Where Do I Start Looking?!

[deano41]

Hi, I have a really wierd fault just developed on my Gal and wondered if anybody could point me in some sort of direction?

 

here goes,

 

When I press the break, the fog light light on the dash comes on (but the fog lights dont)

When I turn the main light swithch on the fog light light comes on (but the fog lights dont)

When I turn the fog lights on nothing happens.

 

When I go into reverse the dash lights light up, but the reversing lights dont come on.

 

The parking sensors stay on sometimes.

 

I have checked the wiring looms between the drivers door and the tail gate but they look ok?

 

Are there any other common wiring problems that could cause this?

 

Any clues?????

 

Thanks in advance

 

Dean

 

2001 2.3 ghia auto

[Stevoo]

sounds messed up lol. i would first check bulbs are ok, then check the fuses for the lights. if all ok your prob need an electrical engineer to have a gander at it.

[NikpV]

wonder if you have a loose earth somewhere forcing current to flow in unexpected directions ... maybe

[viking]

Check the wiring loom on the rear hatch where it passes through the gaitor. Wires here often chafe and may be responsible for your problems.

[RADIOTWO]

Hi, I have a really wierd fault just developed on my Gal and wondered if anybody could point me in some sort of direction?

 

here goes,

 

When I press the break, the fog light light on the dash comes on (but the fog lights dont)

When I turn the main light swithch on the fog light light comes on (but the fog lights dont)

When I turn the fog lights on nothing happens.

 

When I go into reverse the dash lights light up, but the reversing lights dont come on.

 

The parking sensors stay on sometimes.

 

I have checked the wiring looms between the drivers door and the tail gate but they look ok?

 

Are there any other common wiring problems that could cause this?

 

Any clues?????

 

Thanks in advance

 

Dean

 

2001 2.3 ghia auto

 

Sounds like a bad earth, try the connections at the rear lights

 

Radiotwo

[Smilge]

Dean ..... what you need to do is to isolate the problem which could be caused by a number of things. Check that all the external lights are working first (fog lamps we know aren't working) Then, if you can, get hold of a wiring diagram (TIS) and then start disconnecting and then reconnecting plug by plug to see if the fog lamp indication goes out. I would start with the headlamp switch bearing in mind that you are operating relays when doing this and will lose the power. You can then put a shorting link in the disconnected plug using a small piece of wire to provide power to the various parts of the circuit. Best of luck matey.

[deano41]

Thanks for the help, looks like i'm in for a long weekend will let you know how i get on!!

 

cheers

 

Deano

[deano41]

Hi, thanks for the advise so far, Having looked again at the rear loom ( the off side this time !!!) I think I have found the problem!!! About 6 wires showing the inner core and 3 broken completely!

 

The next question is the best way to splice them back together, the breaks are just where the wires exit the car frame so trying to solder them there might be tricky, is there any mileage in taking the rear covers off or the rear light cluster out to gain better access?

 

Will be going to get a load of wire tomorrow so any hints or tips would be welcome!

 

Thanks

 

 

Dean

[chazhead]

This is just my opinion, but I would not solder.

 

Multistrand wire is used to provide flexibility in the cable without breakage, if you solder in new wire, the joins will become solid and as such inflexible and will fail quicker.

 

I would remove access panels to access the loom further back from the exposed join and either scotch lock in new wire or cut and crimp in new connectors and heat shrink tube them to hold firm.

[big_kev]

It is quite easy to remove the entire loom from the car...do a repair on the wiring and put the loom back in.

 

I would advise this as the best approach.

[deano41]

Thanks for the advise chaps, with regard to removing the loom completly how much of the car do you have to dismantle to do this? where are the conectors for this? and then is it better to get a replacement loom?! Are they loads of money? sorry loads of questions but once I start to do this I know the wife will be going on about how long is it going to take, as I am sure she will have some very important shopping to do that quite simply cant wait!!!!

 

Thanks again.

 

I have taken some pictures of the broken wiring if thay are of any use to put on the forum for reference?

[MadBaz]

I recently replaced about 3 feet of loom in tailgate using 2 lengths of 7 core trailer socket cable and chockblocks, and it works ok. I chopped the loom near the top of the tailgate (behind the trim)and managed to squeeze the chock blocks inside the frame, and chopped it below the rear top seat belt anchor point (agian behind the trim)and tucked the chockblocks down near the rear light cluster, it's a mind numbing job, just don't cross any wires and make sure you leave some slack, this can be pulled thru and tucked out of sight.

[big_kev]

Check the FAQ for details on harness repairs and removal of trims etc.

 

 

http://www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/ford/index.php?showtopic=7886