Electrical nightmare...I'm a plumber not a sparky!!!! HELP..

Post by **rednip120372** » 29 May 2007, 19:19

Totally baffled !!!!!!!!

Had a knackerd leisure battery on our new to us 1990 T3 (LHD) that led to me investigate some wiring. On the split charger side near the leisure battery the solenoid had gone so I replaced it!

With the van running the solenoid clicks as though it is being charged but I get no difference in voltage on the volt meter across this battery.

One of the wires from the solenoid joins to another wire (I don't know where that comes from) and these 2 wires connect to the negative on the battery. If I remove these 2 wires the solenoid clicks. If I hold the volt meter on the wires that I've just removed from the battery I get a voltage reading. I my mind it's almost as if the solenoid's working in reverse. Could this be the case?

The Eberspacher was working fine but now only clicks. The fan isn't running but the green light goes on but that's it ..

The wires from the control panel go into a large silver fag packet size box along with lots more wires! I thought this box was part of the heater but it has VW on it?

Website · Post by **dbroada** » 29 May 2007, 19:34

one plumbing diagram.....

[IMG:500:612]http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l168/ ... Charge.jpg[/img]

pins 85/86 are the coil. 1 side should go to chassis, the other should only have 12v on it when the engine is running.

you should see similar voltages on pins 30/87 when the engine is off and identical voltages when the engine is running.

You should have (don't always have though) a fuse near each battery. Have a look for them, one may have blown. These fuses often blow if the LB has been allowed to discharge too far. You get a surge on startup as the main battery tries to charge the flat one as well as the alternator. If your LB is flat it is preferable to recharge it from the mains before fitting back in the van.

Ebers have a low voltage cutout so recharge/replace your LB before investigating that.

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 29 May 2007, 19:51

Hey Rednip, what type of camper conversion is it?

Post by **rednip120372** » 29 May 2007, 19:56

Thanks for the diagram.

I've replaced the leisure battery and the Eberspacher still doesn't work!

In the diagram, the wire that connects to my LB connects to the neg terminal. Is this ok?! The solenoid has a fuse built into it and that seems to be fine. I've also found a weird looking electrical connection next to the starting battery which looks a bit like a solenoid (with only 2 wires) but it isn't one! It looks like a joint box with a fuse in it. Any ideas please...

Post by **rednip120372** » 29 May 2007, 19:58

It's a Bluestar with Westfalia interior and Reimo hightop.

Website · Post by **dbroada** » 29 May 2007, 20:03

the wires coming off 30 & 87 should go to the +ve terminals of each battery. The -ve terminals should have a connection to the chassis.

The fuse in the relay protects the relay terminals but a fuse near each positive is still recommended in case either of those wires get chafed through and make a connection to earth.

I can't answer your other questions as I have neither a box like you describe nor a heater.

Post by **rednip120372** » 29 May 2007, 20:16

The wire definitely goes to the neg terminal. There's another wire connected to the neg terminal as well but I haven't the foggiest where that goes to!! It has worked in the past and I don't know enough about the spaghetti of wires I've found to change it myself.

Post by **Plasticman** » 29 May 2007, 20:28

Where abouts are you?
Mike

Post by **rednip120372** » 29 May 2007, 20:30

I'm in Sheffield...having an electrical nervous breakdown!!!

Website · Post by **dbroada** » 29 May 2007, 20:37

just a thought.....

if your wire goes to the negative is it possible somebody has fitted a 24v heater? It is not an elegant solution and less than ideal for subsequent owners.

Without seeing what you've got I would very carefully trace every wire and draw your own circuit diagram or rip it all out and start again.

Post by **rednip120372** » 29 May 2007, 20:48

I'll try and upload a photo - but looking at it, it looks factory fitted or at the very least not a bodge job by any means.

Post by **rednip120372** » 29 May 2007, 21:12

[IMG:640:480]http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x195 ... age004.jpg[/img]

Here's a really bad mobile phone pic of the thing that's under the rock and roll bed - I don't know what this is or what it does but the heater controls go into it!

Post by **Rozzo** » 30 May 2007, 06:44

thats the eberspacher control box of tricks and electrickery. you must have a fairly old eber i reckon cos that box is built in the modern ones.

Post by **perro** » 30 May 2007, 16:11

Have you sorted your problem? if not Im in rotherham next week and would be happy to have a look for you no charge but a cup of tea would be nice .
Electrics is my thing crap with anything water related which is why I drive an Aircooled ,

is it true all plumbers are failed electricians lol just joking not sure how you plumbers can work with wet knees all day must stop the plumbers jokes I may offend you lol . Let me know if its not sorted and will pack some bits in the back of the car

Regards

Perro

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