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MG MGF Technical - Indicator & instrument fuse blowing

My no 1 fuse - instrument and indicators keeps on blowing - It went once and then it went again after it was replaced. The power steering has also stopped working, leading to heavy steering at low speed. I guess the PS has gone into safe mode, but any suggestions about the fuse blowing? Or should I just drop it off at the dealer tomorrow? Got to drive the car back to Dudley this weekend for a service at the MGF centre so could do with my indicators :o(

Andy
R727 FOB
Andy

Hello Andy,

I think the EPAS save mode could be a result from missing speedo signal getting out normally from the instrument.

So what shortcut blows fuse one ?
Err, could be nearly each and everything
http://www.mgfcar.de/schedules/sb29.jpg

Worn wires get in my mind, but where...
Anyone ?

Dieter
Dieter K.

Hi Dieter,

elsewhere on your site it mentions thatfuse 1 feeds the EPAS ECU, hence the safe mode. The rev counter has gone also, as well as the instrument lights and temp gague.

I've had a look through the archives. In particular there's quite a few mentions about the wireing loom behind the radio - As I changed my radio a few weeks ago this may be the problem. I'll try taking it out and see if I can at least run without it blowing again.

Cheers
Andy
Andy

Sounds reasonable. See as well the big loom when you remove the both footwell triangles. This was case of a recall for newer cars. Might be worth to check whether the wires touch sharp metal borders anywhere. http://www.mgfcar.de/data/recall_reason_2409.jpg
Just another option.

Good luck
:o)
Dieter K.

Taken the radio out. Can't see any obvious damage to any wiring that's left. Can see though how much scope there is for wires to press up against the pilars behind though. Managed to drive to work ok on a new fuse with the radio out and all wires in clear space so I'll see how it goes over the weekend.

Also bust my f******ng indicator light tab <sigh> as I tried to get the lights out to see if they were all ok. Jeez I thought I knew how to take them out properly ;o(. Now held on with some tape until I can get a new one I guess. MGF centre's gonna love me next week as I go in with my battered and bruised F lol.

Andy

Andy

Andy,

as Dieter says, No 1 fuse supplies lots of things namely

Seat Belt Buckle Switch
Hazard Warning Switch
Multi Function Unit
EPAS Control Unit
Instrument Pack
Catalyst Overheat Warning Light
Cigar Lighter Relay

I would make a simple tester from a brake light bulb and wire it to a blown fuse so that you can insert it in place of the Fuse No1. Turn on the ignition and the bulb should glow fairly brightly. Then wiggle the wiring loom about in different areas watching to see if the bulb suddenly glows brighter. If it does then you've found the short!

Good luck

Bruce
Bruce Caldwell

Thanks for that Bruce!

Blown another two fuses tonight and I'm going to have to start canibalising the ZR to get some more until I can get to Halfords!

The hazards still work - they're on 12 I think.

Hey I just thought - I've been running around with a mobile phone charger in the ciggie lighter socket, but no phone on it - Wonder if that might be defective?

I'll try taking it out tomorrow. Another thing I noticed was a bit of a smell like something was getting hot, before the fuse went again. Also wiggling the wires in the radio bay, the alarm indictor light was slightly flickering at times, so maybe some clues.

More investigation tomorrow!

Cheers
Andy
Andy

Well, managed to get down to Dudley, three more fuses blown. Worst bit was the realisation after doing 400 miles on one tank that the fuel guage hadn't moved and it dawned on me that this had to be on the same fuse! I suddenly realised that I wasn't getting miracle fuel consumption. 9 long miles later I got to the next services and put 52.5 litres into a 50 litre tank!!

I've given up trying to find the problem and dropped her off at The MGF Centre to get them to sort it.

Anyone suggest any uses for 10 blown fuses?


Cheers
Andy
A Bates

Andy,

Please let us know what the outcome is.

Bruce
Bruce Caldwell

Victoria rang yesterday and, yes, it was a problem in the wiring behind the radio.

Cheers!
Andy
Andy

Thanks Andy. Glad to hear that it's fixed.

Bruce
Bruce Caldwell

This thread was discussed between 20/03/2003 and 28/03/2003

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