Has anyone got access to a proper electronic PCB cleaning bath?

Like the ones they use after flow soldering to remove all the flux etc?

Stupid stupid stupid stupid Renault/Nissan designers put the "fusebox"
in the engine compartment where it's impossible to keep it clean. It's
not even in a sealed box or 'potted'.

I noticed the other day that it had quite a lot of road salt on it. Then
on Friday we had a torrential downpour.

I went to get something out of the car - it unlocked ok. I pressed the
lock button then then got click click, click click, click click, that
wouldn't stop until I disconnected the battery.

Arse.

Had a think and measured battery voltage: 10V. Put it on charge and left
it overnight.

The next day, connected it all back up, doors lock and unlock no probs,
fixed it.

A while later, I noticed one foglight on, and then some magic smoke
coming from under the bonnet. Also a buzzing noise.

Arse again.

The smoke's coming from the "fusebox". I take it all apart, it's obvious
salt and water has got into it. Cleaned it as best as I can, but as far
as I can tell it's still shorting/tracking in some places.

Sticking it in a cleaning bath is the last straw to clutch at.

Why go to all this bother?

The replacement's around £400 I think. It's more than a fusebox, seems
to be some kind of immobiliser (and very effective it is too right now).
It's coded to the ECU and requires the Renault diagnostic kit to install
one (another £100 thank you sir). Can't use one from a breaker's afaik.

Arse, arse, arse *arse*.

 

If it can be coded by renault, you should be able to use a breakers, if you
do get it clean, use some ignition sealer on it afterwards to stop it going
again.

--


Nige,

'That's shot the fox'

Eunos Roadster (for summer)
Grand Cherokee (for winter)

 

I learned to hate Nissan/Renault electrics "designers" when I had my
Primera. That had *two* fuseboxes - one by the driver's right knee, in
the passenger compartment, and the other next to the battery.

 

More than that ITYF. Once I managed to extricate this this, which
involves unplugging approximately two million connectors, and unbolting
some huge cable, I found underneath yet another fuse panel.

I found out this thing's called a UPC, and is notorious for filling up
with water and sending _all_ the electrics haywire. Good news appears to
be I can find some s/h ones, and they don't appear to be coded to the
ECU. They do have to coded with the correct alternater type though ffs.

 

According to the "At long last" thread up there, you need isopropyl
alcohol, and acid/flux brushes. Both cheaply available off Ebay.

Apologies if this is teaching my grandma to suck eggs.

 

I've sprayed the whole think over and over and brushed where I can get
at, but I think it needs to be immersed.

<looks on ebay>

hmmm, a litre of IPA's quite cheap, I might get a couple of them and
bung it in the ultrasonic cleaner.

 

do you live near Watford? Geoff (raden) probably has the kit

although, as Dodger says, you can us isoprol aerosols

 

<Tom Jones>

That's not unusual.

</tj>

My Vectra has the everyday fuses by the right knee, a bunch of
injection and engine-related fuses under the bonnet and a couple of
racks of relays and the bonnet too. Most modern cars seem to follow
this principle.

 

Even the SOToyota has that - makes fault-finding a breeze, once
familiarity with the overly-complex wiring harness sets in. That only
takes a year or two.

 

Yes, I have one, but it doesn't work at the moment

Yup, IPA, then get some sort of conformal coating spray (RS /CP both do
a PCB lacquer)

 

Buying PCB lacquer is like buying Snotoiler Branded Oil for use on your
chainsaw, same as the ordinary stuff but 10 times the price. Ordinary
polyurethane lacquer from a tin from B&Q will do the self same job for a
lot less dosh.

 

What does pcb lacquer cost , a fiver?

So ... PU varnish must cost 50p

you've converted me

 

I've no idea where the fuses are in my car, and I've never needed to
know, and I'm quite happy with this situation.

Top Tip: Don't buy shit cars.

 

+1. I can't remember the last time I had to change a fuse in a car -
certainly 20+ years ago.

 

I can, but it was a Renault so darsy's point stands.

 

last one for me would have been around 15 years ago, or so, but that
was my SOPorsche 924S, which was >10 years old at the time.

Lovely car when it was working properly - otherwise a total pain in
the arse.

 

9 days, although it must be said the fuse had done its job in the face
of some provocation.

 

And mine had Renault electrics (and sometimes towed a trailer with
defective lights....)

 

Last week.

 

with all due respect[1] though, isn't this because you are a complete
vehicle-mong?

[1] you know what I mean.