Electrics stop working...

[Bidz]

Start up the car, happy happy happy, then after a short and variable amount of time, I have no wipers, rear screen heater, fan blower, indicators...

Turn it off then back and and voila, it works again - for a short time...

Time to replace the voltage regulator??

[aupickup]

must be a dodgy connection some where
maybe the ignition switch

[Bidz]

Then why the random timeout and resettabilty?

[bmcecosse]

No idea = but why would it be anything to do with the Regulator... It is however worth checking all the connections on the Reg box.

[Bidz]

No idea = but why would it be anything to do with the Regulator...

Because I was under the impression all of these systems were powered from the regulator?

All connections are fine...

[beero]

Clean the fuse terminals and buy new glass fuses. I have had this where fuses test okay with a meter but seem to fail under load.
Had similar to this on my MGB. Interior lights worked until I operated the horn, then they wouldn't work. Next time I went to the car the interior lights worked again but failed after using the horn. Had me foxed for quite a while. When I broke the fuse open there was corrosion where the fuse wire is attached to the end cap.

[alexmcguffie]

Check the fuse with the white and green wires going to it in the fuse box next to the volgate regulator. Chances are that where the fuse wire is soldered to the end caps the joint has become brittle. The more voltage you draw through the fuse, the less voltage will get to the device powered through that fuse. I'd be 99% sure a new fuse will fix it.

[Bidz]

Hmmm it will require looking at closely then...so no need for a new voltage stabilizer?

Great!

[alexmcguffie]

I'd be very surprised

[bmcecosse]

Regulator and voltage stabiliser - not the same thing! You appear to be shooting wildly in the dark. Try nice new fuses and clean contacts as suggested already.

[Bidz]

Regulator and voltage stabiliser - not the same thing! You appear to be shooting wildly in the dark. Try nice new fuses and clean contacts as suggested already.

I meant the voltage stabilizer originally - I don't have a regulator - but I misunderstood what it did! I only half remembered the wiring diagram.

[bmcecosse]

The voltage stabiliser only supplies the fuel gauge (and a temperature gauge if you have fitted one). Nothing else!

[Bidz]

The voltage stabiliser only supplies the fuel gauge (and a temperature gauge if you have fitted one). Nothing else!

Indeed, I see. Fuel gauge works, temperature gauge doesn't....I wouldn't be surprised if it was wired to another +12v supply...

[bmcecosse]

Ah well your voltage stabiliser is working fine!

[Bidz]

Another +1 for this forum!! I took the fuses out, cleaned the contacts with a nail file, put in new fuses and hey presto!!

Thank you!!

[bmcecosse]

Well done coming back to us - but 'beero' advised you to check and clean the fuses and holders a week ago!!!

[Bidz]

Well done coming back to us - but 'beero' advised you to check and clean the fuses and holders a week ago!!!

It was the first thing I tried, actually - I didn't have the car.