Electrical Problem - Patrol

[ninjaa]

Gday

'96 GQ Patrol

She's developed an annoying tick-tock noise. I didn't take notice as it wasn't affecting me.

Went to put the window up (power windows) & I had nothing.

The noise sounds like a relay energising then de-energising...Every 11 seconds it energises ***In which time, while energised, my window can go up/down/sideways*** and de-energises a second later, for a 12sec loop.

Also, noise is coming from the passenger/glovebox area

Ideas??

Plzhalpmethnx

[agrid]

Is one of your switches jammed on? Give 'em all a wriggle.

[darkfibre]

Almost sounds like a circuit breaker resetting - if it is, just look for the one that is very hot.

[ninjaa]

Where would that be??

Went a few minutes down the road last night. With the lights on, I noticed that on my battery gauge, when 'the relay is energising' I get a voltage drop from ~14 to ~12 & my lights dim. No loss of power, just in that 1 sec of 'energising'

I've disconnected the LHS passenger's motor because she is fubar. I keep the window lock on & only my window goes down, but i'll play with the rest....(all windows CAN go down, I only ever use mine)

[McGoo]

The clicking noise makes me wonder if it could it be a faulty relay? There are usually some behind the kick panels in the passenger footwell (that is car general, not patrol general), where the ECU is.

[agrid]

Went a few minutes down the road last night. With the lights on, I noticed that on my battery gauge, when 'the relay is energising' I get a voltage drop from ~14 to ~12 & my lights dim. No loss of power, just in that 1 sec of 'energising'

Had the same symptom with my VK Commodore many years ago, one switch was staying on pushing the window up until the relay tripped.

[Kristy]

developed an annoying tick-tock noise.

I see your problem... it sounds rather terminal. I'd get rid of the car before it bins itself.

[ninjaa]

Haha I see whut you did thar!

Hmmmm but AFAIK, relays don't trip. A contact goes dodgy & eventually is fubar'd? Will try that, cheers mcgoo

[darkfibre]

Most electric windows use a circuit breaker (saves replacing a fuse every time some kid holds the switch on after the window has reached end of travel).

Follow the clicking noise. If the circuit breaker is indeed tripping, be aware it may be 'burn finger' hot.

As previously suggested disconnecting each motor may help vector to the problem. Also feel for warm wiring while it is tripping.

[ninjaa]

Hmmmm in the engine bay with the main relays/fuses?? Ignition, etc....the Power Windows one is quite warm. I found the plug making the noise, not sure if it's a relay though. I don't have a small flatty on me so I can't get the fucker out

That sounds like it'd be the culprit right guys? If coil or contact in the relay's fubar, then resistance is higher which makes it hot? Just gotta get it out & replace it....then it's diff oil, transfer case, clutch fluid, brake fluid, radiator flush, etc etc sigh

[ninjaa]

Hmmm so I found the plug, unplugged it which got rid of the tick-tock. Plug was really hot

Found the Power Windows relay I was talking about earlier. Also hot as fuck.

Across the coil read 88ohms, does that sound right or she's fubar?

Edit - And yes, i'm going for the record for most "fubar's" in a thread

[darkfibre]

88 ohms will flow less than 1/4 of an amp. The heat will be caused by a bigger external load or short.

Time to search downstream from the relay unit.

[ninjaa]

Lame

So you're thinking rubbed through insulation or half-cut wire....less current > higher resistance? Will keep looking but what's the go with that noise?? It sounded, and felt, like the tick tock was coming from that plug

And there's bullshit access in there, 3 fingers to get the plug out. Good luck tracing anything

[darkfibre]

I was more thinking window motor held on.

[ninjaa]

Yeah righto, will check the passenger side i disconnected awhile back.

Hmm while i'm at it, the problem with that side was it wouldn't go up. Found common, found contact that made it go down, found contact that should've made it go up....it arced but didn't go up = motor fubar?
I'm fairly sure I just unplugged it..

[agrid]

See post #2

[ninjaa]

I have..

[darkfibre]

I have..

We have stumbled upon the first recorded evidence that someone on PSB actually used the advice that they had just asked for!

[ninjaa]

It's not the battery