Cutout over bumps?

[alecjw]

Hi,
I've noticed something odd with my C5: I'll be going along with light motor load - inside the green section, going on the flat. Motor presumably running nice and cool. Then when I go over even the smallest bump in the road, the motor will cut out without  without warning - my motor load indicator flashes but the battery indicator doesn't. If i switch off the ignition then switch it back on again, it will carry on going quite happily until the next bump. I try to avoid potholes and the like, but this happens even on small bumps eg where they've dug a trench through the road and filled it in. Sometimes even it's just barely visible dips in the road surface which I only notice as a slight shaking of the chassis when I go over them.

Anyone know what's up here? Could it be some sort of contact intermittency triggered by the shaking?

Thanks
Alec

[C5 ENTHUSIAST + RESTORER]

Hi do you have the original key switch if so the problem is there they have allways been a problem.
Bye Chas

[alecjw]

Hi do you have the original key switch if so the problem is there they have allways been a problem.
Bye Chas

Chas, I do indeed. Is this a known bug with it? As I mentioned in another thread, I'm looking to replace the batteries and may do away with the original battery top and keyswitch. That won't be 'till the new year though.

[C5 ENTHUSIAST + RESTORER]

Yes it is ....Chas

[alecjw]

Yes it is ....Chas

I see. Is it just the vibration breaking the contact in the keyswitch mechanism? I wonder if spraying a bit of contact cleaner in it and on the battery contacts will help?

[C5 ENTHUSIAST + RESTORER]

You could try it and see ....

[kamilb1998]

I had this issue once when using a different battery top to usual. I bent the contacts on the battery top back, towards the back of the C5, a tad and I haven't had an issue since.

[alecjw]

Chas, kamilb1998: I tried both of these things (contact cleaner and bending the contacts) and the combination of the two seems to have worked. I drove it all the way from the engineering dept back to my house (about 4km) without a single cutout. Horray! Thanks for the suggestions.

[dansretropod]

You could try one of Chas's wiring kits, I wouldn't trust the old key switch assembly

[kamilb1998]

People do criticise the original key switch but I think its perfectly adequate if maintained well. I use my C5 daily and have done a good few thousand miles with the key switch and I can't remember the last time it gave me any issues.