Indicator Problem. Stuck in Italy.

Indicator Problem. Stuck in Italy.

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tinman0

Original Poster:

18,231 posts

247 months

Wednesday 4th July 2007
quotequote all
Car is a blast, as per normal, but right now i'm stuck at in Ravenna, Italy, getting the Mustang looked at.

This morning, the left hand indicator flashed fast, so thought it was a bulb gone. Checked the car over, and far from a blown indicator, it turns out that the left hand indicators are all stuck on. Even when the ignition is out.

A local Italian Ford dealership have checked the car over and reckon everything fine, so have sent me to the local place that deals with immobilisers.

Yup, the dealership think that the wretched immobiliser i had fitted to the car has caused a break somewhere.

Feck feck feck feck.

If this doesn't work - onto the European Breakdown recovery.

Anyone any better ideas than a break in the wiring somewhere?

benny.c

3,517 posts

214 months

Wednesday 4th July 2007
quotequote all
Could be the dreaded "smart junction box" has blown. £600 for a new one and not something your average auto electrician can sort out.

It can overload and blow if your SVA lighting re-wire or imob fitting was done by just splicing into the existing wiring loom. The SJB is very sensitive to extra load.

Edited by benny.c on Wednesday 4th July 12:57

Twin Turbo

5,544 posts

273 months

Wednesday 4th July 2007
quotequote all
frown

Can't be of any help, but I hope you get it sorted and get home safely.

tinman0

Original Poster:

18,231 posts

247 months

Wednesday 4th July 2007
quotequote all
car is on european breakdown, so worst case scenario is that the car will get shipped back if the SJB has gone. immobiliser was fitted about 2 months ago, so not really expecting any device to blow so long afterwards though. never can tell though.

oh well, i'll keep you all updated.

benny.c

3,517 posts

214 months

Wednesday 4th July 2007
quotequote all
Many SJB problems have only started appearing on cars after a year so don't rule it out. Anyhoo, hope you get sorted out.

tinman0

Original Poster:

18,231 posts

247 months

Wednesday 4th July 2007
quotequote all
quick update.

thanks for the SJB tip. apparently it has gone and the car is now bein shipped back to the UK in an hour or so. it'll take 14 days for it to get back.

the european breakdown people are not happy as they don't cover imports in europe, but they'll cover mine just this once!! yeehar.

the dealer in london is fixing the car under warranty when it gets back.

bit of a sad end to what was going to be 5,000 mile round trip seeing as we only managed 3,500 and the car missed the Swiss bit. i'll post the how far we did get when i get back though wink

we'll be heading to Hertz or Europcar in the next hour or so to complete the journey in something asthmatic.

still love the car, still hate the people who did the immobiliser.

Twin Turbo

5,544 posts

273 months

Wednesday 4th July 2007
quotequote all
Glad to hear you've got to the bottom of it. Just a pity you won't get to complete the trip with the Mustang.

Are there any ways to check the state of the SJB prior to purchase? Or is it simply a matter of waiting for electrical gremlins? I'm sure this isn't the first time I've heard of a similar problem with SVA light work appearing to be the cause.

steve.c

11,429 posts

216 months

Wednesday 4th July 2007
quotequote all
thats just bad luck, however you need to make sure what ever caused the sjb to fail is corrected so it doesnt happen again,it could be either the immobiliser or the after market wiring,although i am wondering why you had an after market immobiliser fitted,was the factory job not good enough?

tinman0

Original Poster:

18,231 posts

247 months

Thursday 5th July 2007
quotequote all
MsT is a yank, and the only insurance company that would cover a yank drivers license was Directline. Directline require an immobiliser on the vehicle and will not recognise the standard Ford install. You can still drive the vehicle with cover without it, but they won't cover the car for theft, which is not ideal on a £20k car.

I'm really not happy with the immobiliser as it stands, so when renewal time comes, I will start searching around again. Nothing would give more pleasure than having the wretched 3rd party immobiliser removed.

The more yesterday wore on the more disappointed I've become. I was so looking forward to having 3 days in the Alps with the Mustang. Its not the car's fault though.

Replacement is a new Bravo, which under normal circumstances I'd be looking forward to drive (I have a soft spot for Fiats), but a diesel Bravo round the Alps doesn't really inspire me much.