Strange Electrical Fault-Temp Gauge

[Trjegul]

Hi folks,

I have had a mason alarm (with no issues) fitted to Trjegul for the last 3 years and have just started to encounter a strange problem. I was driving along my usual to work route and the gauge kept climbing up to the red so I hobbled in to work and at standstill with the heater on it dropped a little. Then I noticed that if I operated the electric window, the guage dropped suddenly, ditto with the headlight switch, and IIRC the wipers I have no coolant loss so I'm sure its electrical. My "roof going up" light has been flashing for the last 6 months, but I have just let this stand as I read on here that its a common problem and should not have any bad effect.

Has anyone ever had a similar problem or any ideas on what it could be and how to resolve it? The mason-modded gauge has been a boon to me- saved my bacon when I had a hose go, so I want to get back to where I was before this! I am a complete non-expert on matters electrical btw!

Many thanks in advance

Zin

[g8dhe]

If you have a meter I would start by checking the state of your battery, if that isn't low then it sounds like you have a high resistance somewhere in the wiring affecting the meter etc. It doesn't sound promising that the AFT light is flashing either, I'm not aware that that is a common problem at all ? Its controlled by the AFT module at the rear offside directly to the indicator lamp and suggests that the roof hasn't locked down or at least the limit switch has not operated, but you should also be hearing the alarm buzzers both of them the one in the AFT module and the Bongo sound warning module down by the drivers feet - although some people disconnect that.... Do you hear the alarm bleepers whilst raising/lowering the roof ?

[helen&tony]

Hi
Mistress of the cats...
The disruptive powers of Hagalaz are at work here.
Is it possible that you have an earthing problem somewhere?...clean up the earth strap an batter connections
Cheers
Helen

[Northern Bongolow]

i would go along those lines too helen. the mason has a really good but not designed feature, it seems to go wacky when it senses some electrical faults. i would suggest you start round the dash area, batteries,alternator, engine and gearbox earth straps etc.

[jaylee]

Something similar, but in reverse.... http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... +detective

[Trjegul]

Thank you SO much guys. I was thinking of a battery problem and earthing issues sounds possible too. I havent tried the roof since the light started blinking, so there is plenty for me to try out! There is a battery supplier just 2 miles down the road (I have seen the thread on here for the best battery, so know how to go)- my battery is definitely a Japanese original so is at least 3 years old- most likely more.

Helen: You clearly know your Runes! Wassail! (or more properly : Waes Hael) Trjegul has her name in Runic on the bonnet, plus a rather large cat decal.

I feel a lot better for all the advice, and will get working and report back!

Thankyou
Zin

[jaylee]

These vehicles do weird stuff if the battery is on the fritz... When you get the replacement, make sure both the terminals are clean, good & tight.. & check the earth strap to the inner wing connection too!

[Trjegul]

These vehicles do weird stuff if the battery is on the fritz... When you get the replacement, make sure both the terminals are clean, good & tight.. & check the earth strap to the inner wing connection too!

Hi Jaylee- whereabouts would I find that? Electrics aren't my forte, I'm afraid!

Cheers

Zin

[jaylee]

As you look at the starter battery on the driver side, (I'm assuming yours is diesel.) you will see two thick (yellow & black?) wires crimped to the negative terminal on the battery.. One will run off behind the battery over the wheel arch to inner wing, near/behind where a bank of relays are bolted just under the thick main loom runs out of the bulkhead below the drivers A pillar.. I hope your with me..!?

Just remove the bolted on terminal connector, clean up with a bit of fine grade wet & dry.. Do the surface area it bolts to too!

[Trjegul]

Excellent! Thank you- I know exactly where it is now. A fresh battery will do no harm, and I'll check/clean up the earthing points when I do it. Interestingly, when I wiggle the drivers side electric window switch, the gauge drops! Having had a burst pipe once, I am mildly paranoid about overheating issues.

Thanks for all the advice on this- it has given me a bit of peace of mind too

[jaylee]

I found my gauge rose with stuff on charge, like my mates phone.. & then a slow pip pip peep with the AC fan on or when operating the window.... But if yer battery is close to it's end too, it may only be a short time before you get starting problems..?!

When you do get yer battery, check the alternator is charging it OK too..!?

[Trjegul]

Well, got a new battery from Euro Car Parts and fitted it. The earth strap was a bit mucky so all cleaned off and wet and dry'd. I haven't had a chance to take her for a run yet, but one of the glitches (which I neglected to mention before ) is still happening. There is an audible "clunk, click" or "tock tick" sound emanating from near the battery/small fuse box by the battery. It is regular and only started happening this week after the temp gauge issue. Has anyone experienced this sort of noise- it happens on tickover when stationery or driving?
I had a look at the fuses in that box, made sure they were seated fine. They all had a strip of green across the top of them- aside from the main 100A one which looked like bright copper- I'm probably following completely the wrong line here, but just not familiar with these types of fuse and its unlikely to be anything to do with this!

Again, any help/advice most welvcome, guys!

[jaylee]

Sounds like it could more likely be a relay switching to me, with the "clunk, click" or "tock tick" sound...?

Glow plug relay maybe...??

[helen&tony]

Hi Zin
It looks like you're having more joy riding Sleipnir
Cheers
Helen

[Trjegul]

Hmm, original problem still there although, after reading up on the glow plug relay, it sounds like it is working as it should. The gauge rises faster than it should and keeps going, but it drops down if the window/front lights are operated. Wonder if I didn't get enough grot off the surface area that the earth tacks on to-its a swine to get to and looks very dark where the connector makes contact? If not, I'm guessing it could be another earthing connection, but have no idea where they all "live"- particularly the engine and gearbox ones.