Any Auto Electricians On Here?

[Blownupdolly]

Can you believe it? 2 weeks before christmas. Money tight (got 7 grandchildren to buy for)
and my car has died!!
I had to go pick OH up at the station at night. It was freezing. Stupidly, i just put my coat on over my nightie as its a 2 min journey. Started up fine drove off up the hill. Onto the main road and suddenly for no reason at all the bloody thing cuts out on me in the middle of the road and wouldnt restart.
AA man eventually turns up. I did laugh to myself later as both him and OH had to help get me in the AA truck because of my spinal problems. It was no mean feat!!! And the thought of this bloke seeing me in my nightie and bootie slippers on in the street made me giggle
Anyway... he reckons there is an electrical fault because a fuse under the bonnet near where the battery is has blown but we dont know what it relates to. There are no numbers or letters on it just plain green colour. He said it was a slow blow 40 amp fuse.
The car is a Nissan Primera 2.2 diesel.
I just can't afford to take to the robbing gits at my local Nissan dealer. They have already ripped me off once before so i refuse to go there again. I don't know what to do now as i am housebound without it as i need the wheelchair to get about.
HELP!! anyone?

[Blownupdolly]

Sorry, i forgot to add that OH has replaced the fuse but no joy.
I just need some idea of what it could be so i can get some idea of the cost to get it fixed

[Todd]

If you are with the AA can you not just call them out again?

Could start asking you questions here but honestly the easiest way, get the AA back out.

[maccafan]

A 40 amp fuse blowing indicates a major short somewhere..

Better to get it diagnosed by a professional with the right equipment.

[Blownupdolly]

Well i would, but the last 3 times i have used them (not with this car another one) i have been told they don't do diagnostics they just recover the car if they can't start it. Ridiculous i think. I remember years ago they would always try to get to the bottom of the problem. Now, all they seem to want to do is get your car either home or to a garage. Even this guy the other night just said he got no idea what the problem is, all he could do was take it home #icon_hopeless#

[Todd]

As maccafan said, unless you know your way round motors, get it to a recommended garage, which doesn't have to be the dealer

[Blownupdolly]

Dec 5, 2012 12:37:59 GMT maccafan said:

A 40 amp fuse blowing indicates a major short somewhere..

Better to get it diagnosed by a professional with the right equipment.

OK. Thanks for that. I guess i will need to get a mobile auto spark to come out.
There had been daft warning stuff coming up on the dashboard lately. One about my airbag which is fine as far as i am aware! Also the reversing camera had stopped working a while back. I don't think it is related to this though

[maccafan]

Wiring faults are very hard to diagnose unfortunately..

If it is the ignition fuse that's blown and it is diesel one possible cause is one of your glow plugs ishas a direct short..For a quick and easy check ask whoever is helping you to check the glow plugs. But it could be a multitude of reasons and it's very hard to diagnose in a forum.

You must have mobile mechanics in your area..I would just ring around or look up yellow pages and get a qualified bloke in. Also look in :

www.goodgaragescheme.co.uk/

You may find local garages who are willing to pick your car up and drop it back off..

[Blownupdolly]

Dec 5, 2012 12:48:48 GMT maccafan said:

Wiring faults are very hard to diagnose unfortunately..

If it is the ignition fuse that's blown and it is diesel one possible cause is one of your glow plugs ishas a direct short..For a quick and easy check ask whoever is helping you to check the glow plugs. But it could be a multitude of reasons and it's very hard to diagnose in a forum.

You must have mobile mechanics in your area..I would just ring around or look up yellow pages and get a qualified bloke in. Also look in :

www.goodgaragescheme.co.uk/

You may find local garages who are willing to pick your car up and drop it back off..

Thank you very much for the web link. I was trying to find somewhere like that last night. It is such a minefield trying to find a decent honest garage. We haven't lived here that long so don't have a clue. I just told OH what you said about glow plugs. He said he did have a look at them and they appeared fine. But, who knows.
Will just have to take the chance i guess. Can't leave it on the driveway much longer. I am starting to feel trapped in my own home!!

Thanks again to you and Todd for answering my post

[chrisjw]

The last couple of cars I've owned, I've joined forums & got loads of free advice & how to's......So if I was you, google 'Nissan Primera' forums & join one.............it's certainly helped me out in the past, plus, I've learned a lot too...............

* Actually, you don't even have to join. Just have a peruse through the threads, or put in a search............

** Found a link for you...........
www.npoc.co.uk/

[Blownupdolly]

Hello Chris. Thank you for that!
I now officially HATE cars >

[raid2506]

If you have replaced the fuse and it hasn't blown again there's a chance it's your ignition switch, they can short and then fail open. Does the ignition function correctly with the key in?

Do you get any dash lights or a tick from under the bonnet with the new fuse in and the ign key at position 2?

Does the key rotate to 3 and then spring back to 2?

When you had your other warning lights before did the ABS light come on too, or any others?

And a hundred more questions if I can keep my eyes open.

[Blownupdolly]

Dec 5, 2012 23:18:34 GMT raid2506 said:

If you have replaced the fuse and it hasn't blown again there's a chance it's your ignition switch, they can short and then fail open. Does the ignition function correctly with the key in?

Do you get any dash lights or a tick from under the bonnet with the new fuse in and the ign key at position 2?

Does the key rotate to 3 and then spring back to 2?

When you had your other warning lights before did the ABS light come on too, or any others?

And a hundred more questions if I can keep my eyes open.

Havent' noticed any other warning lights Raid, but it has just dawned on me, you might have the answer!! Afew months ago the most bizarre thing happened. I pulled in my driveway but didn't turn off the engine as my phone rang. After the call i sat very bemused as i reached for my keys in the ignition and they weren't there!!! Even though the engine was still running. They had fallen out on the floor and i just couldnt understand how it was still running.

[Blownupdolly]

sorry Raid forgot to answer the other questions. I just asked OH and he says it clicks to position 2 ok. It also does spring back to 2 after 3 but does not ignite. It doesnt even turn over although it did turn over but not start when it first happened on the road.

He has also just told me there are now strange lights on dashboard that werent there before. But being a bloke didnt feel the need to let ME know

A spiral coil type light has come on and airbag light.

[Blownupdolly]

FGS! my first reply to you is inside the quote box. i shouldn't have had that nap