Lude Generation

Fast approaching the end of my tether with this electrical fault which is basically the only thing standing between me and an MOT and some driving enjoyment!

Been checking the grounds as I assumed the symptoms were a dodgy earth. However I'm now starting to wonder about relays or the switch unit itself. Any ideas of what to try next are much appreciated. Problem is being compounded by a duff battery sold to me as new last weekend which had 3V and won't start the car unless its been on charge a few hours. Here are some of the lighting symptoms:

Passenger side lights all seem to function fine apart from full beam doesn't come on.
Drivers side dipped beam won't work.
Drivers indicator on dim some of the time with rapid flashing when stalk clicked down.
Font Fog lights come on even when the switch isn't on.
Drivers side light behaves like an indicator rapidly flashing.
Dashboard right indicator light dimly lit when dipped beam is selected.

Also dashboard seems to flicker and alarm is behaving strangely but I think that is to do with the dodgy battery as when fully charged these seem to go away.

Fire away, getting desperate for ideas now!

Battery is definitely a prime starting point, I'd get that sorted before going any further personally.

Then possibly the alternator isn't putting out smooth DC? (Knackered battery would compound that)

Earths would have been my next choice as well, so I'd say you've definitely be looking in the right direction.


How many of those things go through the ICU?
Water/damp in the fuse boxes?

I've got the same kind of issue. When I indicate left its fine but when i indicate right it goes mental! I assumed it was the flasher relay. I've had the same kind of issue on a past car and can only assume that's what's wrong with mine, possibly the same as one of the problems you've got?

are all your indicators working when you indicate right?

I would start with a new battery and see what happens. 3 volts is ridiculous! Can you sling it back at whoever sold you it?

paul bristol uk wrote: Can you sling it back at whoever sold you it?

Literaly!!!

kris_aka_edu wrote:I've got the same kind of issue. When I indicate left its fine but when i indicate right it goes mental!

Bulb out on one of the right hand side indicators or side repeater.

Things get odd if you mess up the pos/neg on the high beam wiring - you end up sending power down a shared earth, and earthing things that should be working.

Check the plugs on the headlights, and check your fuses too!

Thanks for all the replies.
I agree I can't really work out where I stand until the battery is sorted as its throwing a load of other variables into the mix.
I shall be slinging the battery back over the euro car parts counter on Friday afternoon and demanding a brand new upgraded replacement. I think one of the cells must have gone on the one I have as its holding voltage but I don't think the amperage is there.

Are there separate relays for each side, I.e because passenger side works does that mean the relay is ok?
Have checked all fuses as a first port of call and all ok.
Car was previously dismantled on the interior to some extent for the PPC £999 challenge but otherwise has been stood for almost two years as I was let down by someone big style.

It's just so frustrating! Don't know how many times I can come home from work and spend hours messing with wiring. If it is an earth thing I'm tempted to just wire a new one in!

like they have already said it may be the headlight wiring the plugs sometimes go west