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- Nov 17, 2004
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Hi everyone
I've got a MK2 Golf 1.3 standard and I've got a few electrical problems with it. I'll try my best to give as much info on each problem below:
1. Left indicator stops blinking when the brake pedal is pressed. Before I thought this was a problem with not enough power running through my alternator and giving extra gas would make it start blinking again (but that could just be because my foot may have slightly raised from the brake pedal - not too sure). I've looked for signs of corrosion on the front left and side repeater but it all seems fine. I cannot access the boot one because it's a custom build and they've sealed off the boot, but it looks fresh from the outside and looks like a sealed unit that water cannot get into. Could there be a bad earth along the way? There is a hint in the next point that may I think is linked to this point.
2. Now my front right indicator has stopped working. I thought it was a bad bulb but when I checked it out, it was fine. I had the right indicator on and took out the front left indicator bulb to test it out int he front right. As I took it out and laid the holder to rest, the right indicator started working all of a sudden. I don't know what I did, but I cannot replicate that again. I'm thinking that there is a problem with the front left holder or something behind the front of the car. I took the bulb out of the front left and right and sprayed the inside with contact cleaner spray, they are both clean.
3. Not a major issue, but when I press the wiper lever forward to star the rear wiper, it moves to one side, but doesn't come back. I think when I used to give extra gas, it would come back. I think there is a problem with the relay as I have heard some clicking in the past which isn't normal but haven't heard it lately.
4. I think that there is definitely a short circuit somewhere because my car battery always seems to drain after a week. I took the battery out and charged it for about 18 hours and even kept the ICE system positive wire (0 gauge wire) disconnected, but it went flat within a few days! It's a hit and miss so I cannot really say that it's guaranteed to alst a week. Sometimes it lasts more without me turning the car on and sometimes it can go within a few days. What's the best way to test this? I know I can connect an indicator bulb between the earth wire and the negative pole of the battery and remove each fuse. Can anyone advise me what's the best multimeter to buy, where's the best and cheapest place to get it from and how I should use it.
The car has been modified where the boot is sealed off to allow a middle compartment to rise up and down and the carpet is glued in and there is leather around the car. I would prefer to hopefully avoid opening those things up but if it means that's the best and only way to solve my problems, then so be it.
Any help would be much appreciated. I have a picture showing the earth clamps which I shall attach to this post.
I want to sort this out myself rather than pay an electrician stupid amounts of money. Of course if you think that I should not mess with my electrics, then just tell me that I'm better off going to a professional
Kind Regards
p.s. Pic of earth points is attached
I've got a MK2 Golf 1.3 standard and I've got a few electrical problems with it. I'll try my best to give as much info on each problem below:
1. Left indicator stops blinking when the brake pedal is pressed. Before I thought this was a problem with not enough power running through my alternator and giving extra gas would make it start blinking again (but that could just be because my foot may have slightly raised from the brake pedal - not too sure). I've looked for signs of corrosion on the front left and side repeater but it all seems fine. I cannot access the boot one because it's a custom build and they've sealed off the boot, but it looks fresh from the outside and looks like a sealed unit that water cannot get into. Could there be a bad earth along the way? There is a hint in the next point that may I think is linked to this point.
2. Now my front right indicator has stopped working. I thought it was a bad bulb but when I checked it out, it was fine. I had the right indicator on and took out the front left indicator bulb to test it out int he front right. As I took it out and laid the holder to rest, the right indicator started working all of a sudden. I don't know what I did, but I cannot replicate that again. I'm thinking that there is a problem with the front left holder or something behind the front of the car. I took the bulb out of the front left and right and sprayed the inside with contact cleaner spray, they are both clean.
3. Not a major issue, but when I press the wiper lever forward to star the rear wiper, it moves to one side, but doesn't come back. I think when I used to give extra gas, it would come back. I think there is a problem with the relay as I have heard some clicking in the past which isn't normal but haven't heard it lately.
4. I think that there is definitely a short circuit somewhere because my car battery always seems to drain after a week. I took the battery out and charged it for about 18 hours and even kept the ICE system positive wire (0 gauge wire) disconnected, but it went flat within a few days! It's a hit and miss so I cannot really say that it's guaranteed to alst a week. Sometimes it lasts more without me turning the car on and sometimes it can go within a few days. What's the best way to test this? I know I can connect an indicator bulb between the earth wire and the negative pole of the battery and remove each fuse. Can anyone advise me what's the best multimeter to buy, where's the best and cheapest place to get it from and how I should use it.
The car has been modified where the boot is sealed off to allow a middle compartment to rise up and down and the carpet is glued in and there is leather around the car. I would prefer to hopefully avoid opening those things up but if it means that's the best and only way to solve my problems, then so be it.
Any help would be much appreciated. I have a picture showing the earth clamps which I shall attach to this post.
I want to sort this out myself rather than pay an electrician stupid amounts of money. Of course if you think that I should not mess with my electrics, then just tell me that I'm better off going to a professional
Kind Regards
p.s. Pic of earth points is attached