Problems with electrics

[playallday]

Hi Ant
I am in the SW of France with a bit of a problem I thought you might have encountered so before I called in the cavalry I thought I'd ask you.

Driving through France all my electrics died, with no warning, as I exited a roundabout. After a few seconds, in the first 2 cases, they came on and I was able to restart the engine & go. The third time it didn't so I pushed it into a carpark to decide what to do.

On reflection I realised it only happened as I was exiting small roundabouts...turning the wheel and indicating at the same time seems to cause a shutdown. It's not shorting out, as the fuse doesn't blow and it doesn't happen if I just indicate to pull over, only when I indicate and turn sharply to the right. I checked the battery terminals and the connection was good.

I taped the indicator so that I can't use it, (well, I am in France!!)and it seems to verify this as the problem hasn't occurred since. So the first aid is OK, but I need to get it sorted before I drive back. I'd really like to have some idea of what it might be before I put myself into the hands of some French mechanic!

I'm with a friend for a few days so have access to the internet. I'd be grateful for any comments or advice.

Thanks Ant

Jean

[Pauline]

I can't offer any advice Jean but just wanted to say that I hope you get it sorted.......I bet SuperAnt will have the solution!

Isn't technology wonderful when you can get advice from so far away!

[ant]

Hi Jean.
If the engine and all the lights stopped there must be a malardy with the main ignition feed. Under the dash below the steering wheel there are masses of wires that seem to be in a general mess ( thats normal!). On the right side is the ignition switch gear which has heavy wires coming from it, they go into a block connector about 5 inches from the ignition switch barrel. I would check that that is firstly connected together firmly and that it isn't corroded too badly. The C15 is not prone to stopping due to any major problems and it's much more likely to be something silly like a wire being pulled when you turn the wheel. The indicator stalk has its own wires and is completely separate from the main ignition connector, the stalk unit does put a little peg out when you indicate in order for it to self cancel when you turn the wheel back. It may be that this little peg is catching a wire which then pulls the rest of the wires around the steering column.
Worst case is that the ignition switch barrel has failed and you need a new ignition switch, much more likely to be something silly!
Thanks
Ant

[playallday]

Thanks Pauline..yes, sometimes technology can be on your side!! I'm hoping Ant might have a clue as to where to start

My friend's brother is coming ove on Thursday and he's supposed to be a bit of a hotshot mechanically.....I don't know about electrics so I'll keep my fingers crossed.