No Power With Dipped/Full Beam

[oli8925]

Hi

I'm having an ongoing problem with the Viva I'm finding impossible to fix.

When Dipped or full beam is on, the car will lose all power from the battery. No ignition/dash lights/radio etc. Sometimes this can be solved by turning the key to completely off and switching back on again. Sometimes the key needs to be removed, or if this doesn't work, a wiggle of the wires under the steering column or around the fusebox works. Sometimes this doesn't happen at all and the lights work fine.

I've tried wiggling around individual wires when the lights are on and working to isolate the problem wire/connection but have had no luck. It seems to play up almost at random, whether I'm driving, wiggling wires, or sitting on the driveway not even touching the wires.

Can anyone shed any light? because I'm completely lost now

Thanks, Oli

[dann01]

You explain that you are wiggling wires, but how do the connections at the ignition switch look, are they solid, or do the pins in the switch move slightly?

As you turn the key in the ignition, is it a smooth action, or does it snag at all?

Also, the lighting switch, the connection pins here should be firm.

Once had this problem myself, and like you agonised over what it might be, but eventually came down to the direct sourse of the probem, which was the ignition switch. Once replaced, everything was fine.

Dan

[oli8925]

Hi Dan, thanks for the reply.

All the connections are good, solid and clean around the ignitions switch. Light switch is good also. Key turns pretty smoothly, haven't had any problems with it not wanting to turn anyway.

I had considered it to be ignition switch. Fast running out of options so I think replacing it will probably be my best bet. Do you know where I could get one? Had a search of Ebay and Google - nada.

Oli

[MattyE]

I got a whole new ignition barrel/key etc for my firenza - turned out to be identical to a bedford rascal part! ( with a slightly newer looking key )

might be worth looking for bedford bits, bound to be more plentiful

[oli8925]

Oh but I like my old looking key better than no electrickery though so will have a look thanks MattyE