As some of you may know my car cut out a couple of weeks ago (under braking) and wouldnt start again. The ignition was completley dead.

I had somebody try and get it going and he bypassed the Clifford Blackjaxx (think he bridged some wires over).

Ran fine for a few hours then cut out again with
the same problem (dead ign). AA had a look and it had popped a 50a maxi fuse under the bonnet (SBF 3 or 4). Changed the fuse and it got going again. I though it might cut out again on the was home as the ABS light flickered on and off once.

Now it keeps blowing one of the interior fuses (15a windows/dash/indicators). Still runs though (with no elec windows/dash or indicators).

I have wired the Blackjax back in (was a little fried inside, but solder it back to ok), but the problem of blowing the interior fuse is still there.

Any ideas? I can't help but think its all related as its never had any problems like this in 70k+ miles that I have had it.

 

Have you checked the main earth connection points to the body/block etc..?

Does sound as though there's a common fault and earthing issues are usually the main cause of these strange, intermittent faults, especially with older cars.

Why is your Blackjax a little fried BTW..? That in itself doesn't sound good..!

 

Not sure why Blackjax fried....I have soldered it back now though...was a bit of copper burnt out.

I will check the earth points but I've got a feeling I am going to have to give up and hand it over to an auto electrician.

Bob

 

The fuse that keeps blowing (interior fusebox - for elect windows/dash/indicators) also seems to stops the battery from charging (alternator?).

I have taken the Blackjax out and removed the brake switch, as it seems to blow the fuse under braking. Have only done a few miles with the brake switch out but seems to be okay. Will try a few more miles with it off tomorrow.

If it turns out to be okay with the brake switch off, how do I go about finding the problem on the brake electrics?

 

Ok. Have now eliminated the brakes and ABS, as the fuse still went while both the brake switch was disconnected and the ABS fuse pulled out. Lasted longer but once the fuse went once I kept on going (3 time in as many miles).

The fuse that is popping is interior fusebox - for elect windows/dash/indicators and the same fuse also appears to be for the alternator?

The fuse blows without the windows or indicators being in use, so I guess that leaves the dashboard and the alternator?

Also, the dash covers are off under the steering wheel along with the metal bracket to allow quick access (surely the metal bracket isn't used to earth?).

Any tips for setting about trying to eliminate the dash and alternator?

 

I had the same problem with my legacy work car and it was a relay just above the interior fuse box it had burnt out. there are 3 in a row actually part of the fusebox I don't know which relay it was but it was definatly one of the 3. changed that relay and it's fine now

 

Was it the same fuse blowing?

MY99 Impreza doesnt have relays in interior fusebox.

How did you figure one of them had gone?


Cheers,

Bob

 

Had a search and looks like the relays may be tucked away above the interior fusebox.

How do you go about checking them?

 

Have located two relays attached to the back of the interior fusebox. Both identical to one another.

Anybody know what each of these is for?

 

The way I found one was duff was taking the black top off and looking for a fault the contacts were pitted and burnt on mine was just a bit of luck that I found it took me about 3 hours to find the fault

 

Took the two relays apart and they look fine.

Car is not driveable at the mo until its fixed