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Conference terri::cars_uk

Title:Cars in the UK
Notice:Please read new conference charter 1.70
Moderator:COMICS::SHELLEYELD
Created:Sun Mar 06 1994
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2584
Total number of notes:63384

1985.0. "SOS GOLF IN TROUBLE" by SUBURB::PARTRIDGES (Stefan Partridge) Tue Jan 12 1993 19:26

    Sorry!!. New to this game. I am a Mk1 Vw Golf owner. I drive a 1983 'Y'
    reg limited edition 1.5 GX. The problem is..... Every time I brake the
    left parking light comes on, and everytime I indicate left, the left
    parking light comes on with the indicator, and when I indicate right,
    the right parking light comes on. I have just failed my M.O.T because
    of this. Can some one be a life saver and give some advice in any way.
    I am on a tight budget so I do not really want to call out some
    profeesional.
    
    
    
    Please Help.
    
    P.s. Does any one have any cheap prices for four alloy wheels with
    tyres. I have four original BBS wheels at the moment and they are
    looking a bit past it, also anyone who has got a cheap front bib
    spoiler for sale.
    
    Cheers
    
    Golf man
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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1985.1A picture TIMMII::RDAVIESAn expert AmateurTue Jan 12 1993 19:4439
    Your problem is very common, and almost allways due to a bad earth to
    one light assembly. Picture this....
    
    	^to switch					^to switch
    	LH indicator			^to switch	RH indicator
    	|				|		|
    	|			stop lights		|
    	|				|		|
    	|	+-----------------------+-------+	|
    	|	|				|	|
    	|	|	    to  ^ switch	|	|
    	|	|	and front lights	|	|
    	|	|	side/parking lights	|	|
    	|	|		|		|	|
    	|	|	+-------+-------+	|	|
    	|	|	|		|	|	|
    	|	|	|		|	|	|
    	O	O	O		O	O	O
    	|	|	|		|	|	|
    	|	|	|		|	|	|
    	+-------+-------+		+-------+-------+
    		|				|
    	  to chassis			  to chassis
    
    Each light unit has a common point to chassis for the return
    electricity.
    
    Now assume that the LH chassis connection was bad When you put your
    stop lights on the return can't go to earth, so it finds the nearest
    next path, back up through the sidelight back along it's feed wire
    untill it reaches the FRONT sidelight and through to ground.
    
    Similary if this were on the next best path would be through the
    indicator back to the front indicator.
    
    So  find the common ground for each light assembly and make sure it has
    a good solid clean connection to the chassis.
    
    Richard
1985.2ESBS01::RUTTERRut The NutTue Jan 12 1993 19:4521
1985.3THANKS FOR YOUR ADVISESUBURB::PARTRIDGESStefan PartridgeWed Jan 13 1993 12:2611
    Its Golf man here again. I have checked the point where the light
    earth, and have cleaned them. But the problem is still arising. I have
    can to the conclusion that it must be faulty bulbs. Can someone tell me
    the description of each bulbs, i.e. brake bulbs are twin filments etc. 
    
    Thanks for everyone advise
    
    Golf Man
    
    P.s. Has anyone got any alloys or front bib spoiler.
    
1985.4MAJORS::ALFORDlying Shipwrecked and comatose...Wed Jan 13 1993 12:447

Re: .3


Go into Halfords (or similar), they have long charts/books on what bulbs go 
into what model/year of car...
1985.5If at first...CMOTEC::JASPERWed Jan 13 1993 14:389
    Golf Man,
    
    I would check the earths again !
    
    Check each light cluster, both at the point where the harness joins the
    cluster & where the cluster earth lead is bonded to the chassis. Take
    the chassis connection off, clean it, clean the chassis & reassemble.
    
    
1985.6SUBURB::TAFF::WobRobert Screene, UK Finance EUCWed Jan 13 1993 21:017
I had a very similar problem with my '83 vintage MK1 Golf.  The parking 
lights linked to the brake light.

It was caused by a single filament replacement bulb being installed in 
place of the proper twin filament type.

Robert.
1985.7moved by modKERNEL::SHELLEYRHypodeemic nerdleFri Jan 15 1993 20:0722
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Note 1992.0                   GOLF MKI PROBLEM....                     2 replies
SUBURB::PARTRIDGES "Stefan Partridge"                16 lines  15-JAN-1993 16:04
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    As you can see from my previous note in 1985.0 I have still have the
    electricial problem. I think it my be the indicator switch, as when you
    pull done lightly the indicator works fine, but as soon as you put into
    the clicking position the parking light comes on with the indicator.
    Does anyone think I'm right by replacing the indicator switch.
    
    Also. I have just brought a set of 15" alloy wheels for my golf mk I.
    As this seems to be the car fashion size people are voting on. Is it
    possible to fit 185/55/15 on the front, and 205/55/15 on the rear of
    the car?.
    
    Please can any one help me out.
    
    
    Cheers Golf Man
    
1985.8moved by modKERNEL::SHELLEYRHypodeemic nerdleFri Jan 15 1993 20:0815
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Note 1992.1                   GOLF MKI PROBLEM....                        1 of 2
FORTY2::PALKA                                         9 lines  15-JAN-1993 16:33
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    Does the indicator switch also control the parking lights ? If not then
    I dont think the switch will be at fault. I believe that you have an
    earth problem. Note that indicator switches (especially when combined
    with lighting switches) tend to be expensive. You should not change it
    unless you are sure that it is at fault. It may be best to let someone
    who understands car electricals examine it. Poking around with a meter
    would diagnose this problem quickly.
    
    Andrew
1985.9moved by (other) modKERNEL::SHELLEYRHypodeemic nerdleFri Jan 15 1993 20:0818
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Note 1992.2                   GOLF MKI PROBLEM....                        2 of 2
TIMMII::RDAVIES "An expert Amateur"                  12 lines  15-JAN-1993 16:43
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    Should've continued in the other note string.......
    
    Yes the Golf indicator switch also controls the parking lights when the
    ignition is off (there's one outside I can see has got a parking light
    one side on).
    
    I guess you've got a dicky switch. Judging by the other notes about
    costs of spares I suggest you take a second mortgage your home ready.
    
    :-)
    
    Richard