Club 80-90 Forums

Just had a new engine fitted, so mechanically life has never been better, but there now seems to be a bit of an electronics problem.

Whenever I brake, indicate or switch headlights on (ie. ignite a bulb) the radio/CD cuts out for a few seconds as if the system has been overpowered. The windscreen wipers are also very slow from time to time.

Any idea what's wrong and are there any simpleish fixes?

I'd be thinking a dirty or coroded earth behind the dash, but the brake lights are earthed at the rear of the van, so perhaps a poor connection at the +ve side of the battery or at the fuse box.

Is your Radio wired to a leisure battery?
Wired to be on just with ignition?
Fancy unit with CD changer?

OK so radio cuts out when wiper, reverse, headlights, indicator or brakes are selected -- and stays off when headlights are on Headlights are very dim, the wipers are slow, and the fuel guage won't go past 1/2 way.

Radio is switchable between van battery and leisure battery -- currently in van mode.
The radio is wired only to permanent live - so is unaffected by ignition being on or off.
Simple headunit with 2 speakers - therefore no crazy wiring or major power drainers.

Seeing as so many items are affected, would I be correct in assuming that the problem is between battery and fuse box, so it is here I should be looking for a bad earth? Should I go round every earth I can find and test it with multimeter/electicians screwdriver - and ensure it is fully contacting the chassis.

does sound a bit like an earthing problem, have a look at the earthing point under the dash on the side of the passenger door pillar..