Non-Fronty question but can you help?

[FronteraGirl]

Sorry to dilute pure Fronty with French stuff, but I'm desperate! Got a T reg Renault Laguna, petrol, estate, 1.6. About a year ago it had a problem where if I braked and indicated at the same time, the fuses popped - actually think it was just the brake light fuse that kept going, but this also stopped the indicators working. Several people, including the garage looked at it, but it took an electrical specialist down south who was a mate of a mate, to suss out that there was an issue with the rear window heater, and once he removed that from the circuit, the problem was solved. Prior to this, all kinds of other things were tried and checked; the wiring in the brake light circuit was fine, the brake light switch was fine, the indicator stalk was fine, the hazard lights were fine, etc etc. So the leccy wizz got it fixed and its been fine for exactly a year.

Tomorrow, its booked in for its MOT and guess what, yesterday, the brake light fuse blew, and the indicators died (the fuse is fine though). I stuck 2 new fuses in this morning and as soon as I brake, they pop.

The only thing I've done recently is tow both of our trailers (not at the same time ) and all electrics were fine both before, during and after. 2 days ago was the last time I towed, 1 day ago everything still worked, and then yesterday afternoon it all stopped working.

Admin please feel free to bin this if you think I'm out of order posting it here, but if its ok, can anyone suggest what to look at and how to check the circuit? I need to know if its worth me hoovering the muck out or not

Huge amounts of thanks in advance

[Drift]

No problem posting this

I suspect its the towing point causing the problem, try spaying wd40 into the tow socket and cleaning it out, it could be shorting

[FronteraGirl]

Thanks Drift, would there be a fuse for the tow point I could just eliminate it like that? Found one wire in the rear light console that has the insulation snipped through but the wire isn't broken, and I can't see that it was touching any metal.

[Drift]

There should be a fuse and a relay I should think.

[FronteraGirl]

I probably should have added this to the first post, but just remembered that about 6months ago, or maybe less, the drivers side indicator started playing up. Inside the car you could hear a double speed tick-tock like the bulb had blown, but outside the indicator still worked, but on double fast speed. I got a new bulb just in case, but then never needed to fit it, its been fine ever since I bought the bulb.

Don't spose you know what the symbol for the towing thing would be? Can't spot anything obvious but theres a couple of fuses that I don't know what they're for. Have sprayed WD in the socket anyway, but now need to go buy more fuses cos the Fronty has baby fuses that don't fit the car. Grrrrrr !!

[Drift]

To be honest on that car I am not sure, the faulty indicator could in fact be the same relay.

[alsavs]

Hi Fronteragirl.Try the link below they might be able to help.

http://www.meganeownersclub.co.uk/

[Big Dav]

There's also the Renault forum to try. Trouble with Renaults all components "talk" to each other.

[Rifleman]

Have a look under the car at the towbar wiring loom coming from the tow plugs.
It may have been chaffing, or the insulation has allowed water ingress at a join. Check also where it comes out the back of the plug for damage.

[snapper]

Sounds like a chafing or dry joint problem originating in the rear section of the car.

Clean out the tow electric sockets (shorting to the earth/trailer aux live feed).

Check where they are joined into the loom, (esp if the tow bar is an after market jobby instaled by 'billy boy' the local diy electrical expert who thinks he's an electrician cos he can get a torch battery in the right way round seven times out of ten) look for well insulated, tight joints vs twisted wire held together by sellotape. I jest not.....

Outside chance it's in or around the bulb failure indicator thingy if fitted, I had one fail on a volvo once and it caused all sorts of issues.

Check earth points for tightness and presence of corrosion.

[FronteraGirl]

Hi guys, thanks for all the suggestions. I've had a look at the towing wiring and all seems fine to my eye. One thing I have done is disconnect the brake light switch from where it plugs in at the brake pedal. With a new fuse in the brake lights, and the switch disconnected, the indicators work fine. Dose this indicated that the problem is in the wiring from the brake lights to the switch? I have one of those LED brake light bars at the top of the rear window, do these give many probs?

At least I've got indicators and the rear fog lights act as pretty good brake lights!

Ps meant to say I'll mebbes try the magan forum, don't know if Lagunas are welcome there or not tho lol, tried the general Renault forum a while back but didn't find then very chattty

[Rifleman]

Put it back together and disconnect the LED bar, and try it from there.

[FronteraGirl]

I would if I could find any connections for it, they're well hidden! Thats me next step then.

[Rifleman]

It will be at one of the brake light clusters.

[FronteraGirl]

Oh jings, spose I gonna have to get a wiring diagram then!

[Rifleman]

Not really.
If you remove the 2 tail lights which contain the brake lights. Look at the looms and you will probably find that you have an extra wire or so leading off one side. These will be for the added light.
Difficult to explain without seeing it though.
Your towbar electrics will be connected to a plug already fitted to your car so you wont see them behind the lights.

[FronteraGirl]

Hi Keith, my rear lights are all in one cluster that has one plug going into it for the brakes, fog light, reverse light and indicators - can't see any lone wires that run off to one side....here tis...

[Rifleman]

There is one on that scotch grip hun. Where does that go?

[FronteraGirl]

Oooeeerr which one is that?

[Rifleman]

See the blue clip?
That is a scotch grip that is used to take a feed from another wire. It folds over the donor wire, and you then fit the wire along side it that need a feed to. Then it is folded over and crimped tight.
So you need to follow the extra wire coming from it and find out what it feeds.
My guess is that it is your LED light.
If it is, carefully prize it open and pull out the metal bridge that pierces both wires.
Pull it off both wires so they are seperated. Then try your brakes again to see if everything is ok.
If it is, then throw the clip in the bucket and leave the LED disconnected or remove it.
If the problem still exists, then you can re-use the clip by puting the bridge back in and refitting the wires.
Crimp it back together and fold over the securing clip.
Good idea to have a look at how it goes together before pulling it to bits.
Hope that helps you.