Mark 5 electrical problem

[royspeed]

I have found an unusual problem with the lights on my old heap of a Luton.
Every time I depress the brake pedal, the headlights come on!

I have checked the fuses, all seem OK, it came on almost overnight, after I did a run up to Milton Keynes from London, the problem appeared that evening.
I wouldn't mind, but there seems to be a drain on the battery as well, I regularly have to jump start the thing!
It is a 1994 Mk 5, BTW.
Any suggestions, apart from weighing it in?

Roy.

[the_big_fact_hunt]

sounds like a short somewhere, check the wires around the pedal, column and bulkhead for a start

[AndyG]

Sounds like 2 different faults

You have a poor earthing on one of your rear lamps
This causes the brake lights to earth via the sidelights The headlamps also glow because your van has the "dim dip" feature where the headlamps come on when the side lights are on and ign./engine is also on

The battery draining is likely to be a separate fault Either a faulty alternator diode pack or radio staying on
To be sure, you'll need to use a test meter to determine what circuit is actually draing the battery Then deal with it

[GBBiker]

Not quite on topic but 1994 will be a MK4 surely

[MinorMatt]

Mk5 came out in M reg... so it is possible to have a late 94 smiley

[the_big_fact_hunt]

tis true, i had an m reg mk5, it was my first transit

[AndyG]

It's definitely a MK5
I know, as I've worked on it (or under it, if I remember right )

[spikefreeway]

Sounds like 2 different faults

You have a poor earthing on one of your rear lamps
This causes the brake lights to earth via the sidelights The headlamps also glow because your van has the "dim dip" feature where the headlamps come on when the side lights are on and ign./engine is also on

The battery draining is likely to be a separate fault Either a faulty alternator diode pack or radio staying on
To be sure, you'll need to use a test meter to determine what circuit is actually draing the battery Then deal with it

Its likley that if you take the rear lense cluster off and clean the terminals and connectors a bob a bit of WD40 through it, that should bottom it. Its a feature of all Fords of a certain age.

The way best way to test the diode is as above, however a low tec solutiion is if you take the chunky red lead off the alternator (hopefully a sockety thing but possibly just the bolt on type) overnight and if it doesnt go flat then your diode has had it. Either replace the alternator or fit an isolater/breaker but remember to turn it back on again when you have started up!

[royspeed]

Well, I have found the problem!
The cable carrying the wires to the rear light cluster were hanging down in front of the exhaust pipe, and it has fried the wires!
I will have to cut out the burnt section and reconnect it up, then tie the wiring loom up with ty-wraps to stop it happening again.
I think the wires were left loose when I got a new box on the back a couple of years ago, I just didn't notice it at the time.
Oh well, back under the van again!
I still need to get a new tail-lift motor, as the existing one is knackered, but they are so expensive!

Roy.

[spikefreeway]

yup that would certainly do it, glad youve got it sorted.

[GBBiker]

It's definitely a MK5
I know, as I've worked on it (or under it, if I remember right )

So it's not a MK4 Luton in his sig then? I can't see it properly, it's too small

[royspeed]

Just for reference, here is the offending wire;



A bit knackered, wouldn't you say?

Roy.

EDIT; to GBBiker, It is definitely a Mk 5 in the signature, I have had a new box put on it since the picture was taken, due to a slight disagreement with a low arch!

[captain hook]

Do you still need a Tailift pump

[royspeed]

Do you still need a Tailift pump

I think there is a loose connection inside the tail-lift motor, it makes a horrible noise, and often refuses to work. I can hear the solenoid working, but I usually have to kick the box to get it to co-operate
It is a Ratcliff column lift, TBH it was ropey when I got the new box fitted, but it has got gradually worse over time.
Can you point me in the direction of a better one then

Roy.

[vanfox]

I could be wrong here but isn't the motor a modified starter motor? It's a long time since I drove small commercials but I seem to recall seeing the hydraulic pump bolted to ..... a starter motor. If so try checking the brushes, that may be all you need.