Help... 95 S4 robs.. turn signals, wipers, horn!!
Discussion
First off, hello everyone. I've recently purchased my second Esprit (first was an 89.5 SE, now I'm like a 5 yo on Christmas!)
Anyway, let me start with my problems and see if any of you can make any sense of it (or have a wiring diagram that can help?)
1. Turn signals do not work. When pushed in either directions, nothing happens (not even an interior click) (however, bright flasher on the stalk does work)
2. Windshield wipers do not work in any position
3. ABS light is on, Check engine light is on
4. Horn does not work
5. A/C blows cold, but when the heat is turned on, nothing happens, it just keeps blowing cold.
Thanks for all your help guys, I can't wait to get this thing roadworthy!!
Rob
Anyway, let me start with my problems and see if any of you can make any sense of it (or have a wiring diagram that can help?)
1. Turn signals do not work. When pushed in either directions, nothing happens (not even an interior click) (however, bright flasher on the stalk does work)
2. Windshield wipers do not work in any position
3. ABS light is on, Check engine light is on
4. Horn does not work
5. A/C blows cold, but when the heat is turned on, nothing happens, it just keeps blowing cold.
Thanks for all your help guys, I can't wait to get this thing roadworthy!!
Rob
Thanks for the help, I've checked every fuse and relay on the car (i think), found three seperate sets and checked everything!
Does anyone know where you can purchase a .pdf version of the service manual? I'm pretty proficient as a mechanic (at least a bit), and if I know where the wires are going.. I tested the wiper switch and I know it works... It's gotten too dark to work tonight on the car (and cold), so I'll try to research all night and tackle it tomorrow.
Any other help would be greatly appreciated..
BTW- I found one, four-plug connector (female end) in the rear of the hatch area above the batter coming from the main wire loom. It's got a seal around it but I can't find where it goes. I don't think this could cause so many problems, but if it strikes any thoughts..
Rob
Does anyone know where you can purchase a .pdf version of the service manual? I'm pretty proficient as a mechanic (at least a bit), and if I know where the wires are going.. I tested the wiper switch and I know it works... It's gotten too dark to work tonight on the car (and cold), so I'll try to research all night and tackle it tomorrow.
Any other help would be greatly appreciated..
BTW- I found one, four-plug connector (female end) in the rear of the hatch area above the batter coming from the main wire loom. It's got a seal around it but I can't find where it goes. I don't think this could cause so many problems, but if it strikes any thoughts..
Rob
Make sure you check the fuses with an ohm meter. If there's a hairline fracture in the fuse, you may not see it...it happens.
Also, given that these cars have a nonconductive body, they have ground straps all over the place. Maybe there is a ground strap that is common to those functions that came off.
On the subject of heat, I doubt that it's related to the electrical problems. Make sure the A/C, defrost, heater knob is pointint to 11:00, the temperature knob is turned to hot, and close off all of the dash vents. I would think that the 89.5 is the same way, but heat only comes out into the footwells.
Bill
'95 S4S
Also, given that these cars have a nonconductive body, they have ground straps all over the place. Maybe there is a ground strap that is common to those functions that came off.
On the subject of heat, I doubt that it's related to the electrical problems. Make sure the A/C, defrost, heater knob is pointint to 11:00, the temperature knob is turned to hot, and close off all of the dash vents. I would think that the 89.5 is the same way, but heat only comes out into the footwells.
Bill
'95 S4S
oh... scrap the heat thing then. I've got a 95 s4, so I'm positive that that's the problem. I tested the fuses with an ohm meter. What a great tool, a tap and a reassuring "beep".
I'm going to check all the ground strips tomorrow, what a very fun job. That might explain the wierd boost gauge activity and the fuel gauge bounce as well.
Thanks for the advice, now I'm almost considering braving the cold to fix it!
Rob
I'm going to check all the ground strips tomorrow, what a very fun job. That might explain the wierd boost gauge activity and the fuel gauge bounce as well.
Thanks for the advice, now I'm almost considering braving the cold to fix it!
Rob
rjjuge said:
Now the headlights won't turn off! They stay down when off, but the low beam stays on! AHH!!
Any ideas for common grounding points? I can't really find any..
