Dashboard backlight failed + headlight warning buzer

[tom_BRM]

I was driving home tonight and suddenly the backlight on my dashboard went out. The headlights are all still working. However, the buzzer that warns you when you open the door with the headlights on has also stopped working.

Could this be a fuse, given that both things failed at once ?

Tom

[Jon_A]

Not heard of them both going like this but I have heard of the sensor pins on the door frames breaking. I assume there must be a fuse for them both, do other lights work such as the centre heater vents?

[tom_BRM]

Dropped the car into a garage this morning. They say that a fuse had gone, as well as one of the back headlight bulbs. However, when they replaced either the fuse or the bulb, they both blew again straight away.

Its obviously some kind of electrical short. Is it a coincidence that this happens just a week after I fitted my new sterio ?

Tom

[Dom]

probably a coincidence but always worth double checking... there should be an illumination wire in the ISO block but as you don't need to fiddle with the wiring when fitting a new stereo, I doubt if you've done anything?

[Gene Hunt]

I wonder if there is a bare wire in there ?.

[tom_BRM]

I took the sterio back out again today. All of the wires appeared to be covered, although there was an extra wire that didn't go into anything. I taped this up at the end. The arial wire was completely uncovered too (because it didn't fit into the new head unit). Could this produce a short ?

I'll go to Halfords tomorrow and try replacing the fuse and bulb.

Tom

[Gene Hunt]

Could be the arial wire.You could try covering it & then try the new fuse & bulb.

[Dom]

aerial wire will be fine - it'll be a signal from the headunit telling an electric aerial or amplifier to turn on. Theoretically it should be connected (light blue) but shouldn't pose any problems if not.

I didn't think the BRM had a radio amplifier though?

[tom_BRM]

Took my car to a Rover specialist today. They found the wiring found and fixed it. So now my BRM has lights AND music. Result !

It seems I was blame though. My DIY sterio fitting had caused some wires to get cut and they were arcing, causing a short circuit. So all the money I saved by fitting the sterio myself has now been spent on the electronics repair.

Tom

[Gene Hunt]

Oh well it's fixed :).