MOT Light Show

[fastrack1966]

My 2.0 Maestro TD just failed its MOT on a mere 11 points. Thats not a PB for me, my best was 13 in an even older Maestro in 1995. Big puzzle was the lights, the only bit that I bother to check preMOT. They all worked, but after the test the only thing that worked was flashing the main beam.
Eventually I solved it, switch on the ignition. I'm only trying to reduce one item I don't have to fix - would be grateful if someone could advise:
1) Is it still a failure if the ignition has to be on?
2) If Yes what's going on? I can use a multimeter OK but steering column spaghetti is not my favourite pastime.
BrianJ

[E_T_V]

A scrap igntion switch box thing should plug into the existing loom and fix the light problems in less than an hour.

[fastrack1966]

Hi ETV

Which igntion switch box thingie?
I've undone the cowlings, removed the lighting stalk and the washer stalk, all seems fine. The wires going from the ignition switch disappear I don't know where.....At least I found out why my clock packed up a year ago. The TD is a Clubman

BrianJ

[E_T_V]

On the end of the ignition switch is a black cylindrical switch which controls the power to the accessory and starter and ignition circuits. It is just possible that one of these power supplies has gone due to a switch fault. Which particular lights don't work? As that might help pin point the problem. If you have some relays spare it might be worth swapping or testing the relays in the fusebox as I think one controls almost all the lighting.

[fastrack1966]

Thanks ETV

Found the ignition plastic circular block, checked it and it registers voltage on the brown wire with the ignition at zero.
Called the AA and he told me a dodge which raises my initial query about the MOT itself - he assured me a car cannot fail if turning off the ignition also turns off the lights. Possibly the MOT tester tried the lights with the ignition off - to say that is dumb is an understatement.
1) If my lights only work with the ignition on is that a fail?
2) Does anyone else's Maestro behave like this?

BrianJ

[H48HPE]

with the ignition off my car will only put the side lights and the tail lights on, the hazard lights will also work. the main headlights, indicators, fog and reversing lights will only work with the ignition on. The main beam will flash if the ignition is on or off.

Hope that helps

Andy

[fastrack1966]

Thanks everyone. I managed to convince them that this Maestro was not the only make of car that has this feature - ie you can't walk away and leave the lights on. Unless you leave the keys in there of course.
Another 12 year old Maestro rumbled through its MOT........
At the first test it failed the diesel emissions. Was the oil temp too low? It was 60 degrees. On the retest I thrashed it for half an hour, the test was late, and it was 71 degrees and passed easily. Is 71 degrees overkill, its a bit nerve racking driving like that in an old car!

BJ

[B18 GPC]

Thanks everyone. I managed to convince them that this Maestro was not the only make of car that has this feature - ie you can't walk away and leave the lights on. Unless you leave the keys in there of course.
Another 12 year old Maestro rumbled through its MOT........
At the first test it failed the diesel emissions. Was the oil temp too low? It was 60 degrees. On the retest I thrashed it for half an hour, the test was late, and it was 71 degrees and passed easily. Is 71 degrees overkill, its a bit nerve racking driving like that in an old car!

BJ


60 degress is the minumal our "Sun Diagnostic Platform" allows us to do . but the old computer had 80 degrees minumum temperature on it , so we make sure there a good 85 degrees for the higher pass rate.

[E_T_V]

A good thrash once in a while when the engine oil is up to temperature is actually a good thing for diesels as it clears all the accumulated soot from the cylinders and injectors. In order to perform the test the tester revs the engine to its maximum rpm so if you drive it gently all the time the sot comes out the exhaust when the MOT is done so making it fail. An italian tune up just before the MOT usually works wonders.

[awol]

An italian tune up just before the MOT usually works wonders.

What's an "italian tune up?" - thrash it for a little while once it's reached temperature?

[E_T_V]

What's an "italian tune up?" - thrash it for a little while once it's reached temperature?

Exactly right, not that I'm stereotyping italian driving at all! :D. Wait until the oil is up to temperature (note this takes longer than the water temperature), and then thrash it for a while. In gently driven diesels it is quite scary how much soot gets shot out of the exhaust but so long as everything is warm and well looked after then there should be no problems. (On the MOT they rev the engine until it hits its revlimiter/governor to test the smoke emissions).

[tony]

just a worthwhile note to add to etv's post. is make sure your cambelt is ok, and not overdue for a change before you start your tune-up :D

[B18 GPC]

:laugh: :giveup: been there , done that :horror: