Electrics Not Fully Working With The Ignition On

[miss_d_bus]

I seem to be having a problem with my car when I start it.

I have noticed that there is no power to the 12v socket and the radio clock does not display. The radio does not light up when I turn on the headlights but I could manually turn on the radio to get it working and then the clock would display when I turn it off.

It has done it twice now but the engine started first time with no bother so I am feeling that this is not a Battery problem. The car is 07 reg with 5k on the clock so I would be surprised to hear the Battery is on its way out already. I do not leave things left on either that would drain the Battery when I park up.

Does this sound like a serious problem and if so, any idea what it could be?

The car is of course under warranty but I would appreciate it if someone could give me some idea of what the fault sounds like before I contact Toyota so I have something informed to tell them.

Thanks for any assistance,

Catherine

[gordonh]

It sounds like an earthing problem somewhere.

First check is all the fuses, then let your dealer play with it. It could take them a long time to find the fault though.

The way modern cars are wired is to cut down on the total amount of wire in the car to keep costs down so they share earths and lives which means sometimes the wrong thing lights up. A good example is the Ford Escorts that have a disco in the back lighting cluster when someone indicates, most seem do it.

[miss_d_bus]

It sounds like an earthing problem somewhere.

First check is all the fuses, then let your dealer play with it. It could take them a long time to find the fault though.

The way modern cars are wired is to cut down on the total amount of wire in the car to keep costs down so they share earths and lives which means sometimes the wrong thing lights up. A good example is the Ford Escorts that have a disco in the back lighting cluster when someone indicates, most seem do it.

Oh blimey that doesn't sound simple! Its odd that its been fine for nearly a year and its only just started happening.

I'll get the manual and see if I can locate the fuses first and go from there!

I can just imagine my car being in the garage for ages given that the fault is intermittent. That would be a right pain.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[Jan van de Wouw]

Check the fuses first; radio and 12V socket are on the same socket.

The clock might keep displaying due to a capacitor slowly discharging inside.

The fuse you need is under the cowling for the speedo, fuse #29,

it's the middle position (4th from either above or below) on the l

efthand side of the cluster and the fuse should be 15A (blue).

[miss_d_bus]

Check the fuses first; radio and 12V socket are on the same socket.

The clock might keep displaying due to a capacitor slowly discharging inside.

The fuse you need is under the cowling for the speedo, fuse #29, it's the middle position (4th from either above or below) on the lefthand side of the cluster and the fuse should be 15A (blue).

I will check that out and see when I have a moment. It could be something has worked itself loose under there.

What strikes me as odd is that it only happens when I start the car, not when I am driving so I have been wondering if it could possibly be a relay rather than an earthing problem?