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Mu won't start, Something is shorting out...

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Mu won't start, Something is shorting out...

Postby ruggerbear » Mon Oct 05, 2009 4:29 am

Kia ora all

I went to start my Mu this morning and it turned over once and then died. There is definitely an electrical issue because when I turn the ignition to the on position, all the dash/door lights go really dim.

At first I though it was the battery, but I could hear this funny crackling noise from under the bonnet. When I lifted the bonnet, I could clearly hear what it was coming from. There are two small box type things on the drivers side up towards the firewall end, the one on top is blueish and the one underneath looks like some electrical transformer of some kind and has a brown connection on it. The noise is coming from that brown one underneath.

What is it? What does it do? and... is it going to cost me a fortune to replace? Any help would be great.

Sorry, My description was really vague, so I've taken a picture of it.

photo.jpg
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Re: Mu won't start, Something is shorting out...

Postby pig75 » Mon Oct 05, 2009 6:49 am

They are only vacuum switches they won’t affect the starting . It sounds more like a loose or dirty battery terminal or a dead battery
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Re: Mu won't start, Something is shorting out...

Postby ruggerbear » Mon Oct 05, 2009 7:17 am

Yeah bro, the battery was dead as! I forgot I had roadside assistance, so I got the fella out and he got it started. Got a new battery ($190 later :( )
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Re: Mu won't start, Something is shorting out...

Postby Pissy » Mon Oct 05, 2009 8:57 am

Always pays to buy a multimeter, a $10 cheapo is all you need and you can get all types of issues sorted out.

Maybe Someone could write an FAQ - How to use a Multimeter (12volts) HINT HINT ;)
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Re: Mu won't start, Something is shorting out...

Postby geeves » Mon Oct 05, 2009 12:38 pm

Even experts can be caught out by multimeters with these but the tests are simple. Mine did this a year or so ago. Meter told me it was the battery so I replaced it and all was well for 2 weeks then same result again (battery reads 12.5 with headlights on but 2v when starting) turnend out the starter was so worn that the armature was rubbing on the stator causeing a big short.
Only clue was hot battery leads.
Couldnt budge the starter so gave it to the auto sparky who needed a 6 foot strong arm to shift the bolts. He told me to avoid seawater in the future after selling me a new starter. I cant use his description of the job on a family friendly forum
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