xantia mk1 electrical worry

[aerodynamica]

Um, there's something that occasionally seems to spark a bit from around the fuse box area just after start up What is it!?! Nothing seems to malfunction o dear glad I carry a fire extinguisher.....

[wurlycorner]

Main fuse box in the engine compartment?
Or the one inside the car?

Have you taken the cover off the fuse box and looked to see if anything is obviously wrong?

Pic of where the sparks appear?

I would strongly advise not starting it up until you know something more...

[aerodynamica]

Hi yes it's the main fuse box in the car, driver side RHD. I have had a close look at the whole area and cannot see any sign of anything bad. I spotted it in the dark so it was hard to pinpoint it. It might even have been from one of the switches above the area e.g the front fogs/ rear window override/ alarm override.

Everything functions, no blown fuses.

[chinkostu]

All relays seated properly?

[xantia_v6]

You might have the beginnings of a fault like: http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... hp?t=45415

The fuse box can be removed and the joints re-soldered (but it is a fiddly job).

[aerodynamica]

All relays seated properly?

Not many relays in a mk1 diesel haha. I had a look because the indicator relay /timer was loose but no signs of arcing or anything.

[chinkostu]

All relays seated properly?

Not many relays in a mk1 diesel haha. I had a look because the indicator relay /timer was loose but no signs of arcing or anything.

still a couple definately off the top of my head the intermittent and rear wiper timer relay, the one that flashes the headlights for the alarm, the indicator one, washer one maybe!


take them out one by one and look for scorch marks!

[CitroJim]

It's not the glowplug relay connections is it?

[Xantidote]

It's not the glowplug relay connections is it?

I presume that as with my S1 TD, the glowplugs relay is close by the battery, against the nearside inner wing, and I've always presumed that the main feed to the relay is direct to the battery, even though it disappears into the loom. Having said that, there will obviously be a feed to operate the glowplugs relay from the ignition switch/fusebox - could this be what might ultimately sets your RH trouser leg on fire?

If the sparks are only visible in the dark, then that's the time to do your visual observations to locate the problem area

[CitroJim]

Yes, it is Martin and in close proximity to the fuse box in question...

[Xantidote]

Isn't Graeme saying that it's the fuse box IN the car by his right knee, not the one just behind the battery - hence the reference to his trousers?

Ahh, he might be Martin... I've not been to specsavers recently....

[aerodynamica]

Haha that's ok! yes it's in the car and it might occur at any time it's simply that i spotted it in the dark (though I think I heard it a few times before that...)

Is there another relay for the glow plug BIG relay near the battery? ANd this too might be in the fuse box/relay area?

It is possibly that then as it's the only thing running when the ignition is switched on (I always have the blower set to off before turning the key in case the ignition sitch burns out with the old 'heater blower switch problem' so it's certainly the only large demand item that would be on)

I had a suspicion it was a relay to do with the electric windows as I was sure I heard the mild arcing sound while I held the button for the passenger side window down.

The Silver Hornet is having a couple of days off just now (I bike ot to work most days) so will next have a look either tomorrow or wednesday evening. Thanks for the advice all

[chinkostu]

I dont think theres a relay for the passenger window is there? Theres one for the one touch drivers thats in the door itself

[aerodynamica]

Yea think you're right there. I had just replaced the one touch one after the original was duff. Was getting a problem with it lately though in that the driver's window was opening but then not closing unless I pressed up a few times. Might be the switch itself there. It was shortly after that I found the arcing thing from the fuse box. Not sure there's any relation between the two though.

[CitroJim]

By far the biggest consumer of current in the passenger compartment will be the blower (30A at peak) so its fuse in the fusebox is a good candidate...

It could be the fuse itself rather than the fusebox itself...

Give it a wiggle in the dark and see if you can provoke it...