I love my 406, but I've had electrical issues since I got it. Mainly "Electronic Ignition Fault", which I have discovered can mean "Random electrical fault...".
For a few days she had been refusing to start, today I discovered an iffy fuse that deals with brake, clutch, I strument display and some other things. I changed this and she started.
I went looking at some other fuses as she still occasionally treated me with the immobiliser, I discovered that someone, at some time, replaced the 10 amp fuse for the fuel pump with a 7.5 amp fuse. Thinking I'd solved the mystery, I put a 10 amp fuse in. Turned her on, seemed fine, but then she refused to turn off... This happened repeatedly so I put the (slightly overheated) 7.5 back in.
At one stage I had to change the ignition barrel as a short had got so hot it seized, refused to turn off or let go of my key!
So... I would appreciate help finding this gremlin! Is there somewhere that the ignition and fuel pump cables could be shorting?
W reg, LX HDI, I've had a number of connection replaced or cleaned, the ones under the drivers carpet currently APPEAR functional and dry...
Electrical gremlin
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Lumberjackson
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Re: Electrical gremlin
I'm getting drops in the revs occasionally now, presumably as the inadequate fuse for the fuel pump is slowly melting. So, alternative question: if I use the correct 10amp fuse, could it cause any damage? Could I loose another ignition barrel? Last time the barrel seized, it was an incredibly wet drive and I'm not surprised something shorted.
I also realise these may be impossible to answer questions!
I also realise these may be impossible to answer questions!
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Lumberjackson
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Re: Electrical gremlin
Seems I'm not gonna get any help down that route.
I'm gonna change the plugs under the drivers carpet to straight through connection. Should this fail, where else can I look on the car for failed plugs/wiring?
I'm gonna change the plugs under the drivers carpet to straight through connection. Should this fail, where else can I look on the car for failed plugs/wiring?
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Welly
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Re: Electrical gremlin
I think the reason you've not had any response is that the problem is so unusual, and almost sounds as if the system has been altered in some way in the past. There's nothing within what you've said so far that gives me any confidence in suggesting a possible fix or related issue to check, sorry.
Please keep posting though as I'm sure someone will be able to help further.
By the way, if the multi-plugs under the carpet are clean and sound I wouldn't bother spending too much time on them as, usually, these cause problems with the rear lights, the wipers, windows, locking, dashboard etc.
Please keep posting though as I'm sure someone will be able to help further.
By the way, if the multi-plugs under the carpet are clean and sound I wouldn't bother spending too much time on them as, usually, these cause problems with the rear lights, the wipers, windows, locking, dashboard etc.
Cars in my care:
2021 Kia Spottage 1.6 Pez Turbo Dual Clutch Gearbox Trickery
2013 Renner Twingo - donkey work
2021 Kia Spottage 1.6 Pez Turbo Dual Clutch Gearbox Trickery
2013 Renner Twingo - donkey work
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steve_earwig
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Re: Electrical gremlin
I'm still wondering how replacing a fuse with a bigger fuse results in the car not starting (unless the bigger fuse is no good).
Unskilled meddling sin©e 2007
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Lumberjackson
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Re: Electrical gremlin
It is definitely an odd one, being my car, it had to be 
I do have issues with the drivers window, sometimes it goes down when I tell it to go up! The auto wipers on rare occasion get stuck on a setting and have to be turned off and on to reset.
I wonder if the bsi or some such has been switched in the past. Sometimes when I turn the ignition on, the display says it's (approx) 780,000 past its service, off and on resets this to.
I'm gonna start under the drivers carpet, I know how to get to the plugs now, and this has been a source of problems so far.
The fuse prevents the car from stalling, not starting... I got no sensible explanation.
I'll keep you updated, I'm not giving up yet!
I do have issues with the drivers window, sometimes it goes down when I tell it to go up! The auto wipers on rare occasion get stuck on a setting and have to be turned off and on to reset.
I wonder if the bsi or some such has been switched in the past. Sometimes when I turn the ignition on, the display says it's (approx) 780,000 past its service, off and on resets this to.
I'm gonna start under the drivers carpet, I know how to get to the plugs now, and this has been a source of problems so far.
The fuse prevents the car from stalling, not starting... I got no sensible explanation.
I'll keep you updated, I'm not giving up yet!
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Lumberjackson
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Re: Electrical gremlin
And, thanks for the replies! Knowing that it baffles others is better than knowing nothing 
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Lumberjackson
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Re: Electrical gremlin
I got mixed up about fuses.
1 stops it starting, 1 stops it stalling.
Fuse 3 (under the dash) stops it starting. If I pull it out whilst she's running, it also stalls her. An AA guy told me that some cars won't run if the brake lights are out, which is why I looked it up.
Am I making sense?
1 stops it starting, 1 stops it stalling.
Fuse 3 (under the dash) stops it starting. If I pull it out whilst she's running, it also stalls her. An AA guy told me that some cars won't run if the brake lights are out, which is why I looked it up.
Am I making sense?
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steve_earwig
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Re: Electrical gremlin
Probably er, not. One stops it stalling?
Does fuse 3 actually have any effect on your brake lights? Some of these actually had the fuse panel fitted upside-down!
Does fuse 3 actually have any effect on your brake lights? Some of these actually had the fuse panel fitted upside-down!
Unskilled meddling sin©e 2007
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Lumberjackson
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Re: Electrical gremlin
I'm sure it's fuse 3, I worked it out based on the position of the other fuses, and the brake lights don't work when it's pulled.
The other fuse:
The fuel pump fuse is supposed to be a 10 or 15 amp, mine is currently a 7.5 amp. If I replace it with a 10, the car refuses to turn off - even though I have turned the ignition off and removed the key. The 7.5 amp seems to prevent this
The other fuse:
The fuel pump fuse is supposed to be a 10 or 15 amp, mine is currently a 7.5 amp. If I replace it with a 10, the car refuses to turn off - even though I have turned the ignition off and removed the key. The 7.5 amp seems to prevent this