Electrical Troubleshooting Guide or Procedure

AndyS · 8th March 2022, 13:36

Hi there

Is there an electrical trouble shooting guide of procedure tom be followed to trace down and identify electrical body faults?

I'm looking for some help to trace some electrical niggles on my car so that I can get it sorted and able to pass it's MOT in about a months time.

Car is 2003 2.0 CDTi Auto Tourer, which had been laid up a awhile before I purchased it. It generally runs OK for stopping and starting (but I disconnect the battery to be safe. There are a few running issues to sort, but the electrical niggles are the main problem.

> Battery is discharging (and now tired after being flattened several times), new one is on the way. I therefore always disconnect teh earth if I leave it for more than an hour or so.

> When connecting the battery (ignition off) there is mild sparking so a rasonable cuurrent draw.
> Turning the ignition to position 1 and the voltage drops significantly.

Electrical issues

Instrument Display Upper panel is blank / has split colour.
Fuel level normally not indicated, just showing empty and the orange warning light.
No intermitent wash wipe (I get a single pulse when switching to intermittent then no more.

No rear wash wipe
Sun roof parking is approximate as it does not appear to locate it's parking position.
Heated Seat: Driver's not working but passenger 's is functioning.

Rear Curtosy Light: Not working.
Fuel Flap - Lock Pin: Not working, always unlocked.
Central Locking: No central locking, I only use the key in the lock (only 1x key)
Wing Mirrors - No Power Functions and only one is heated.

Thump Noise: When powering up the car I get a fairly loud thump sound, that sounds as though it is coming from in the dash or heater area.

Engine Is reasonably OK, but a little lumpy and has rattles from the auxiliary end.

And also the usual damageed parts to work through from bumps, bashes and dings... headlights, exhaust, bodywork etc..

Thank you in advance.. ..this wil likely take a while as this is now my daily driver and probably a bit of a project!

SD1too · 9th March 2022, 08:01

Hello Andy,

When you receive your replacement battery, it's more important to keep it fully charged than removing the negative cable. Invest in a smart charger which you can leave connected at all times (I have a Ctek but there are other options).

I'd suggest that you review your listed faults and update us once the new battery is in service.

The thump from the dash/heater area may be a noisy fresh/recirculated air flap. I get that occasionally.

Simon

COLVERT · 9th March 2022, 20:02

Andy.--Do a plenum check.--Lots of info in the forum--How-To's on how to do it.

AndyS · 19th July 2023, 17:04

The car is still running fine and the Body functions are still not fixed/working. I have kept the plenums clear, but What I am needing to do is to try to identify/trace what is broken or carries faults so that I can systematically resolve these historical issues. It has done quite a lot of miles like this and starts, runs, goes and stops really pretty well.

8th March 2022, 13:36	#1
AndyS Regular poster Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: May 2008 Location: Dumbarton Posts: 31 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Electrical Troubleshooting Guide or Procedure Hi there Is there an electrical trouble shooting guide of procedure tom be followed to trace down and identify electrical body faults? I'm looking for some help to trace some electrical niggles on my car so that I can get it sorted and able to pass it's MOT in about a months time. Car is 2003 2.0 CDTi Auto Tourer, which had been laid up a awhile before I purchased it. It generally runs OK for stopping and starting (but I disconnect the battery to be safe. There are a few running issues to sort, but the electrical niggles are the main problem. > Battery is discharging (and now tired after being flattened several times), new one is on the way. I therefore always disconnect teh earth if I leave it for more than an hour or so. > When connecting the battery (ignition off) there is mild sparking so a rasonable cuurrent draw. > Turning the ignition to position 1 and the voltage drops significantly. Electrical issues Instrument Display Upper panel is blank / has split colour. Fuel level normally not indicated, just showing empty and the orange warning light. No intermitent wash wipe (I get a single pulse when switching to intermittent then no more. No rear wash wipe Sun roof parking is approximate as it does not appear to locate it's parking position. Heated Seat: Driver's not working but passenger 's is functioning. Rear Curtosy Light: Not working. Fuel Flap - Lock Pin: Not working, always unlocked. Central Locking: No central locking, I only use the key in the lock (only 1x key) Wing Mirrors - No Power Functions and only one is heated. Thump Noise: When powering up the car I get a fairly loud thump sound, that sounds as though it is coming from in the dash or heater area. Engine Is reasonably OK, but a little lumpy and has rattles from the auxiliary end. And also the usual damageed parts to work through from bumps, bashes and dings... headlights, exhaust, bodywork etc.. Thank you in advance.. ..this wil likely take a while as this is now my daily driver and probably a bit of a project!

9th March 2022, 08:01	#2
SD1too Doesn't do things by halves Rover 75 2.5 Connoisseur Auto (1999) Dealer launch model. Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Former Middlesex Posts: 20,382 Thanks: 1,587 Thanked 3,749 Times in 3,181 Posts	Hello Andy, When you receive your replacement battery, it's more important to keep it fully charged than removing the negative cable. Invest in a smart charger which you can leave connected at all times (I have a Ctek but there are other options). I'd suggest that you review your listed faults and update us once the new battery is in service. The thump from the dash/heater area may be a noisy fresh/recirculated air flap. I get that occasionally. Simon __________________ "Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble." Sir Henry Royce.

9th March 2022, 20:02	#3
COLVERT This is my second home R75 Saloon. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: France/or Devon. Posts: 14,003 Thanks: 3,851 Thanked 2,167 Times in 1,816 Posts	Andy.--Do a plenum check.--Lots of info in the forum--How-To's on how to do it.

19th July 2023, 17:04	#4
AndyS Regular poster Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: May 2008 Location: Dumbarton Posts: 31 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	The car is still running fine and the Body functions are still not fixed/working. I have kept the plenums clear, but What I am needing to do is to try to identify/trace what is broken or carries faults so that I can systematically resolve these historical issues. It has done quite a lot of miles like this and starts, runs, goes and stops really pretty well.