Thread: bizarre electrical issue

Wohoo, problem solved!! I ran a beefy earth cable from the negaive battery terminal to the starter motor mounting bolt and my annoying problem has disappeared. I ran out of time, but I will also run another cable from the starter motor to the body to be sure . Thanks everyone for your input.

check the condition and adjustment of the hand brake cable as well.

if replacing the engine earthing strap fixed the issue then at least some of the current for starting and charging has been being transmitted through your handbrake cable.

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

check the condition and adjustment of the hand brake cable as well.

if replacing the engine earthing strap fixed the issue then at least some of the current for starting and charging has been being transmitted through your handbrake cable.

Will do. Funny you mention that. The handbrake felt different today.

its a PITA,

to me that suggests replace it or it will do one of 2 things.

1. snap
2. seize and it will seize in the applied position.

On a Easter 4WD trip, my electrical issue has come back and got worse:

- when I use the horn, the windscreen wipers run four times (which is the same interval as when you press the windscreen wash button) when the ignition is on II.
- when I press the windscreen wash button (ignition on II), the horn sounds some times, but not as loud as when pressing the horn button

- when I disconnect the wiper/washer switch completely and press the horn switch, the wipers don't run. Could it be this switch??

As far as I can see, the wiper inrteval is somehow controlled by the ECU. Is this correct?

I am starting to think that this is not an earth issue and I'm leaning towards some sort of fused wires.
I also noticed that No 20 fuse was blown and when I replaced it, it blew again. According to the manual, it is supposed to control headlight dim/level. Is that correct? As my car doesn't have this feature, I pulled the fuse and haven't lost any function. However, it hasn't made any difference.

I'm a bit at a loss where to start. Is it a matter of checking the entire wiring loom between the switches, the ECU and the wiper motor and the horn??
This would be a monumental task.

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers
Joachim

One more question:

where is the earth for the column switches located?

How does the operation of the column stalk feel? If it feels loose/notchy/vague there is a possibility it has malfunctioned, as in melted or broken the plastic that contains the different contacts allowing them to touch causing your faults. Sorry, Im not up on the TD5 earthing for its switching although it may use a BCU like the disco which switches earthing if I recall. a wiring diagram would help you as in the RAVE
Cheers Scott