Bongo Fury

When we got the Bongo back after its winter break at my folks a month or so ago, the radio wouldn't work. On checking the fuses I found that the 15A on my Willinton LB kit had blown, so I swapped it for a spare 10A. Result = working radio, and no indication of what had blown the fuse.

Last week I tried to fold the electric mirrors, using the dash switch. The switch was stuck fast in one position, and no amount of firm prodding would make it budge. They would adjust though! So, out came the mirror fold / adjust switch, and on separating the 2 halves revealed this:




I've bought another s/h switch, but before I fit it I'm curious why this one burned out: don't want the new one to set the van on fire! Anything I should check?

The same 15 Amp fuse is used for both Radio and the Mirrors (and several other Misc things), I suspect that the Mirror switch failed and blew the fuse.

g8dhe wrote: I suspect that the Mirror switch failed and blew the fuse.

That was my theory too.

I just wondered if there's anything else I should check before I just plug in a new switch.

The switches are known for breaking, and not always easy to find replacements normally its just the plastic parts but I would guess that the actual contact was released in yours which caused the problem when it slide about inside. I wouldn't think there is likely to be any other cause for it. Might be worth looking in the Breaking Bongo's section but I suspect you will need to have a call around the breakers or possibly you may find that other Mazda vehicles have the same or sufficiently identical part (Jaylee ?). I suspect a search will find the vehicle type you need other than Bongo's that is.

Mazda 323 or 626 switch is similar, but although it has the 4 way mirror adjustment, it lacks the switch for the retractable mirrors.

Thanks guys - that's great.

I've already found another switch: just wanted to make sure there wasn't a more sinister cause and that it was just a case of shorted out worn contacts on my old switch.

Sharkojoints wrote:Thanks guys - that's great.

I've already found another switch: just wanted to make sure there wasn't a more sinister cause and that it was just a case of shorted out worn contacts on my old switch.

I burned out a similar part of the switch when testing my mirror folder mod when locking the very first time... Had wired up the roll up module wrong.. Managed to fix mine..! Didn't fry as bad as that. just one short length of track on the PCB. Had no probs since.. http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... an+be+done

Check the old drivers door loom to make sure the mirror fold wires (2 of them for open & close) are not going to ground (shorting) due to a wire break somewhere near the bodywork first?? They may have even shorted on each-other!!?? This may have blown the fuse, but not before knackering the switch..???!!

I would hate to see you go through another switch...!

exellent shout guys

jaylee wrote:
Check the old drivers door loom to make sure the mirror fold wires (2 of them for open & close) are not going to ground (shorting) due to a wire break somewhere near the bodywork first?? They may have even shorted on each-other!!?? This may have blown the fuse, but not before knackering the switch..???!!

I would hate to see you go through another switch...!

This is what was worrying me. I'll have a look. Thanks!

Sharkojoints wrote:

jaylee wrote:
Check the old drivers door loom to make sure the mirror fold wires (2 of them for open & close) are not going to ground (shorting) due to a wire break somewhere near the bodywork first?? They may have even shorted on each-other!!?? This may have blown the fuse, but not before knackering the switch..???!!

I would hate to see you go through another switch...!

This is what was worrying me. I'll have a look. Thanks!

If you get any difficulty's i live in Box (other side of Bath from you.) Another theory (without being there to check.) (& the first thing noticed to go in the door loom is the window wires.) is it may have short to the window circuit??

I've done about four of these looms on different Bongos for the windows, & discovered unnoticed mirror/speaker wire breaks too! They are quite thin... (That ain't counting my own, which was easy by comparison to the others..)
I have born in mind you have the mirror/radio/lighter circuit on the leisure battery....

What do the windows run like like... Any inconsistency too!??