Some basic questions - first road trip

[rswestling]

Sunday evening I took my first proper trip in the Caterham. I drove from London to Paris, and then back again on Monday night. On the first leg the car performed great with no problems at all, except that I need to get ear plugs! On the return trip I hit some patchy rain which was fine as I was moving and not getting wet. The little wipers did an effective job. After stopping for petrol and hitting some more rain I pressed the wiper button and nothing happened. I tried the wash too, and again nothing. I was able to drive and everything else was fine so I pressed on. When I got home I found that the fuse which is shared by both the wiper and the wash had blown.

 

So, question 1 is: the fuse is a 15amp, is it normal to have one go early in the life of the car? should I be looking for some underlying reason?

 

My second question: when the lights are on most of the rocker switches are lit. However, the brake fail, hazard, rear fog, and heated screen lights are not lit. I can't remember if they were and now there is a fault, or if they were never lit. All else seems normal.

 

Thanks in advance for any pointers.

 

-robert

[gin-fizz-whizz]

question 1 is: the fuse is a 15amp, is it normal to have one go early in the life of the car? should I be looking for some underlying reason?

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Did it blow when it was raining. Suspect moisture ingress. Are the seals all okay? Water and electrics don't mix and you could have a short.

 

My second question: when the lights are on most of the rocker switches are lit. However, the brake fail, hazard, rear fog, and heated screen lights are not lit. I can't remember if they were and now there is a fault, or if they were never lit. All else seems normal.

---

 

These only illuminate when 'on'. i.e. There's no background lighting.

[rswestling]

Thanks, it did blow when it was raining. I'll look for ingress, but are there ways to protect the fusebox? It was not very wet, so I hate to think what would happen in a deluge.

 

-robert

[Clousta]

Nice trip. I did Brussels - Caterham - Brussels last week.

 

I agree with the above except my rear fog lamp is illuminated when the sidelights are switched on. Also when the rear fog light is switched on there is an amber light at the top of the rocker switch. However I understand the later switches are different - looking at the CC website the switch appears to have a red lens in the switch rather than backlit green. - That's progress...

 

Gavin

1988 1700 Supersprint (LA, long cockpit)

 

Edited by - Clousta on 27 Jul 2010 21:06:48

[Willie.]

Check the wipers are not too long and wedge in the windscreen frame. They often need cut. If it got wedged they'd blow the fuse...although I suspect you would've seen this happening.

 

Willie

[longhallage]

Hi. I have just bought a 1999 superlight. The Heated windscreen, fog and hazzard lights don't illuminate unless in use when they should be lit. The brake fail light should only come on if there's a problem (i think) or if pressed. I have assumed this is as it should be!

Nick

[diggerman]

Robert,

 

I have had exactly the same problem and have yet to resolve the matter. I posted a item on BC last week. I think the switches are to blame. Mine frequently blows fuses, but only the instant you press the switch. The blades dont even have time to move. If the wipers do start then they always keep running until turned off. I know others have also experienced this problem. One comment was that all is OK if you press the switch firmly. If you pussyfoot bang goes the fuse!

 

My switch lights are the same as yours. The ones that do not come on with the side lights do illuminate when the relevant switch is in the on position.

 

Peter c

[abbot]

Did you enjoy cruising through Paris?

If you do it again I can give the location of meet that takes place every sunday morning 20k outside Paris

Chris

[rswestling]

Thank you all for your input. Seems the switch lights are in order, and the wipe/wash fuse may be a systemic issue.

 

Peter, sorry, I should have done a search first to see if the issue had been brought up before. I'll try to use the 'firm' approach going forward and always have a set of spares on hand as well. In an odd way I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one with this issue.

 

Chris, Paris was a blast. I usually do the trip on my bike, but now that my 7 is on the road I'll be making the trip once a month in it. I take the Eurotunnel, then the A16. I'd be happy to come on a Sunday and meet up with like minded motorists.

 

-robert