Help! Weird electrical (post flat battery?)

5466 Views 6 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Colm, Apr 8, 2020

activecampers

Discussion Starter · Apr 4, 2016

I am converting UK NV200 to a campervan, but have not (really) touched the van electrics.

I've installed a tow bar using a dedicated electrics kit which though tested OK may have had a fault. This is now disconnected - issue remains.

Battery was flat, so I jumped it.

On engine start, engine fan is on and headlights are on. Tail lamps are off, though indicating works. Brake warning light is on. Window wipers don't work.

Any ideas?!

Save

1 - 7 of 7 Posts

activecampers

Discussion Starter · #2 · Apr 4, 2016

Update:
All fuses I can find (cab & 2 areas in engine bay) are fine.

What works:-
Interior fan, indicators, dash lights (when lights on), reverse cam, radio, elec mirrors, central locking, rear wash wipe, front wash

What is weird:-
Engine fan starts on ignition on
Headlights on with ignition on (headlights only, not tail lights)
Brake warning light on dash

What doesn't work
Tail lights
Rear screen heater
front wipe

Engine appears to run ok, but as wipers and tail lights don't work - can't drive it.

What electrical work I've touched:-
- Rear heater, disconnected and reconnected the cables
- Played with rear camera wires to put in 2nd feed (zero chance of this being at fault, my wiring is disconnected (new camera is switched in/out)
- Connected dedicated wiring for the trailer and tested the trailer board a few days ago. Not started engine since connecting this, so MAYBE this caused an issue (trailer board tested fine with engine off). I have disconnected the trailer loom for testing purposes
- I have removed the rear interior light just disconnected and made cable safe (I have connected again just in case).

Other info:
- Battery was flat, but this could be me leaving a door open as we've been in and out lots. Bit surprised if this is the case.
- I've lined the rear doors but not touched any electronics there.

Any suggestions welcome!

See less See more

Save

activecampers

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 4, 2016

Actually, thinking about it, its unlikely to be the towbar trailer wiring, as all that tested fine with the ignition on - OK we didn't start the engine, but the fan didn't run which it is doing now with ignition just on. So this weird going on was definitely not present when we tested the trailer.

Save

activecampers

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 4, 2016

.......think I've fixed it.

The battery was "flat" and it reset 1/2 the computers (trip distance etc) but not the radio. So think one ECU was out of sync with another

Disconnected battery for 5 mins to reset them all, reconnected, and hey presto everything back to normal.

Weird. Very weird.

Save

klovatt59

· #5 · Jun 16, 2019

Thanks, I’ll try that tomorrow, same thing happened to me, 16 plate nv200

Save

sailho

· #6 · Jul 23, 2019

had mine in gearbox center they had battery off for a few days came back and wouldnt acalarate propely. after 10 days it sorted its self out likley ecu lost menory

modern cars and electronic bus systems

Save

Colm

· #7 · Apr 8, 2020

activecampers said:
.......think I've fixed it.

The battery was "flat" and it reset 1/2 the computers (trip distance etc) but not the radio. So think one ECU was out of sync with another

Disconnected battery for 5 mins to reset them all, reconnected, and hey presto everything back to normal.

Weird. Very weird.

Thank you, Thank you and Thank you again 😃😃😃. This started off as one passenger tail lamp not working and had left the lights on when testing the lamps, however i forgot to turn them off and the battery went flat. Got a jump start and then noticed all the issues that you had and checked everything until fortunately I came accross your post and done exactly what you done, disconnected battery for 5 minutes and wala back to normal. You saved me propable an expensive trip to the garage and it may have taken a while unter the current circumstances. Thanks again.

Save

1 - 7 of 7 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month