Xy
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 posted on 10/7/04 at 10:35 PM |
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Blowing fuses....
Hi all,
First post here, but I’ve been reading this very useful site for nearly a year now !!
I’m currently in the middle of installing the wiring in my car and I’ve just come across a problem…..
Basically, I’m trying to get the brake warning switch to work and every time I press either the test switch on the dash or on top of the brake
reservoir, I blow a fuse.
The fused supply is only used for this warning light so I think that the problem is isolated to the brake warning light circuit itself.
My initial guess would be that I have a short to earth somewhere, but I thought that there may be somebody who could shed some light on this possibly
simple problem ????
TIA
Matthew
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type 907
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| posted on 10/7/04 at 11:35 PM |
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Hi Matthew
Electrics are not my strong point but try this:-
power to fuse
from fuse to w/light
two wires from w/light,
one to test switch then to earth.
the other to fluid level switch then to earth.
When either switch operates, flow is through bulb to earth.
No guarantee given. If this fails use big nail in place of fuse.
Paul G
Too much is just enough
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millenniumtree
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| posted on 11/7/04 at 01:25 AM |
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As long as you're positive there is no short!!!!
If there are 0 ohms (short) through the circuit, and you put a nail in it, it WILL start a fire. I nearly set my computer on fire because I shorted
out the little PC speaker. The wires were crispy black and smoking!
If you don't already have a multimeter, now is the time to get one. One that will measure amperage (ammeter) would be useful as well.
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JoelP
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| posted on 11/7/04 at 07:23 AM |
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paul has it right, except the nail bit which seems a triffle... daft?!!! the brake fluid warning is switched on the earth side of it all, so my
guess is that you have wired the live to the switch first. Hence it shorts out. In the sierra, it is slightly different to what paul says, in that
instead of two wires from the bulb there are two from the bulb side of the level switch - essentially the same but not quite. Im guessing that your
current set up has live to one side of the level switch, then two wires from the other side - one to the bulb and one to the handbrake switch. This is
where the short will be. Just a guess but to me it seems the most likely.
Best of luck anyway, and dont blow the thing up - remember, blowing fuses isnt a bad thing, its when they dont blow you get into a mess.
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type 907
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| posted on 11/7/04 at 09:18 AM |
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Sorry chaps, the nail bit was a joke, hence
the winking smiles.
On a more serious note, isn't a handbrake
light an SVA requirement, effectively making the test button on the dash
redundent.
I suppose a reference to the "crispy black
and smoking" bit, and my wife's cooking,
is out of the question.
Paul G
Too much is just enough
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Xy
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| posted on 11/7/04 at 10:36 AM |
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Thanks for the replys.
I'm not using the handbrake as a test switch (and hence the test switch on the dash).
I think I understand everything you've suggested - basically I have a short somewhere in the circuit, which is likely to be after the level
switch.
Gives me something to do today then !!
Thanks again.
Matthew
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RoadkillUK
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| posted on 11/7/04 at 01:28 PM |
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I've just done mine and it's pretty simple, if you have your loom loose.
Ignition live to bulb then after bulb you need 2 wires, one to the handbrake switch then to earth, then the second to the fluid level switch then to
earth again.
HTH
Roadkill - Lee
www.bradford7.co.uk
Latest Picture (14 Sept 2014)
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Xy
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| posted on 11/7/04 at 02:15 PM |
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Thanks all.
Managed to fix it
Basically, I'd put an extra earth in the circuit which wasn't required !!
Hence infinite current, hence blown fuse.
Bit silly of me really, but the little red light now turns on and off when required.
Many thanks
Matthew
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