Club 80-90 Forums

Hi
My 1990 California has sat motionless for a couple of months with no apparent problem. I nipped in to get something last night and noticed a buzzing noise (like the fridge makes when driving) coming from the rear. I think I have tracked the noise to the area to the right side of the rear seats- a boxed-in area behind the electric plug socket.

The buzzing is still going on and seems to be getting louder (though could be that I'm more aware of it). I can't find anything that is switched on. The engine starts fine. No idea what the problem is.

Am going to take it in to the garage tomorrow but wondered if anyone had had this problem and if there is something simple I am overlooking?

Anyone able to help?

Cheers

You dont mean the Blackk buzzing box do you? AKA 240V charging unit, if the van is plugged into the mains it makes this noise, under bench seat on the RHS.

Thanks for your reply Hacksawbob

Unfortunately not, the noise is coming from the sealed in part of the cupboard unit to the side of the rear seat. It's not hooked up to anything either.

The only other thing in there is the Eberspacher heater, the fuse for this is to the left hand side and behind the drivers seat (along with the fridge fuse) in a little black box on the B Pillar, pop the fuse and see if the buzzing stops.

Job done! Huge Thanks Hacksawbob!
As a complete novice and having only had the van 6 months, I didn't know what that box was for. The noise stopped as soon as I popped out the red fuse-beautiful silence . The blue fuse looked like it needs replacing too! I assume a trip to Halfords for a replacement will resolve the problem.
Thanks very much-saved a trip to the garage!

Make sure you get the right ones, 25Amp fuse for the heater and 16 amp for the fridge/water pump. People tend to chuck anything in there. The switch to turn the heater off is above the arm rest in case you didnt know, make sure its in the middle position!

HLC wrote:
The noise stopped as soon as I popped out the red fuse-beautiful silence

I assume a trip to Halfords for a replacement will resolve the problem.

Fitting a new fuse will just start the noise off again !

You have to find out what and why summat is buzzing.

If it is (as seems likely) the Eber, then you need to find out why it suddenly started buzzing on it's own.
Does it stop if you turn it off with the switch ?
Is it trying to fire up ?
Have you ever had it working ?
Perhaps it has a thermostat that has now started to try to fire it up (now the cold weather is upon us)

You will need to check this out (or just leave the fuse out for now, and check it later)

Quote: A boxed-in area behind the electric plug socket. This has got to be the submersible water pump for the cold water tap.
The little brass operating pin on the cold tap often get stuck open. This then pushes onto the microswitch permanently operating the electric pump (pull out the cutlery drawer for a better view & acccess) pull off spade terminals on the microswitch to diagnose.
The water sloshing around will alter the tone of the pump.

BBB charger doesn't work unless it's plugged into the mains hookup..
Eberspacher heater can make a noise but I'm sure you would have noticed the green light on and hot air coming from the lower grill R&R bed/seat front panel.

Martin

Thanks very much for all of your input-much appreciated.

The Eber hasn't really worked properly while we've had the van. The switch is in the middle but when we turn the heat on a geren light and red light come on. Need to get it looked at really. Learning bit by bit at the moment but difficult with all of the manuals etc in German! Have downloaded some translated versions but they are for different models so not always straight forward.

I initially thought it was a pump issue in the tank, so will explore that too over the Xmas holiday and follow your guidance-thanks California Dreamin. Not used the water tank yet as wasn't sure how best to clean it/make it safe to use.

For the moment we've got peace and quiet and peace of mind, so thanks all for your input.

California Dreamin wrote:Quote: A boxed-in area behind the electric plug socket. This has got to be the submersible water pump for the cold water tap.
The little brass operating pin on the cold tap often get stuck open. This then pushes onto the microswitch permanently operating the electric pump (pull out the cutlery drawer for a better view & acccess) pull off spade terminals on the microswitch to diagnose.
The water sloshing around will alter the tone of the pump.

BBB charger doesn't work unless it's plugged into the mains hookup..
Eberspacher heater can make a noise but I'm sure you would have noticed the green light on and hot air coming from the lower grill R&R bed/seat front panel.

Martin

Plug socket may have been added, op did say rhs and the eber fuse quietens it so i think we've at least found what it is, why its allways on job for another day.

Ebber fuse quitened it? there is also the fuse for the kitchen block power (two fuses in the box), as in: fridge/fresh water pump/LED panel......so do we really know it's the Ebber, I don't think so.

Read his description again! I have tracked the noise to the area to the right side of the rear seats- a boxed-in area behind the electric plug socket. Looking at the seats which way? sitting on the seats? I don't think so! looking at the seats from the front....yes I think so.... he says behind the electric plug socket....well on a California thats on the same side as the fridge infront of the R&R seat...

It's the cold water pump alright...

Assuming I am right, If you allow this pump to run dry like this (and I do think it is the submersible pump) it will eventually burn out.....what am I talking about...it might have already burnt out! if you are reading this then whatever you do, leave the fuse out until fixed.


Martin