Strange Electrical Problem

Cyanide

Cyanide

Cyanide

Soldato
Joined
5 Mar 2006
Posts
3,975
Location
Nottingham
Three times in the last 2 weeks my battery has ran out on me. It's a brand new battery, and the alternator is fine (all been tested).

I've noticed something strange though... all of my electrics, excpet the fag lighter and radio, work without the key in the ignition. Windows, sunroof, fans... just about everything. The last 2 times the battery died it was because I'd left the fans on expecting them to turn off with the ignition.

I think it's something to do with a confused/knackered part of the electrics so it always thinks the ignition is on...

Has anyone else had a problem even remotely like this and how can I fix it?
 
Might be a bit similar, well the bit that things were going when the ignition was switched off.

Had a car once that if I kept my foot on the brake I could turn the ignition off, take out the key & the car would continue to run. Was a faulty bulb.

I'm the first to admit I know nothing about cars, nor do I care much for them but thought I'd share that as it's maybe slightly similar. Hope you get sorted though, it could be something very simple.
 
Sputnik II said:
Possibly a faulty ignition switch or a relay. Thats what I'd guess.
Click to expand...

Any way I can test/fix that myself? I've got about 800 miles to do in the next week, and although I've got a backup starter in the boot now I'd rather it were fixed...
 
Sounds like the main relay. Check your manual for location. If it's knackered, when you turn on/off the ignition - it won't click - will prob be warm from being constantly powered also.
 
This kind of problem could be caused by all sorts or things, a failed switch or relay as has already been mentioned or possibly a damaged length of wire, if the problem is irregular it could (very unlikely though) even be a water leak somewhere.

It does sound suspiciously like a problem with the ignition barrel however normally a problem with the ignition barrel would mean that fans, windows etc wouldn’t work because the contacts have worn away, rather than staying on, in my experience at least. It could also be a problem with a relay if all the items have a common relay at some point in the circuit.

Are all the items that you have listed turned on when the key reaches the second notch on the ignition? If they are and the radio and cigarette lighter turn on when the first notch is reached that would definitely point to the ignition barrel or something close to it being the problem

First thing I’d do it get hold of a Haynes manual and find out where the earth points are on your car, then I’d give them a good clean to get rid of any corrosion, this is always the first step I take when dealing with electrical problems. Then I’d try spraying some switch cleaner into the ignition barrel and giving it a good wobble while moving the key about, might not do anything but it’s fixed a few problems like this before.

Unfortunately without knowing which car you have I couldn’t tell you how difficult getting at the ignition barrel will be, chances are if you have a modern car with an airbag it’ll be quite a job as the airbag will probably need to be removed, not something I would recommend that you take on unless you are confident you know what you are doing.
 
well, tbh if you have a multimeter and know how to use it properly you won't need a manual to check the ignition switch. As for the relays, it won't be too hard to work out what they do. A bit of trial and error would usual sort it.
 
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