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Flashing headlights makes engine cut out -FIXED

Posted: 14 Jan 2007, 22:39
by Louey
The engine cut out this evening when I flashed my headlights to someone :?

Didn't realise it was that at first, I went and check the engine earth and battery earth (both on same point) and then check the connections under the steering column shroud in case one was loose.

I had a bit of grief putting the shroud back on and pulled the full beam stalk a few times and tested that the indicator stalk would move - so when I came to start up the engine there was silence!! I turned the ignition on and pressed in the button I use for the glow plugs and all the dash lights went out (the two red ones).

After checking the head lights worked, then the indicators and then full beam (not sure why I tried all of these) I tried the engine again and it fired up no problem - then I tried the indicators and heard a starnge buzzing noise from the direction of the fuse box. When I flashed the headlights the enigne cut out. Any ideas??

Posted: 15 Jan 2007, 01:36
by Andy syncro-nutz
Mmmm doggy Ign switch or summit shorting in the fuse box?

Posted: 15 Jan 2007, 08:00
by Mocki
battery pos connection or ing switch i'd say.

Posted: 15 Jan 2007, 14:00
by Louey
I'll give it a look at this evening - thanks guys

Posted: 15 Jan 2007, 17:59
by Louey
Been out and had a look. Strange things these vans :? :?

Swopped the flasher relay as that was the relay making strange noises last night. Started the engine and it was all working fine. Swopped it back and all is working fine - work that one out :!: :roll:

Posted: 15 Jan 2007, 18:31
by lone gunman
Gremlins :)

Posted: 15 Jan 2007, 18:51
by jed the spread
Mocki wrote: ing switch i'd say.

i had some right wierd things going on when mine went on the blink

jed

Posted: 15 Jan 2007, 23:33
by Andy syncro-nutz
I think 99% of elec faults are in those fuse boxes! Even more so with all the wet weather lately!

Posted: 16 Jan 2007, 11:00
by KarlT
Reminds be of the time my old Bay done the same kind of tricks.

Only thing was I couldn't do anything electical, that meant brakes (lights), indicators, side/main/high lights, or the engine would cut out.

Discovered this while overtaking a truck on the motorway!!!! :shock: !!! & then some more!!!!!! :shock: :shock: !!!!!

Drove another 160 miles trying not to touch brakes or indicators, just using handbrake.

Had to slam the brakes on once at a very busy 'A' road roundabout.
:x

Just remembering trying to hot wire start it (straight from battery to starter motor) in the middle of the carriageway I can feel my stress levels going up!!!!! :x :x

Turned out to be ignition switch!

Posted: 16 Jan 2007, 11:24
by Louey
Any idea how I check the ignition switch - I'm still a numpty when it comes to electrics

Posted: 24 Jan 2007, 17:02
by Louey
bugger,

went out this morning and started the van up fine. Went and removed the cover off heather's car and got back in the van. Switched the headlights on and bugger, the engine cut out!!!

I tried to get it to turn over but no joy - I have a switch to turn on/off the fuel cut off solenoid (its a diesel) and if I turned it on then I had no ignition lights.

Would it be best to trace the wires off the switch and check it for earth and connections??

Posted: 24 Jan 2007, 20:34
by Louey
its running again but I'm sure there still some gremlins in the works. Lets I hope get to work and back home tomorrow :?

Posted: 26 Jan 2007, 01:05
by Andy syncro-nutz
Bear with me! Is your van petrol or diesel?

Posted: 26 Jan 2007, 01:29
by HarryMann
Diesel

Posted: 26 Jan 2007, 07:53
by Mocki
its a bad connection, the only way is to check them all...... it'll be near the battery, or the isolator