Reference

Electrical system

~3min read

Note: For problems associated with the starting system, refer to the faults listed under "Engine" earlier in this Section.

Battery will not hold a charge for more than a few days

  • Battery defective internally.
  • Battery terminal connections loose or corroded.
  • Auxiliary drivebelt worn or incorrectly adjusted.
  • Alternator not charging at correct output .
  • Alternator or voltage regulator faulty.
  • Short-circuit causing continual battery drain.

Ignition/no-charge warning light remains illuminated with engine running

  • Auxiliary drivebelt broken, worn, or incorrectly adjusted.
  • Alternator brushes worn, sticking, or dirty.
  • Alternator brush springs weak or broken.
  • Internal fault in alternator or voltage regulator.
  • Broken, disconnected, or loose wiring in charging circuit.

Ignition/no-charge warning light fails to come on

  • Warning light bulb blown.
  • Broken, disconnected, or loose wiring in warning light circuit.
  • Alternator faulty.

Lights inoperative

  • Bulb blown.
  • Corrosion of bulb or bulbholder contacts.
  • Blown fuse.
  • Faulty relay.
  • Broken, loose, or disconnected wiring.
  • Faulty switch.

Instrument readings inaccurate or erratic

Instrument readings increase with engine speed

  • Faulty voltage regulator.

Fuel or temperature gauges give no reading

  • Faulty gauge sender unit.
  • Wiring open-circuit.
  • Faulty gauge.

Fuel or temperature gauges give continuous maximum reading

  • Faulty gauge sender unit .
  • Wiring short-circuit .
  • Faulty gauge.

Horn inoperative, or unsatisfactory in operation

Horn operates all the time

  • Horn push either earthed or stuck down.
  • Horn cable-to-horn push earthed.

Horn fails to operate

  • Blown fuse .
  • Cable or cable connections loose, broken or disconnected.
  • Faulty horn.

Horn emits intermittent or unsatisfactory sound

  • Cable connections loose .
  • Horn mountings loose .
  • Faulty horn.

Windscreen/tailgate wipers inoperative, or unsatisfactory in operation

Wipers fail to operate, or operate very slowly

  • Wiper blades stuck to screen, or linkage seized or binding.
  • Blown fuse .
  • Cable or cable connections loose, broken or disconnected.
  • Faulty relay.
  • Faulty wiper motor.

Wiper blades sweep over too large or too small an area of the glass

  • Wiper arms incorrectly positioned on spindles .
  • Excessive wear of wiper linkage.
  • Wiper motor or linkage mountings loose or insecure.

Wiper blades fail to clean the glass effectively

  • Wiper blade rubbers worn or perished .
  • Wiper arm tension springs broken, or arm pivots seized .
  • Insufficient windscreen washer additive to adequately remove road film.

Windscreen/tailgate washers inoperative, or unsatisfactory in operation

One or more washer jets inoperative

  • Blocked washer jet.
  • Disconnected, kinked or restricted fluid hose .
  • Insufficient fluid in washer reservoir.

Washer pump fails to operate

  • Broken or disconnected wiring or connections.
  • Blown fuse.
  • Faulty washer switch.
  • Faulty washer pump.

Washer pump runs for some time before fluid is emitted from jets

  • Faulty one-way valve in fluid supply hose.

Electric windows inoperative, or unsatisfactory in operation

Window glass will only move in one direction

  • Faulty switch.

Window glass slow to move

  • Incorrectly-adjusted door glass guide channels.
  • Regulator seized or damaged, or in need of lubrication.
  • Door internal components or trim fouling regulator.
  • Faulty motor.

Window glass fails to move

  • Incorrectly-adjusted door glass guide channels.
  • Blown fuse.
  • Faulty relay.
  • Broken or disconnected wiring or connections.
  • Faulty motor.

Central locking system inoperative, or unsatisfactory in operation

Complete system failure

  • Blown fuse.
  • Faulty relay .
  • Broken or disconnected wiring or connections.
  • Faulty control unit.

Latch locks but will not unlock, or unlocks but will not lock

  • Faulty master switch .
  • Broken or disconnected latch operating rods or levers.
  • Faulty relay.
  • Faulty control unit.

One solenoid/motor fails to operate

  • Broken or disconnected wiring or connections .
  • Faulty solenoid/motor .
  • Broken, binding or disconnected latch operating rods or levers .
  • Fault in door latch .

Test yourself

A quick Opel Corsa quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.