electrical system gremlins -help!

[blackcat 0]

Can anyone tell me where the earth for the electrical system is likely to be on a mk 3 golf please?

 

I've got something proper dodgy going on with my electrics (mainly my lights) :?

[blackcat 0]

so, no one knows then???

[Supercharged 2]

Hiya - there are various points...

 

Whats the symptoms?

[blackcat 0]

firstly my indicators started not working/indicating the wrong way.

Now, the indicators don't work if I am braking!! Plus when I brake the dash light that indicates the fogs are on lights up! Just wondering if I have a dodgy earth somewhere.

[blackcat 0]

someone please help me!!!

 

If I am braking my indicators won't work. As soon as I lift my foot off the pedal they start to work. What is going on?

 

It is quite annoying (and dangerous!) to be driving my car at the moment!!

[craigowl 0]

Certainly sounds like the classic "poor earthing" problem.

 

Dont know enough to say where earth wires are.

 

Look in engine compartment for copper wires/braids fastened to thick metal by bolts. (Engine off, please!)

Any green copper corrosion is good pointer, too.

Sorry cant be more specific.

Good luck, Someone else will probably be able to give you more advice.

[blackcat 0]

Thanks craigowl.

 

I'll have a look under the bonnet tonight.

[Deluk 0]

the best thing to do with wiring is clean it and have a look about

[blackcat 0]

Yeah but I have no idea where to look!

 

I have taken steering wheel off and cleaned the connections for the indicator stalks and stuff, but apart from that I haven't got a clue.

 

So at the moment I have to choose between braking or indicating which isn't very good.

[NickRStorm 0]

If you've had problems with water ingress into the rear light clusters, this can corrode the connectors really badly over time. I had similar wierd problems on my Golf caused by water.

 

You might have some luck & be able to clean them up - open the rear hatch & undo the clips that hold all the bulbs to the back of the cluster & unclip the electrical plug. You will then be able to remove the entire backplane off the car & have a good look. Clean off any rust on connecting surfaces with emery paper & test for a good connection between any bad rust points on the metal tracks back to the connector block.

 

If it's beyond help, I seem to remember that they are around £35 / side to replace.

 

Good luck!

[blackcat 0]

I hadn't thought about the light clusters at the back. As far as I know I've had no problems with water getting in the back but it's worth a look! Cheers.

[NickRStorm 0]

You never actually see any water inside - it seems to stay in the cluster until it evaporates, but of course it rusts everything it can in the process :(

[gsbellew 0]

There should be an earth point in the rear near the lighting cluster, a poor earth there is your best bet for the problems with braking and indicating.

[blackcat 0]

Cheers guys, will look later.

 

Hopefully this'll get it sorted as I'm getting fed up with being tooted for not indicating :oops:

 

I feel like putting a sign on my car saying 'my car won't let me indicate!'

[Deluk 0]

go old school and use your arms