Re:Wiring advice - I'm stuck!

Hi. I run a light bar on the front of my roof rack. A few months ago, it started being a bit hit and miss when switching on. Sometimes had to switch on / off a few times before it came on. I changed the switch, no difference, so changed the relay, still no change. However, I have replaced the relay again thinking it may be a dodgy one, and noticed something else now. With the relay not connected, the switch illuminates when on, but with the relay connected, no light on the switch?? Do we think light bar itself, or possibly something else?
Cheers

me101 wrote: Hi. I run a light bar on the front of my roof rack. A few months ago, it started being a bit hit and miss when switching on. Sometimes had to switch on / off a few times before it came on. I changed the switch, no difference, so changed the relay, still no change. However, I have replaced the relay again thinking it may be a dodgy one, and noticed something else now. With the relay not connected, the switch illuminates when on, but with the relay connected, no light on the switch?? Do we think light bar itself, or possibly something else?
Cheers

Depends on wiring, just note jimny is negative wired.
You do not say where you pick up your power from unless here is pic that I cant see in tappatalk.
So it depends. Sorry best I can add for now

Sent from my SM-A505F using Tapatalk

Hi, it runs direct from the battery so can be used with out ignition. Worked perfectly for a year or so.

Do you have a wiring diagram you could share? Or, perhaps a sketch then take a photo of it?

I suspect a bad connection, if the indicator on the switch lights with no relay connected, it sounds like a bad connection is not letting enough current to flow. Depending on how it's wired (positive or nagative switch), I might suspect the common, possible connected to the metal work of the car.

Robin

I am at work, so no pics, but I will have a check on connections. I wired direct to battery (+ve and -ve) to try and avoid bad earth issues, but it has seen a few water crossings since fitting!

Is the light bar a reputable brand? I've not had much luck with generic chinese LED lights. Test it by wiring direct to battery. The intermittent issue and the mystery switch light may be indicative of a failing circuit board in the light itself.
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Hi - ebay special. Will cut the wiring and try a direct supply to see if it is the light, which I am suspecting is the culprit.

Update time - was the fuse! Checked the light direct to battery, all good. Checked voltage before and after fuse (not sure why). Had a difference, so pulled the fuse. Contacts had corroded and fuse looked like it had been warm at some point. Cleaned contacts, swapped fuse, all working!

Good news, it is fixed. It had the look of a bad connection (something limiting current flow), I assume the fuse warming up contributed to the corrosion.

Robin