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YOUR RESEARCH996 Electrical Problems
Reported or suspected cause
+12 lead
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Suspected cause
If you don't have 12v in this second exercise, the problem is the +12 lead to the lighter.
Leading evidence: '+12 lead' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is '+12 lead' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Use multimeter' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Suggestion
see if 12 volts is present at each fuse socket and/or relay socket using a multimeter.
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Suggestion
For this you want to use touch the positive lead of the VOM to the center of the lighter.
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Hi, I am in need of help.
Recently my car has started to develop more and more electrical problems. It started off with the Horn not working. I replaced both horns, new fuses and new relays and it still wont work. When i press the horn you can hear the relay clicking but if you hold it on for more than 2 seconds the fuse will blow.
The cigarette lighter has stopped working (no 12v supply and the lighter doesnt get hot)
The fog lights dont work
All of the fuses are good and all of the relays are new.
I can only assume that all of these problems are linked and I am thinking maybe some sort of earthing issue.
Any ideas?
You mentioned all the fuses are good, change them regardless and see if that makes a difference... fog lights and cig lighter might be the same one.
Abnormal battery power or a wiring issue in the engine compartment fuse box may cause this.... see if 12 volts is present at each fuse socket and/or relay socket using a multimeter.
I would say don't blow your horn for more than 2 seconds but you probably aren't in a mood for joking. So.
The two things you need to solve these issues are a volt-ohm meter (VOM) and a good set of wiring diagrams. It would seem these problems are related but when it comes to electrical problem solving, assume they are not. Let the troubleshooting lead you to a common problem.
In general, the four items to confirm in all your situations will be:
1) you have 12vdc supply
2) you have a good return ground from each load. By good I mean zero ohms or close to it. A corroded connection at the load or at the ground point will cause the resistance to increase and you can have intermittent problems.
3) you don't have a hard short circuit on one of the hot (+) legs
4) you don't have an intermittent short (frayed insulation touching the metal frame for example) on a hot leg
Start by working one issue at a time. Start with the easiest to access; the cigarette lighter.
For this you want to use touch the positive lead of the VOM to the center of the lighter. Touch the negative lead of the VOM to the side of the lighter. This will probably confirm what you already know, you don't have a complete circuit here.
Next, keep the positive of the VOM on the center of the cigarette lighter but this time connect the negative lead to a known ground point under the dash; one that doesn't depend on a return cable. You want to find a bolt or screw that is screwed into the frame. Make sure it's not painted. If you don't have 12v in this second exercise, the problem is the +12 lead to the lighter. If you do have 12v in the second exercise, the problem it the return leg of the lighter.
Post back with what you find and we can walk through the next steps.
What year and model car? Have you done any work to the car lately? That is the first place I would look. If I get some time I will look at the wiring diagram for you.
When the ign switch starts to go bad odd seemingly unrelated electrical anomalies start to happen.
Has the heater fan started to act up yet, is the key hard to turn, does it return to "on" after you start it or do you have to help it?? When you turn the car off is it easy to pull the key out or does it "stick" and you have to wiggle it?
