Opel CorsaB 2001 electrical problems

[Richard_C]

Hi there I have an opel corsa B1.4 2001 bought it this week. It has a huge electrical problem, I looked today found quiet a few loose wires and a plug or two just hanging around. Many cables were stripped clean in a few spots, headlight switch melted 3 loose plugs in the engine bay and another huge problem when I drive at night headlights on I switch the engine off @ the ignition but it doesn't switch off, but when I switch the lights off the engine switches off. It doesn't do this in the day at all as the lights are off. I am from South Africa its a 2001 model where can I find a wiring diagram as well as the relay and fuse box layout? Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks Richard

 

[GMAN03]

These things don't happen on their own, previous owner either DIYed this mess or some "mechanic" went the cheap fix route on previous problems. Do you have any recourse against the seller? Otherwise it's going to cost a pretty penny to fix everything.

 

[GMAN03]

And to answer the question of wiring diagrams and fuse box layouts, a Haynes manual should help you out there. But diagnosing electrical issues when somebody has had their grubby paws all over it before isn't for the feint of heart.

 

[TheChamp]

It's sounds like what I would consider a nightmare, a start would be finding a good wiring loom at a scrap yard. The diagram would be very hard to find but do stay on Google as well as on the various Corsa forums and see, you could be lucky.

 

[Richard_C]

These things don't happen on their own, previous owner either DIYed this mess or some "mechanic" went the cheap fix route on previous problems. Do you have any recourse against the seller? Otherwise it's going to cost a pretty penny to fix everything.

I bought the car from a friend they were in a tight spot due to this whole covid pandemic. Agreed when I saw the hot mess straight away I said to myself it was a quick fix by someone who thought they knew what they were doing. Thanks for the advice will check out the Haynes manual. I did find a few on other forums most are for UK or so unclear not readable

 

[Richard_C]

It's sounds like what I would consider a nightmare, a start would be finding a good wiring loom at a scrap yard. The diagram would be very hard to find but do stay on Google as well as on the various Corsa forums and see, you could be lucky.

Nightmare is a a nice place way of putting it. Probably the best way is to get another harness pretty scarce but I think it's the best way out thanks for your input.

 

[TheChamp]

Don't worry too much about plugs that are not connected, in some cases it is standard like that, because their functionality is not active on your model.

 

[Richard_C]

Don't worry too much about plugs that are not connected, in some cases it is standard like that, because their functionality is not active on your model.

. Makes sense thanks for your advice and input much appreciated

 

[Mekon]

You can try a place called Lopec if you in the JHB area for Opel spares. They might have a harness. Or Springbok scrapyard or Ace scrapyard in Springs. Those places are huge.

 

[Stokstert]

If the brake lights are life even when the ignition is switched off on your model, it might be that someone has forced a single filament globe into a double filament (brake and parking light in one light) globe fitting. When you press the brake pedal, the power flows back from the brake light into the parking light harness. While the light switch is turned on, the power is fed back to the ignition switch common.
As long as the light switch is on and your foot on the brake, you can turn off the ignition, but the engine will not switch off until you switch off either the light switch or take your foot off the brake pedal.
This problem is very difficult to diagnose because no one will think that a wrong globe in a brake/parking light can be the reason.
Good luck with your diagnostics.

 

[Richard_C]

You can try a place called Lopec if you in the JHB area for Opel spares. They might have a harness. Or Springbok scrapyard or Ace scrapyard in Springs. Those places are huge.

I know all those places just forgot about them thanks for this

 

[Richard_C]

If the brake lights are life even when the ignition is switched off on your model, it might be that someone has forced a single filament globe into a double filament (brake and parking light in one light) globe fitting. When you press the brake pedal, the power flows back from the brake light into the parking light harness. While the light switch is turned on, the power is fed back to the ignition switch common.
As long as the light switch is on and your foot on the brake, you can turn off the ignition, but the engine will not switch off until you switch off either the light switch or take your foot off the brake pedal.
This problem is very difficult to diagnose because no one will think that a wrong globe in a brake/parking light can be the reason.
Good luck with your diagnostics.

I will take a look at that test it for sure. My father in law did mention to me the other day that my one brake light was very bright and the other basically not visible at all. Thank you for your advice will let you know what the results are. I have found a few more problems since I posted this thread. Do you have a WhatsApp number I can contact you on if possible? You can email it to me which would be better as posting on a public forum is not always a good idea. My email :[email protected]

 

[Richard_C]

Hi guys,

I am very pleased to announce my delema regarding this problem has been resolved . Thank you to everyone for their advice and input, the left taillight had a single contact globe inserted in the taillight/brake light slot. I have picked up numerous other problems since this last post I am slowly sorting them out.
The latest problems I need advice on is as follows.. The heat gauge is faulty it jumps up and down when starting, driving & when I apply brakes I was told the temperature sensor needs to be replaced on further inspection I noticed the two wires on the plug had exposed copper cable, so I thought maybe it's shorting and causing the problem /strange behavior is that possible?

So onto the next problem as a result of the above mentioned I didn't notice the fan had stopped working so Wednesday evening a water pipe burst not the thick main pipes luckily, the thinner pipe going into the block and I think it joins up with the cars heater system just under the injector rail.... I checked all the fuses none blown i know there are relays next to the brake booster how can I test those without a multi meter or isn't it possible? Are all 3 relays for the radiator fan?
I have the SG radiator now I have a dumb question regarding this I'm not familiar with Corsa's I looked for the thermostat and I can't find it where is it located please help I also found a loose plug with the fan plug where does it belong?

