I think we're going to struggle here. There is no 'trigger' switch and the type of headlight switch fitted is irrelevant. What you are looking for is where either your fridge relay or fridge element is fed from; either way you are going to have to trace the wiring.
According to the Autosleeper wiring diagram I posted a link to earlier, the relay 'trigger' wire was run from the ignition switch. The 12v feed to the fridge element comes from the control panel (via said relay) terminal A2. This is how Autosleeper would have wired it originally.

If someone has messed with the wiring (and they must have if it only works with the headlights on) my starting point would be to see if the trigger wire has been removed from the ignition and spliced into the headlights circuit somewhere. Although the switch is the obvious location to do that, it is not necessarily where it has been done as you can splice into a circuit wherever you like. This wire will not be a part of the VW wiring harness and should stick out like a sore thumb. A few questions;

1. What exactly is the little red light you mentioned in your original post?
2. Do you have an electrical multimeter?
3. Have you looked for (and found) the fridge relay behind the control panel?

[scottbott]

the red light is on the front of my zig mc 2000 unit,yes have a multimeter and have seen the relay behind the zig unit,the trouble is that the wire from the relay goes forward behind a wooden panel and I cannot see where it emerges as it goes to the front of the van,will have to get stuck into it or leave it until after vanfest as a bit busy at the moment doing jobs around the house,does the fact that a pin from the light switch has a different number on it where it joins the harness connector number,the numbers must be the same where they join surely??.it is all a bit rocket science to me in all honesty

[1664]

the red light is on the front of my zig mc 2000 unit

Aah now you see your initial post was worded in such a way as to suggest this light was on the fridge. We are into different territory now. The Autosleeper wiring diagram shows the control unit being connected to the starter battery OR the leisure battery if one is fitted.

You need to do a few tests to trace cables electrically. I cannot fathom why someone would link your Zig to your headlights frankly. I know I keep saying forget about the headlight switch but did everything work ok before this switch was replaced?

Since electrical stuff is all 'rocket science' to you it would be handy if you had any rocket scientist friends that know how to carry out electrical tests - know anyone? Would make life easier.....

[scottbott]

thanks for the reply,will work it out, will ask the father in law,had a look today and everything looks ''factory'',nothing bodgy,at least it sort of works and will put it onto my list of jobs to do over the winter,may try and pick some brains at vanfest,after I have introduced myself,not having met many people yet