Instruments dead

[timidtim]

So, I start the engine. All instruments come on for a second or so, then all go dead except the speedo. Heatar fan dead as well.

[Hibsfan1875]

That's just a fuse mate. 10p for a new one lol

[timidtim]

Thanks buddy that was it!

[Brianmoooore]

Hhhm! No such thing as "just a fuse" - they only blow for a good reason.

[Alex]

i have the exact same problem but all fuses look good, which fuse is it? it look ok but still could be fooked

[timidtim]

Hhhm! No such thing as "just a fuse" - they only blow for a good reason.

Ah yes indeed! Its blown again after about 20mins driving...!

(Its fuse #10 on mine BTW)

[e30-EVN]

This happened on my m50 conversion, turned out the reverse light wire caught on the prop centre doughnut and chaffed through the earth part of the wire thus blowing fuse 10 and loosing all instruments as a result.

Sorted the reverse light wire and replaced fuse number 10 and all been fine since

[Brianmoooore]

This happened on my m50 conversion, turned out the reverse light wire caught on the prop centre doughnut and chaffed through the earth part of the wire thus blowing fuse 10 and loosing all instruments as a result.

Sorted the reverse light wire and replaced fuse number 10 and all been fine since

The wire under the car has a rubber insulation which can perish, and is quite capable of shorting out without any help from the prop.
As a check/temporary solution, lift up the gear lever gaiter, and find a two pin plug and socket lying very close to the base of the lever. Pull this apart, and if that cures your fuse blowing, as well as killing the reverse lights, then the wire is your problem.

[e30-EVN]

When it first happened you advised me about the wire so I jacked up the car and found that the wire had caught the prop.
I pulled it up through the rubber boot so it didn't dangle low and insulated the offended area and I've had no trouble since

[Brianmoooore]

Wire should be clipped to the fixed part of the gearchange assembly.

[e30-EVN]

Ah, that's what I was missing mate lol
I thought it was hanging a bit low! I've pulled it through a bit more as a temp measure so it doesn't catch

[Brianmoooore]

Cable ties do the job.

[e30-EVN]

Yeah cable ties ftw lol

[timidtim]

Checked out said wires this morning, no breaks or damage found. Even stripped back sheathing to examine where it passes through the clip. All appears OK there. Found out that fuse blows when reverse gear is selected. Could it be a problem with one of the bulbs? What next?

Tim

[Brianmoooore]

Turn the reverse lights on by shorting together the two pins of the socket I mentioned further up the thread, and see if this pops the fuse.

[timidtim]

The reverse lights come on and the fuse doesn't pop...

[daimlerman]

...then your problem is the wire or the switch!

[timidtim]

Thanks. How easy is it to change the switch please?

[Brianmoooore]

Just screws into the side of the gearbox, underneath the car.
What makes you think it needs changing?

[jimbob29]

this happened to me it turned out to be a broken boot lid light.it came loose and was hanging down causing it to touch the metal when cornering!

[timidtim]

Just screws into the side of the gearbox, underneath the car.
What makes you think it needs changing?

Assuming the wires OK I'm guessing its the switch...?

[Brianmoooore]

this happened to me it turned out to be a broken boot lid light.it came loose and was hanging down causing it to touch the metal when cornering!

This will blow fuse 21, not 10.

[Brianmoooore]

Just screws into the side of the gearbox, underneath the car.
What makes you think it needs changing?

Assuming the wires OK I'm guessing its the switch...?

You said it was blowing fuse 10. A duff switch won't normally do this.

[timidtim]

It is definitly blowing fuse 10.
I just did some more checks under the car.
Checking with reverse gear engaged I get continuity between the 2 poles of the switch as you'd expect. However there is also continuity between the casing of the gearbox and each pole...