Minor Issues

So today noticed a bit of oil on the ground under where I usually park the Land Rover.
[peg-image src=”http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aTc–oDibjE/VbfaxAAz0kI/AAAAAAAAMUg/qYLLZPZQLOw/s144-o/20150728_192153.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/100446983108465419613/20150728MinorIssues#6176645949313765954″ caption=”” type=”image” alt=”20150728_192153.jpg” image_size=”3264×1836″ ]

So then I had a look underneath, and found that there is a very clean patch of aluminium on the gearbox/transfer case.
[peg-image src=”http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EJlqPIdvrx8/VbfaxHzCzVI/AAAAAAAAMUE/NTB661vxtHU/s144-o/20150728_195515.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/100446983108465419613/20150728MinorIssues#6176645951403511122″ caption=”” type=”image” alt=”20150728_195515.jpg” image_size=”1836×3264″ ]

Then I assessed the amount of oil, the rate at which it drips, I did not even see half a drip form in an hour, so that’s fine. It’s just the Land Rover marking it’s parking space.

I did notice that the tyres are pretty cut up, I imagine form all flint;
[peg-image src=”http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BgNMvitqTow/VbfaxCi03EI/AAAAAAAAMUE/4rPpDtqjwbQ/s144-o/20150728_192129.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/100446983108465419613/20150728MinorIssues#6176645949993311298″ caption=”” type=”image” alt=”20150728_192129.jpg” image_size=”1836×3264″ ]

And that there is a rather a lot of sharp nasty mud and flint shards all over the upper surfaces of the underside.
[peg-image src=”http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ysKSqn2NuXg/VbfaxDQjHII/AAAAAAAAMUc/8M7QXsdgPIE/s144-o/20150728_192143.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/100446983108465419613/20150728MinorIssues#6176645950185086082″ caption=”” type=”image” alt=”20150728_192143.jpg” image_size=”3264×1836″ ]

I was finished up having tinkered a little, so I went to put the Land Rover back against the door, I normally roll it out, then have to drive it back up the slope. I thought I’d check that the isolator was working, so I started it without the isolator engaged, it started perfectly. I decided that the isolator must be at fault, so I fiddled with it trying to get it to disengage, nothing would work. I moved the Land Rover forward and got my tools out again, I removed the isolator and checked both wires were not touching and tried the keys again, sure enough the dash lights all come on! Now I was confused, surely with no negative cable connection there can be no power in the land rover? Well, that’s true. So there must be another path for the electricity to take. Then I remembered that the seat box cover sometimes touched the negative terminal on the batter. I have now insulated the terminal and the battery box cover, now the isolator works as I expect it to!