Help I've done something really stupid!

[Bill_OR]

I need ideas please!
I've been trying to replace a broken high level front side light on my 2012 Auto-Trail Apache - it had filled with water and one of the connections had rotted.

I have bought the new side light and I was in the process of removing the old one - when I managed to let one of the wires slip inside the hole. I cannot see it to retrieve it. Any ideas of how find it?

Thanks,
Bill

 

[tribalbrit]

try a piece of hooked wire and carefully see if you can find the end of the lost wire

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Is it just a bare ended wire? If so that's going to be a struggle, unless you can locate the other end of the loom and tie a cord to one wire left and then pull them back down, tape them together and then pull the pair back to there original location. However, if the cables are fixed at any point, that will make it very difficult.
Mike.

 

[Bill_OR]

It's dropped somewhere in the 'dome' above the driver. I think I'd have to strip out all the cupboards to get at the lining. Here's a photo of where the light goes so you can see my predicament. I think I'll have to cancel the MOT test tomorrow :-(

My next step is to try to cut away the area Ive marked in red in order to try to see the wire. Note that the existing wire seems to be vertical so I suspect that the wire that I've lost is down there too.

 

[tribalbrit]

Cut the hole bigger and see what you can see. It might just be out of sight... fingers crossed.

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[Spriddler]

It's dropped somewhere in the 'dome' above the driver. I think I'd have to strip out all the cupboards to get at the lining. Here's a photo of where the light goes so you can see my predicament. I think I'll have to cancel the MOT test tomorrow :-(

My next step is to try to cut away the area Ive marked in red in order to try to see the wire. Note that the existing wire seems to be vertical so I suspect that the wire that I've lost is down there too.

View attachment 597465

As a very last resort and if the lost wire isn't from a switch, find the other end of the wire that you still have. Hopefully the end of the lost wire will also be there. Attach a new length of twin wire very securely to the end (taped as well to avoid it snagging) and pull it through. You'll then have two wires at both ends.
Obviously, if the wire isn't keen to be pulled through it may be secured or pinched somewhere (at a clip, bend or through internal wall insulation) so don't proceed.

 

[Odd-no-more]

Can you borrow some cable rods from an electrician? Or buy a set They come with a hook and may be able to get it

Draper Toolbox Cable Access Kit

The Draper Toolbox Cable Access Kit is a useful addition to the electrician's toolbox. It helps you gain access to wires and cables in inaccessible places. If you have to run or remove wires under floorboards, across ceilings or up into wall cavities, this set has everything you need.The kit...

www.toolstation.com

 

[meanders]

One of these, or similar, should help. Some come with a tiny end probe. That will at least tell you where to fish.

Other makes and suppliers are available.

 

[monzer]

I wouldn't think it would have fallen very far unless there was a bit of tension on it. Pulling the black wire back through and reattaching both sounds the best idea in theory but not so sure how it would cope in practice. I'd be tempted to cut a bit out where your photo is and try and locate it there.

 

[ericroy]

As suggested above, I would try using an endoscope with a hook to do some intelligent fishing before starting to make cuts. Cutting would be my last resort.

Depending on how far the wire has gone, tweezers or forceps might be an option to try if wanting to avoid the cost of a borescope/endoscope.

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[Revolvor]

. I think I'll have to cancel the MOT test tomorrow :-(

Others may confirm, but I don't believe the high-level marker lights are checked in an MOT.

 

[The Wino]

Hopefully the one you've dropped is a negative which is probably earthed through the chassis. Try a meter on the positive you have left and a wire to earth if you have power see if there's an easier earth to run a wire to like maybe an interior light

 

[Geistguy]

Others may confirm, but I don't believe the high-level marker lights are checked in an MOT.

My understanding is that when a light is part of the vehicle it has to work to pass the MOT.

 

[Landy Andy]

If it has no end you are unlikely to be able to hook it. The electricians cable hooks are probably going to be too big for the hole. I would try to get it by putting a hose (possibly garden hose) on to the end of a hoover and see if you can suck it up into the end of the pipe then draw it out of the hole catching it as is appears.

 

[Puddleduck]

Small magnet securely fastened to the end of a line and go fishing?

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[Bill_OR]

I think I'm going to try the inspection camera route - the only trouble is that I don't have one and it's Sunday - however I can borrow one tomorrow.
Thanks for all your ideas.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Don't be scared to cut the hole bigger like this you can always stick the light fitting back on with white Stixall

 

[Speve]

I have done it by wrapping a good sticky piece of gaffer tape with sticky side out to the end of a stiff fishing wire you can usually stick it to the wire you need

 

[Richard n Ann]

Reminds me of fitting air con remotes, sometimes you have to make a big hole in the plasterboard to fish the wire through, but as long as the remote covers it, happy days

 

[rosalan]

Perhaps have a look at the other headlamp wiring. Sometimes the chassis may differ slightly and you could perhaps see where it or the other wires join the loom.

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[Diabalo]

This may help Grabber Tool from Amazon

 

[Bill_OR]

Dane - thanks for the link to the grabber tool. First I have to locate the lost wire using the inspection camera and then, assuming I can find it, I will need something to pull it back. The grabber tool looks like the way to do this.
By the way, I've found an inspection camera that I can borrow tomorrow so all it not lost... just yet.

 

[bigalw35]

Small magnet securely fastened to the end of a line and go fishing?

if the wire is copper, which I suspect it is, its NON magnetic

 

[tonyidle]

Try a vacuum cleaner over the hole.

 

[Bill_OR]

I've given up - the motorhome is going to a garage today for a service and MOT and they have agreed to fix it first before they do anything else. I still cannot believe I did something quite so stupid!

Thanks for all your advice.

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[Coolcats]

I need ideas please!
I've been trying to replace a broken high level front side light on my 2012 Auto-Trail Apache - it had filled with water and one of the connections had rotted.

I have bought the new side light and I was in the process of removing the old one - when I managed to let one of the wires slip inside the hole. I cannot see it to retrieve it. Any ideas of how find it?

Thanks,
Bill

Sorry to hear about the wire going astray sometimes a good lamp/torch and a mirror helps.

 

[PP Bear]

Hope it’s not going to be 6 hours labour charge.

I have the same lights on my AT and had problems with mine, only at the rear. You should have seen the disgusting mess they made when fitted at the factory.

The wiring to the rear lights, literally came across the rear chassis and straight up to the light fitting. No insulation over the wires, no tape to hold them together and free to corrode in all that nature throws at us.

Hope it’s sorted asap for you

Just a few pictures of the rear light wiring and the AT workmanship involved in high end quality motorhomes.

 

[Puddleduck]

if the wire is copper, which I suspect it is, its NON magnetic

I was hoping it might be a copper alloy with some magnetic residual, just an idea.

If I was the OP I think I would not spend too long on trying to fish it out but go for a replacement. With old wires and insulation you never know what condition they are in.

 

[Realist]

Me I’ve done that in the past but I would of used an inspection camera with grabber as below.

 

[Bill_OR]

Realist - just in case the garage can't sort it for me please will you let me know where you bought the kit?

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