I'd look through my schematics, but they're with the car at the mechanic's at the moment (trying to pass emissions). I seem to recall there being a page in the service manual showing the ground straps...maybe someone else here can help?
good luck!
Bill
'95 S4S (soon to pass emissions, I hope!)
All the probs are related to the same thing save for the heater.
Under the dash in the drivers side (euro spec car) there is a connector plug that has all the wires going through for most of the car's functions. If that is on the way out, you will experience all the problems you are describing as the wiring for the control of all of them goes through there.
I just dealt with this a few weeks ago.
Unless you find replacement plug quickly (they seem to be rather rare) you can bypass the plug just by soldering each wire individually - pain in the butt job and obviously not a long term solution.
All the symptoms that you describe happened to me and the next one that you will have is that the engine won't even start anymore.
The plug above the battery is so you can connect the Tech1 to it. Just like the plug under the passenger side dash.
The heater only works if it is in the demister position (windscreen). That is how it should be in all Esprits (Steven's). That is how I found it to be and how it is described in the owners manual too.
Under the dash in the drivers side (euro spec car) there is a connector plug that has all the wires going through for most of the car's functions. If that is on the way out, you will experience all the problems you are describing as the wiring for the control of all of them goes through there.
I just dealt with this a few weeks ago.
Unless you find replacement plug quickly (they seem to be rather rare) you can bypass the plug just by soldering each wire individually - pain in the butt job and obviously not a long term solution.
All the symptoms that you describe happened to me and the next one that you will have is that the engine won't even start anymore.
The plug above the battery is so you can connect the Tech1 to it. Just like the plug under the passenger side dash.
The heater only works if it is in the demister position (windscreen). That is how it should be in all Esprits (Steven's). That is how I found it to be and how it is described in the owners manual too.
Wow. That sounds like it'll solve all my problems. Do you know where this connector would be on a US car? I'm assuming on the left side? Any help as to what it looks like or what to look for? Is it just a regular plug in connector? I'm quite proficient witha soldering iron and cold knock it ou rather quickly until I can order a plug. What does it normally travel alongside on a euro car (any wire colors?)
Thanks SO MUCH!
Thanks SO MUCH!
The wires run to the fuse box too (in the front compartment). If you take out the panel of the small fuse box, and pull onto the wires that will lead you to it that way as well, but obviously you can't work on it from there.
It's like a 'multi plug' with female and male sides.
Yes, my horn stopped working too. If I would wriggle the wires it would work intermitently.
It's like a 'multi plug' with female and male sides.
Yes, my horn stopped working too. If I would wriggle the wires it would work intermitently.
Here's the update..
All grounds checked, clean tight, and okay. The terminals where the column attaches to the harness are all fine (tested with an ohm meter on both sides and have good connections). All fuses and relays again checked and appear to be working (hooked to a pos. and neg. of the battery and heard it click)
One final bit of info that may help. There are four or five fuses in the bottom area of the front spare tire area. It seems to me like someone may have been blowing fuses with something connected, not have been able to fix it ( I assume a short somewhere, that if I knew where it was coming from I could fix..)
Any ideas on what one lazt owner may have unplugged to disable the horn, wipers, and turns (the horn does work if hooked directly to +12v) in order to not blow fuses? If I could hook that back up, I could locate the short.
Finally, does anyone have a diagram of the front fuse/realy box as to what is what? (I've got the LHD "revised" box with fuses on only one side).
Thanks.
Hope everyone had a merry christmas.... i didn't.
All grounds checked, clean tight, and okay. The terminals where the column attaches to the harness are all fine (tested with an ohm meter on both sides and have good connections). All fuses and relays again checked and appear to be working (hooked to a pos. and neg. of the battery and heard it click)
One final bit of info that may help. There are four or five fuses in the bottom area of the front spare tire area. It seems to me like someone may have been blowing fuses with something connected, not have been able to fix it ( I assume a short somewhere, that if I knew where it was coming from I could fix..)
Any ideas on what one lazt owner may have unplugged to disable the horn, wipers, and turns (the horn does work if hooked directly to +12v) in order to not blow fuses? If I could hook that back up, I could locate the short.
Finally, does anyone have a diagram of the front fuse/realy box as to what is what? (I've got the LHD "revised" box with fuses on only one side).
Thanks.
Hope everyone had a merry christmas.... i didn't.
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