Electrical Gremlins/Battery drain

[CHUCKNADO]

Hello all,

2003 2.5 E85

Looking for a bit of assistance with an issue I may or may not have created by possibly or possibly not leaving the roof potentially down during a rainstorm because I maybe or maybe not, went out and got right pished up and forgot about it... but that's not important right now...

So the car dried out and all seemed fine for a few days, however I now have a battery drain unless I use the car everyday. I'd say it take around 48 hours and its totally flat.

I also have the following faults, including but not limited to:
1. Indicators work but the dashboard arrows to not, not even the relay click.
2. The back-light of the instrument dial will come on or off as it pleases, mostly it will stay on after the car is switched of... starting the engine and switching off again turns it off.
3. The wipers have no fast option. First and second position is intermittent speed, third is standard constant speed.
4. The key fob for the boot or central locking will only work about 20 minutes after turning the engine off.
5. Roof control is iffy. I currently use the roof in manual mode but the lock motor is fine... occasionally Ill get no response from the button.
6. Very occasionally when I go to start the car, the starter will turn the engine but it will not start... like its getting no fuel. If i leave it a minute, it will then work.

Sooooo... thats about it really so far... the battery seems fine but it is a BMW branded one... as the car is 17 years old, it can't be original... can it? Really don't want to get a new one if I dont have to...

Any clues on where to start?

Thanks in advance
C

 

[Mr Tidy]

Well if nothing else it sounds like you may (or may not) have had a good night out! :lol:

I'm no expert but I think I'd start by getting a code reader on it to see if any faults are logged.

I'd be surprised if it was the original battery, but I suppose it just might be. So if there are no fault codes, checking the static battery voltage against the voltage with the engine running would be my next step.

If there wasn't much difference in the readings I'd be heading off to see Bowser134 as he is local to me! :lol:

 

[CHUCKNADO]

Well if nothing else it sounds like you may (or may not) have had a good night out! :lol:

I'm no expert but I think I'd start by getting a code reader on it to see if any faults are logged.

I'd be surprised if it was the original battery, but I suppose it just might be. So if there are no fault codes, checking the static battery voltage against the voltage with the engine running would be my next step.

If there wasn't much difference in the readings I'd be heading off to see Bowser134 as he is local to me! :lol:

I was told i had a great night out thank you very much!

That is a good plan... I'm in Glasgow so ill check that out... has anyone ever used a Carly? Would that do thw trick?

Thanks again
C

 

[ph001]

CANBUS line has corruption.... usually caused by water / corrosion on airbag control module. If you remove the coinholder from the rear centre console you might be able to disconnect it. It will put your airbag light on but should clear all your other faults.

 

[CHUCKNADO]

CANBUS line has corruption.... usually caused by water / corrosion on airbag control module. If you remove the coinholder from the rear centre console you might be able to disconnect it. It will put your airbag light on but should clear all your other faults.

Amazing, ill try that. Certainly seems likely after the rain... good place for start... thanks

 

[CHUCKNADO]

Yep... that was it... ended up taking the rear panels off to get access. Disconnected the airbag control module cleaned it and sprayed with contact cleaner... im not sure if it still works or not... i think the corrosion got to the pins and 1 or 2 have turned to dust...

Thank you everyone

 

[ph001]

well done!