nicholiath · Feb 6, 2010

I have a 300 tdi CSW, when i release the handbrake the headlights dim slightly and you can hear the heater fan slow down, also if wipers are on they run slower! I disconnected the wire on the hand brake lever that lights dash warning light, thinking it was an earth problem but this made no difference. Anybody know what is going on?

jamescronin · Feb 6, 2010

Whats going on is that the earthing straps are worn out/ been damaged off road. This is causing the electricity to earth through the handbreak cable - depending on if it is on or off alters the amount of contact the cable has with the body, and so alters the resistance.

What you need to do (quite urgently) is to go under the landy with a new earthing strap, and make sure the one conecting the body to the engine/gearbox is both there, and in good order.

The fact that it is starting up without melting the handbrake cable means the connection between the engine and the -ve on the battery is OK, but id check it as well.

Earthing on a landy goes like this

body -> engine - > battery

James

Shifty1962 · Feb 6, 2010

jamescronin said:
Whats going on is that the earthing straps are worn out/ been damaged off road. This is causing the electricity to earth through the handbreak cable - depending on if it is on or off alters the amount of contact the cable has with the body, and so alters the resistance.

What you need to do (quite urgently) is to go under the landy with a new earthing strap, and make sure the one conecting the body to the engine/gearbox is both there, and in good order.

The fact that it is starting up without melting the handbrake cable means the connection between the engine and the -ve on the battery is OK, but id check it as well.

Earthing on a landy goes like this

body -> engine - > battery

James

Spot on. Hand brake is working as an earth.

nicholiath · Feb 6, 2010

Thankyou very much chaps, will check in the morning.

nicholiath

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jamescronin

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Shifty1962

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nicholiath

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