Help with an electrical problem please.

[Clois Harlan]

I feel your pain tracing down electrical gremlins, I have had to do that several times myself. My symptoms were similar to yours and mine turned out to be my alternator.

One of the best things I have done to my car was when I put in my battery cut off switch,. Lead line from battery ground goes directly to my swithch and then to a combo ground (engine and frame). Every time I exit my car after turning off my key I turn my battery switch off---eliminating any drain on the battery.

Clois

[Zedn]

Pills,

Have you checked your earths? Is it possible that the when the fan switches on the alternator is earthing through the fan circuit? Is the alternator earthed properly? I may be totally wrong, but it was just a thought.

Liam

[David Hodgson]

Engine paint could prevent alt earthing to block. Also make sure there is an earth strap from block to chassis/battery

[Zedn]

I think the Alternator earths through the mounting bracket on the engine (from memory). So as you say David, that earth strap from the block to chassis is probably the culpret. Could just be a bit of corrosion that has formed under the connection.

[Pills]

Originally Posted by Zedn

I think the Alternator earths through the mounting bracket on the engine (from memory). So as you say David, that earth strap from the block to chassis is probably the culpret. Could just be a bit of corrosion that has formed under the connection.

Zedn, interesting point. From memory, I have not seen an earth strap from the block to the chassis.I will have a good look around tommorow. I could easily make a temporary earth strap to see if this allows the charge circuit to operate corectly.

Cheers Chris.

[Pills]

Can anyone recomend a good auto electrician in the southern suburbs of Sydney. Just in case I cannot resolve this problem over the weekend. I would also be interested to know of any other fellow cobra owners in this area.

I do plan on having Neil Streating do some work on my car during the colder winter months, and I know Sideshow can resolve my electrical issues, but in the meantime someone closer to home and easily accessible would be great.

[Outwest34au]

I'd be grabbing some jumper leads and using them to earth the alternator to the engine block, the block to chassis and the chassis to battery. Quick and easy and you don't have to disturb any connections.
If that shows a positive result then begin with voltage drop checks to find the bad connection.

Also, where is the earth on your fans? Is it earthed straight to the radiator frame? Most radiators are rubber mounted and may not provide a good earth.