E85 2004 Electrical Woes

[MCrid]

Hi all, I did raise a thread on this previously, but thought it had gone away with a replacement battery, but the symptoms came back 2 months later :x

Here they are in detail:

Airbag light is on. Tried reading with code reader - Rarely works. When it does work its code 93E7 Undervoltage. Battery is less than 6 months old

Indicators don't work inside, but work perfect outside

After EXACTLY 2 minutes of driving or idling (timed and was exactly 2 mins), the dashboard display gets really dim and the dials light up, almost as if the headlights are on, but they aren't.

The CD player (original business CD) clock stops at the time the display goes dim (as above). It still registers the time, just the minutes / hours do not change

Only sidelights are working even with dial on full lights. Full beam / flash lights doesn’t work either

Battery drains over a week or so I have been taking negative wire off between uses

Central Locking works to unlock, but not to lock and boot button doesn't work although inside button for boot does

The doors no longer auto lock when above 10 mph

Took it to my usual mechanics, who couldn't get their reader to work either. They checked the carpets etc for wet but there was none.

It almost feels like some kind of transport mode, but probably isn't

Anyone else had anything similar?

Alternatively, anyone know of a good auto electrical place in or around the Bristol area?

Thanks

Mark

 

[colb]

If it was Transport Mode you wouldn't have the aircon or blower motor working and the radio would be shut down as the car tries to conserve energy in the low battery for starting. First check I would make it the positive battery cable in the boot where the pyro disconnection unit is by the battery. Make sure the cables in that are making good connection, they have been known to loosen up making a bad connection to the cable that runs to the starter and the cable that runs to the fuse box. From the symptoms you describe I would suspect a bad connection there or at the fuse box end.

 

[Chris_D]

Sounds like a poor/failing ground point to me.
Inspect, clean, re-tighten all ground terminals and connections.

 

[MCrid]

Thanks for the advice both.

Do you know where the grounds are supposed to be so I can take a look?

It's a 2004 2.2 E85

Thanks

Mark

 

[jamesditchy]

I had similar problems with mine. Turned out to be a corrupt device on the canbus circuit. Mine was an iPod interface. I had an iPod lead(old style connector) in glove box. Interface was behind radio, once removed all electrics worked perfect. Looked like this, maybe different on yours but worth a try.

 

[MCrid]

I had similar problems with mine. Turned out to be a corrupt device on the canbus circuit. Mine was an iPod interface. I had an iPod lead(old style connector) in glove box. Interface was behind radio, once removed all electrics worked perfect. Looked like this, maybe different on yours but worth a try.

That's interesting as I have a Parrot MKI9200 handsfree, bluetooth device connected at the moment.

Is the back of the stereo easy to get to so I can just unplug it to see?

Many thanks

Mark

 

[Dr. Zed]

[ref]MCrid[/ref],

Stereo is quite easy to remove. Have a search on YouTube as it's hard to explain but there will be two clips holding the vents in place above the radio. Get some plastic pry tools in there and as you lever them down the vent will come out. From there you'll see the screws holding the radio in.

 

[1000rr]

Airbag module is kaput.

Take the oddments tray off in between the seats at rear by rear door inside the cabin, and unplug the module… then start it… see if it all works.

 

[Ewazix]

I've seen loads of threads on here over the years where Parrot units, GapTech roof modules, ipod kit and even OEM head units have been the source electrical gremlins, the power source and installation seems to be critical and they can drain the battery when they go rogue.

 

[MCrid]

Thanks for the further advice guys

I've seen loads of threads on here over the years where Parrot units, GapTech roof modules, ipod kit and even OEM head units have been the source electrical gremlins, the power source and installation seems to be critical and they can drain the battery when they go rogue.

I also have the gaptech module installed. Do you know where its installed and how to get to it?

Thanks

Mark

 

[Ewazix]

Thanks for the further advice guys

I've seen loads of threads on here over the years where Parrot units, GapTech roof modules, ipod kit and even OEM head units have been the source electrical gremlins, the power source and installation seems to be critical and they can drain the battery when they go rogue.

I also have the gaptech module installed. Do you know where its installed and how to get to it?

Thanks

Mark

Should be a case of removing the ashtray then the centre consul, but I'm sure someone with the kit installed will jump in ...

 

[jamesditchy]

Thanks for the further advice guys

I've seen loads of threads on here over the years where Parrot units, GapTech roof modules, ipod kit and even OEM head units have been the source electrical gremlins, the power source and installation seems to be critical and they can drain the battery when they go rogue.

I also have the gaptech module installed. Do you know where its installed and how to get to it?

Thanks

Mark

Unplug each item one a a time once you find them and check indicators etc each time. As soon as I unplugged the rogue device everything worked perfectly

 

[bz4kev]

Airbag module is kaput.

Take the oddments tray off in between the seats at rear by rear door inside the cabin, and unplug the module… then start it… see if it all works.

that is exactly the same as mine same symptoms checked centre airbag module after unplugged could see what I can only describe as jelly was seen on terminal most probably from water ingress once unplugged everything worked fine need to replace module

 

[MCrid]

Thanks again all for the pointers.

I have the stereo out, but am having trouble getting the wires out from the back.

Any tips? I tried to just pull them but felt some resistance so stopped.

There are tabs and things there, but didn't seem to do anything

Thanks

Mark

 

[MCrid]

Airbag module is kaput.

Take the oddments tray off in between the seats at rear by rear door inside the cabin, and unplug the module… then start it… see if it all works.

that is exactly the same as mine same symptoms checked centre airbag module after unplugged could see what I can only describe as jelly was seen on terminal most probably from water ingress once unplugged everything worked fine need to replace module

Thanks a lot. Is there an easy way to get to the airbag module without removing the centre console?

I saw remove the coin tray but not sure how to go about doing that without damaging it

Thanks

Mark

 

[1000rr]

Use a trim removal tool or a plastic knife. It easily pops out.

You’ll see the connector… unplug it and see if symptoms go.

Unfortunately, you’ll need to remove the centre trim to replace it, but to unplug it, you dont.

 

[jamesditchy]

Use a trim removal tool or a plastic knife. It easily pops out.

You’ll see the connector… unplug it and see if symptoms go.

Unfortunately, you’ll need to remove the centre trim to replace it, but to unplug it, you dont.

If it is that don't they need coding to the car with software?

 

[MCrid]

Use a trim removal tool or a plastic knife. It easily pops out.

You’ll see the connector… unplug it and see if symptoms go.

Unfortunately, you’ll need to remove the centre trim to replace it, but to unplug it, you dont.

Great, thanks a lot, is it this connector here?:

2022-02-08_12-46-19 by mcridland, on Flickr

I assume it's the black connector at the top? How does it come off? Sorry for all the questions, but I am quite clumsy and don't want to just yank on it if it needs to be released somewhere. I have a habit of breaking things with brute force

Thanks

Mark

 

[1000rr]

The green one.

 

[MCrid]

The green one.

Great thanks.

Ok I have taken the connector off and it appears my issue is not the Airbag module as the symptoms persist

Does anyone know what these are (the blue and red connectors) and what they are called?:

2022-02-08_01-35-28 by mcridland, on Flickr

I assume that they are connectors that are used for adding in extra electricals such as illuminated gearknobs and gaptech etc.

Can I just pry them open and take out the wires that aren't needed or is it more complicated than that?

Again, many thanks for any help.

Mark