My secret handbrake, headlight ignition switch

So recently I have managed to get my LR D90 to a reasonable road condition and have been using it as my everyday car.

Today I discovered a peculiar quirk with it's electrics.

Pulled up at my house, turned headlights off
"Oh that's weird why won't they turn off today?"

Turn ignition off
"Hmm that won't turn off either **** what am I going to do, I don't know how to turn off a car without it's ignition."

Pull handbrake up, turn headlights off (as is my normal habit)
"What the hell? That worked"

Turn ignition off
"Well good engines off and I know thats the issue"

Remove key, release handbrake, turn headlights on.
"Why has the ignition come on? I mean sure the car hasn't started but my glows are warming up"


Anybody ever heard of this one before or could even theorise what is happening here?

I take it you have a handbrake on warning light on the dash? Will be some problem between that and the switch for this lamp, bad earth, chaffed wire etc... Or maybe something completely different! I got my washers to come on when I turned my headlights on a few weeks back! Was a dodgy live connection at the headlight.

Nah that has never worked since buying the car its on the list somewhere.

It may get bumped up a little as my speedo doesn't work, ignition barrel is loose within it's shroud (as in not bolted to the column), my flasher and horn doesn't seem to work and my wiper motor and wiper stop switch needs to be replaced.

Sounds like next weekend is looking like dashboard removal day...

Car using handbrake cable as an earth path?

Jin said:

Nah that has never worked since buying the car its on the list somewhere.



It may get bumped up a little as my speedo doesn't work, ignition barrel is loose within it's shroud (as in not bolted to the column), my flasher and horn doesn't seem to work and my wiper motor and wiper stop switch needs to be replaced.



Sounds like next weekend is looking like dashboard removal day...

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Apart from that though...
Sounds like an earth problem and faulty switches. If you haven't already got one, get/fabricate a steering wheel remover, makes life a lot easier when fiddling with the column and dash electrics!

Check those earth's and if it was mine I would disconnect battery when not in use.

Thanks Guys.

By steering wheel removal tool, is that a puller?

lynall said:

car using handbrake cable as an earth path?

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+1

Jin said:

Thanks Guys.



By steering wheel removal tool, is that a puller?

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Yes, like this one

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/121534102172?nav=SEARCH

Worth it's weight in gold, even if you use it only once!

As has been said the handbrake cab,e is acting as an earth cable, I had this happen on my 90. What you need to do is to run additional earth cables from the bulkhead to the chassis to give earth a decent path. I used thick black wire that was rated for headlights and put a couple in.

G

Winnet said:

As has been said the handbrake cab,e is acting as an earth cable, I had this happen on my 90. What you need to do is to run additional earth cables from the bulkhead to the chassis to give earth a decent path. I used thick black wire that was rated for headlights and put a couple in.

G

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unless it is a lighthouse headlight then headlight wire is no good.

get a proper earth strap or battery cable with copper lugs

With earth cables bigger really is better more than one is also a good idea, engine to chassis and body to chassis.

lynall said:

With earth cables bigger really is better more than one is also a good idea, engine to chassis and body to chassis.

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No such thing as too many earths on a defender ...

Or try an exorcist!