Electrical: 240DL B230K Electrical Gremlins

[mike.gordon]

A rather annoying problem with my fairly new (to me) 1990 DL Estate. The car runs well generally but sometimes when turning the ignition on there are no running lights or dash lights displaying. Although the car will fire up like this it runs very roughly (possibly on 3 cylinders). If I turn the car off, turn it back on and then switch on the fog lights on and off (or general pushing of switches) it seems to be fine again. All earths seem to be ok and the fuse box looks in good shape (though it does make clunking noises when pushing buttons - is that normal?)

The car played up on sunday and last night (weds) with probably 20 runs inbetween without problems so it seems pretty pointless handing it to a mechanic when it is running fine.

Any pointers as to where I start investigating would be very helpful as I am pretty clueless on the electrical front.

regards - mike

[Glen Morangie]

When you say "the fuse box is in good condition" have you actually taken the fuses out and cleaned the ends, and cleaned the contacts into which they fit?

The fuses corrode at the ends, they can look fine when the fuse cover is removed, but need close inspection.

There is also a distribution rail under the bonnet, on the RHS as you look at the engine, a black box with a 'pop off' lid. The same applies here - clean the contacts and then see if the problem returns.

[honestjoe]

I would have to agree with glen....its sounds very much like a poor connection somewhere...and in a lot of previous posts the 240 fusebox can be responsilble for a lot of gremlins...good luck!..hj.

[chesters6]

Originally Posted by Glen Morangie

When you say "the fuse box is in good condition" have you actually taken the fuses out and cleaned the ends, and cleaned the contacts into which they fit?

The fuses corrode at the ends, they can look fine when the fuse cover is removed, but need close inspection.

There is also a distribution rail under the bonnet, on the RHS as you look at the engine, a black box with a 'pop off' lid. The same applies here - clean the contacts and then see if the problem returns.

the lid (front) slides up ,i had a peek at mine after seeing this posting ,mine are as new but i gave it a quirt of contact cleaner and a wiggle just because i levered the front off instead of lifting it
mines the same occasionally it tries to run on 2 cylinders or three most puzzling ,if its tractor like its two cylinders (hint : it jumps around the drive) or if the gearstick wobbles its three.
a new set of leads (although their not old) may cure it or a new dizzy cap or etc etc
put a new set of plugs in ! what swedish berk desined the sparkplug hole angle no 4 is a nightmare