Help !!

[Vx gunmetal]

A very bizarre problem. B reg Vx coupe.

I installed a central lock kit utilising the permanent live which is on a bulb below the glove box. Used the nearby earth too, it works no problem. The light on switch drivers side was not working so I cleaned it up, now working. In this mode I took off both earths at the rear of the headlamps cleaned these up great no problems, (or so I thought) went in car to check headlight operation, ace, all working.

It was then I noticed I had no instrument readout ( with ignition on) in summary the only electrical items that seem to work are permanent lives such as hazard warning light (but not indicators) radio is live but does not turn on, windows etc do not work. retraced steps and in turn disconnected all headlight earths no joy. Fusebox feed is live, all fuses good, only the last 4 are showing any power regardless of ignition state. Car will turn over but fails to start. I am real confused. Have I missed something real simple ?

Any ideas much appreciated.

[Hamish]

I installed a central lock kit utilising the permanent live which is on a bulb below the glove box. Used the nearby earth too, it works no problem :P Nice, maybe you could pass on details of which kit you used - and any hassles - for others thinking of going down the same route :?:

As far as the rest goes try this:
Disconnect battery :lol: then undo the fuse box mounts (after taking the fuses & relays out :wink: ).
Disconnect, clean and inspect all of the connections. In particular the two 'chunky' cables coming into and out of the fuse box (live feed - grey/white if I remember). Reconnect the lot. Now follow the wiring loom from the fuse box down to the nearside of the car. There will be a round pin type connector which is prone to corrosion inside - again clean it out, clean the connectors and put it back together again.
That should :? restore everything to working order (well, it worked on my old VX HPE). If that doesn't work, check all the connections from the steering column into the loom, in particular check the connections for the lights. Any 'heat melt' then consider wiring in relays on all the lights.
If that doesn't work - I give in for the time being :wink:

[Vx gunmetal]

The kits are advertised on ebay often, in the car parts section (randomly under different makes) such as :
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2431989502&ssPageName=ADME:B:BN:UK:1

There are others, but they are from the far east and shipping is as much as the kit ! Beats me why bidders haven't sussed that one.

Prices vary, but bid no more than £10-11 as they have lots, (just look under sellers other items)

No hassles really on the install very straight forward, the only minor problem is fitting the rod which acts on the doors pin lever, this has to be relaxed but straight and not under undue tension, as the motor would be unable to pull and push it. I found one side did not work and this was the cause.

Thanks hamish I'll check those areas. Any other thoughts appreciated.

[Will]

I believe that all of the items that you mentioned specifically are on one common circuit- the ignition circuit.
Does your central locking box also have an ignition kill? I'm guessing your problem may lie there.
-Will

[Vx gunmetal]

Thanks Will, but the c/l kit has no such connection, only needs an earth and live from the car system. However I also uninstalled it and the car was the same. I think I may have been mis directed by the install and cleaning the earths, the problem may have been present before the install as I haven't started the car for a week or so (its not battery also changed that as I have a spare). So it could be as in previous post an ignition fault. The search continues :(

[Vx gunmetal]

Right, finally got around to sorting this problem ! Problem was no power to all accessories, only permanent lives circuits worked. Problem was caused by me, when I cleaned the earths at headlight end I mistakenly attached a 'free wire' to earth. This caused a fault on an ignition circuit wire. Which was not rectified by removal of the 'free wire'.

A simple bridge of 2 ignition circuit wires fixed this, and I have full system restored. She even started on first turn. Wish I could claim credit for fixing it, but alas I called in an auto electrician, he could find no purpose of this 'free wire' and it was removed. Guess it was a bear trap....OUCH ! He was superb sorted a few other odd issues too, best £45 I've even spent.........apart from that hooker in.......but hey thats another story!! :)

Alarm linked to central locking now fitted ( no auto electrician needed ;) )now body work issues being addressed ! It will all end one day !