[jbd1974]

Hi All,
my 16 plate 24 kWh LEAF seems to have developed a periodic buzzing noise. It only happens when the ignition is off and not charging, and seems to be going pretty much constantly. This file (click) in dropbox shows the sound - anyone have any clue as to what it could be?

Cheers!

 

[DBMandrake]

That's a weird one. Is everything in the car working properly?

I can't think what that could be, it sounds a little bit like a relay or solenoid oscillating. Can you track the noise down to a specific area?

A small microphone on a stick going to some headphones (even using your phone) might help localise where the noise is coming from.

If it keeps making the noise regularly it shouldn't be too hard to track it down.

 

[jbd1974]

Sorry, should have said, it seems to be coming from the fuse box just to the right.
When (if) it stops raining I'll try to see if it is one of the relays.

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk

 

[Tandy0]

Is your 12v battery well charged? I wonder if it's got very low, and is having trouble engaging the relay to top itself up from the traction battery.

 

[jbd1974]

I'd had a similar thought. In the clip I was about to charge the original 12V battery for the 2nd time as a week earlier I'd gone to the car to find it completely dead. Topping it up didn't seem to make a difference to the noise, and since then I've replaced the battery as 5 years seems to be as good as it gets for a LEAF anyway.
The other notion I'd had was balancing the main pack, but for both I've no idea if the circuit runs through the fuse box at the right.

 

[DBMandrake]

It does indeed sound like a relay oscillating, and the location of sound is near the relay box, but as to the cause, not a clue if the 12v battery has already been replaced.

A couple of relays in mine click quite audibly about 2 minutes after the car is turned off, so it is definitely normal for there to be some delayed relay switching a while after turning the car off, but I've never heard anything ongoing like you're seeing.

 

[Hitstirrer]

Could it be that earlier arcing caused by low voltage has damaged the contacts which are now only operating on a small contact patch and being held artificially apart by carbon build-up? Perhaps a simple swap of the component when identified will sort it out.

 

[DBMandrake]

Could it be that earlier arcing caused by low voltage has damaged the contacts which are now only operating on a small contact patch and being held artificially apart by carbon build-up? Perhaps a simple swap of the component when identified will sort it out.

It could easily be a faulty relay, but identifying which one is the trick. One reason why I asked if anything appears to be not working in the car.

If it keeps periodically buzzing perhaps take the cover off the relay box then apply a finger to each relay in turn and wait for it to buzz to see if it can be pinned down to a specific relay?

 

[jbd1974]

Embarrassingly I couldn't get the fuse box cover off yesterday. I'll hopefully have another crack later today and (gingerly) touch the relays.

The car drives exactly as it should, with no issues that I've noticed.

 

[jbd1974]

It seems to be the green relay. A quick Google suggests that this is something to do with the ignition, but it's not 100% clear. I guess all roads now lead to Nissan unless anyone knows where I can buy a relay from!

 

[Hitstirrer]

Looks like you are not alone with this component fault.

2016 Leaf Green Ignition Relay - My Nissan Leaf Forum

www.mynissanleaf.com

 

[Hitstirrer]

A bit of overkill but not an outrageous cost to fix it.

284B7 4NM3A NISSAN LEAF FUSE BOX 284B74NM3A | eBay

<p dir="ltr">Working fuse box for leaf. Please match the part numbers with your own. This may need programming to the vehicle. Bit of damage to outer case. Thanks</p>

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[jbd1974]

Good find – I’d searched, but not found anything! I’m tempted by eBay as it’s easy and cheap (ish), but the voice in the back of my head always reminds me that the part could be at least as old as the one it replaces.

 

[jbd1974]

A bit of overkill but not an outrageous cost to fix it.

284B7 4NM3A NISSAN LEAF FUSE BOX 284B74NM3A | eBay

<p dir="ltr">Working fuse box for leaf. Please match the part numbers with your own. This may need programming to the vehicle. Bit of damage to outer case. Thanks</p>

www.ebay.co.uk

I couldn't resist. I'll report back when it's fitted.

 

[93591]

A bit of overkill but not an outrageous cost to fix it.

284B7 4NM3A NISSAN LEAF FUSE BOX 284B74NM3A | eBay

<p dir="ltr">Working fuse box for leaf. Please match the part numbers with your own. This may need programming to the vehicle. Bit of damage to outer case. Thanks</p>

www.ebay.co.uk

It appears the nisan juke has the same green relay but still can't find it on its own its always with a whole fuse box.

 

[Davy EV leaf]

can you swop the relay with another one the same in the fuse box to see if the problem migrates?

 

[jbd1974]

can you swop the relay with another one the same in the fuse box to see if the problem migrates?

They look bespoke, but I can't find definitive info to be sure

 

[jbd1974]

It appears the nisan juke has the same green relay but still can't find it on its own its always with a whole fuse box.

Mine is on route, but royal mail seem to be taking their time.
I also tried clearing the fault codes. Made me feel like I was trying, but it did no good...

 

[93591]

Mine is on route, but royal mail seem to be taking their time.
I also tried clearing the fault codes. Made me feel like I was trying, but it did no good...

Well I hope it works pal its odd that the part number is nowhere to be found

 

[jbd1974]

The "new" relay was in the post this morning. After some cursing about how tight the fit is and how thin the relay casing was, I can report that the relay is the symptom, not the cause. Should anyone need the part number of the green relay its CM1a-R-12V-H91.

Unfortunately it looks like a trip to Wigan Nissan is in order, and they don't normally inspire confidence in me...