Last question I am basically stripping the car in front so I can fix various problems, today I found a sensor hanging around behind the bumper turned out to be the outside temperature sensor I saw the plastic pin in the middle is barely attached to the sensor it's been working relatively okay I plugged it back in now no temperature reading on display. The plastic pin was broken when I took it out I also want to know where is the correct location for the item?

My apologies for the extremely long post but I needed to ask all these questions. I have attached photo's of the sensor if needed.

Thank you in advance guys

 

[TheChamp]

Well done on the progress you have done, you will get it to be in a decent condition ultimately, special shout out to Stokstert for that good advice.

latest problems I need advice on is asfollows.. The heat gauge is faulty it jumps up and down when starting, driving & when I apply brakes I was told the temperature sensor needs to be replaced on further inspection I noticed the two wires on the plug had exposed copper cable, so I thought maybe it's shorting and causing the problem /strange behavior is that possible?

The sensor with the two wires located close to the coil is the coolant temperature sensor, even if it was shorting it would not make your gauge go haywire, it will just cause your fans to go on.

The sensor you are looking for has one wire, standing in front of your car looking into the engine bay on your left, close to the alternator around the intake manifold. It could be the wire or the sensor, there is a way to test, I have just forgotten how it's done, you can Google it. You can also give it a good clean since it could have some corrosion on the contact.

So onto the next problem as a result of the above mentioned I didn't notice the fan had stopped working so Wednesday evening a water pipe burst not the thick main pipes luckily, the thinner pipe going into the block and I think it joins up with the cars heater system just under the injector rail.... I checked all the fuses none blown i know there are relays next to the brake booster how can I test those without a multi meter or isn't it possible? Are all 3 relays for the radiator fan?
I have the SG radiator now I have a dumb question regarding this I'm not familiar with Corsa's I looked for the thermostat and I can't find it where is it located please help I also found a loose plug with the fan plug where does it belong?

Did the pipe burst due to overheating or just old age? They do develop cracks over time. The fan does not run all the time, it runs when it's necessary and stops when it's not needed, even when the car is fully warmed up, to test the fan just disconnect the coolant temperature sensor, the one at the coil, the fan should come on when you put the car on.

Refer to this thread

Opel Corsa Lite sport 1.4 2007 model temperature sensor location ?

Can anyone help me with a picture of where the water temperature sensor is on Opel Corsa Lite sport 1.4 2007 model I have a car thats temp shows 0 on the dashboard and someone bypassed and made the cooling fan on all the time. Id like to return to normal operation. Regards Colin

mybroadband.co.za

The thermostat is also on your left when looking the engine, metal piece that goes between the cam pulley and the engine, connected to the big pipe from the radiator. You can't change without interfering with the cam belt and timing.

The outside temperature sensor is not big deal mount it anywhere on the bumper if you cannot find the original location.

 

[Richard_C]

Yes thanks a million Stokstert for all your help and support regarding my issues I greatly appreciate it.
@ The Champ thanks a million to you for all your help and support regarding this current issue. I will follow all your steps and see what I can do. Pipe might have burst due to age but I felt the main water pipes and they were rock hard I know that's not a good sign correct? I will take photo's if needed and if I get stuck I will ask your help here. Once again thank you I greatly appreciate it have a great day

 

[PC_Corsa_Utility]

Sorry to revive this thread but in an earlier post TheChamp states in relation to the temperature sensor for the temperature gauge: "The sensor you are looking for has one wire, standing in front of your car looking into the engine bay on your left, close to the alternator around the intake manifold. It could be the wire or the sensor, there is a way to test, I have just forgotten how it's done, you can Google it. You can also give it a good clean since it could have some corrosion on the contact."

OK - I have spent the best part of an hour trying to locate this sensor without success. I know that it is almost impossible to take a photo of the location, but are there any closer directions to find it e.g. a bit to the left and about 5 cm down from the cylinder1 injector, or higher than the fuel rail between the injectors for cylinders 1 and 2 ...?

 

[TheChamp]

Sorry to revive this thread but in an earlier post TheChamp states in relation to the temperature sensor for the temperature gauge: "The sensor you are looking for has one wire, standing in front of your car looking into the engine bay on your left, close to the alternator around the intake manifold. It could be the wire or the sensor, there is a way to test, I have just forgotten how it's done, you can Google it. You can also give it a good clean since it could have some corrosion on the contact."

OK - I have spent the best part of an hour trying to locate this sensor without success. I know that it is almost impossible to take a photo of the location, but are there any closer directions to find it e.g. a bit to the left and about 5 cm down from the cylinder1 injector, or higher than the fuel rail between the injectors for cylinders 1 and 2 ...?

The sensor is under the PCV pipe as marked on the picture. There were some slight modifications on the utility and maybe it has been moved on yours but I doubt it since the engine is the same.

 

[PC_Corsa_Utility]

The sensor is under the PCV pipe as marked on the picture. There were some slight modifications on the utility and maybe it has been moved on yours but I doubt it since the engine is the same.

Thank you TheChamp but my utility's engine seems to be one of the exceptions. This is a picture of the area below the PVC pipe ...

 

[TheChamp]

Thank you TheChamp but my utility's engine seems to be one of the exceptions. This is a picture of the area below the PVC pipe ...

Will try to take a picture.

 

[TheChamp]

Here is the sensor for the temp gage, just next to the first injector.