Electrics not working, but some are..help..?!

[Surrey-Z4]

Hi,

I went out this morning, roof down, and all was fine. About 10 mins of driving and the red airbag light came on on the dash. Also noticed then that the backlighting of the radio and dashboard were in the dim night setting.

None of the dashboard lights seem to work, for example the headlights work and turn on but nothing shows on the dashboard. Same for the indicators which work but no light on the dash and no clicking sounds when they flash.

The radio is dim but on, but no sound.

The windows work as normal.

The roof is down but doesn’t respond to anything.

The internal central locking button works as normal and so does the key.

So it seems the dash lights don’t work, except for the airbag which is permanently on and the roof doesn’t work. And the indicators don’t “click”.

The car is running and driving as normal.

There could be more but that’s what I’ve found so far!

Has anyone come across this before or is able to offer any help?!

Many thanks in advance,

John (near Woking).

 

[Sidewaze Samm]

First thing... how old is the battery? What state is it in?
Zeds are very sensitive to a weak battery and can throw up all sorts of warning lights etc but still start the engine. From experience, I know this can happen quite suddenly and without any warning at all. I changed the battery three monthe ago, and all's been fine since.

 

[Mr Tidy]

A dying battery could well be the issue - can you test it's voltage with and without the engine running?

Or could it be the dreaded Transport Mode striking again?

 

[ph001]

Sounds more like CANBUS corruption due to the airbag control module getting wet. If you pull out the oddments recess on the centre console just back between the seats you should be able to unplug the connector from it. Your airbag light will stay on but everything else should work again. Permanent solution is repair or replacement of airbag control module.

 

[jamesditchy]

Does your car have an ipod connector in the glove box?

 

[Surrey-Z4]

Hi,

Thanks for the quick replies.

The battery was new earlier this year so I’m hoping it’s not that.

I’ll try unplugging the connector in the centre console - should I then reconnect it or leave it disconnected?

And yes, I think there is one of the old style wide iPod connectors in the glove box - how might that be related/useful please?

Thanks,

John

 

[jamesditchy]

Hi,

Thanks for the quick replies.

The battery was new earlier this year so I’m hoping it’s not that.

I’ll try unplugging the connector in the centre console - should I then reconnect it or leave it disconnected?

And yes, I think there is one of the old style wide iPod connectors in the glove box - how might that be related/useful please?

Thanks,

John

I've been having exactly the same problems. Finally last week dashboard indicators not showing but working outside. PDC not working. Radio on but couldn't adjust volume. Roof wouldn't work.

Popped every fuse, disconnected everything electrical as a trial and error exercise. Finally removed radio and found the ipod interface module tucked away under radio. Disconnected both leads and hey presto, everything back to life.

 

[Surrey-Z4]

Hi,

Thanks for the quick replies.

The battery was new earlier this year so I’m hoping it’s not that.

I’ll try unplugging the connector in the centre console - should I then reconnect it or leave it disconnected?

And yes, I think there is one of the old style wide iPod connectors in the glove box - how might that be related/useful please?

Thanks,

John

I've been having exactly the same problems. Finally last week dashboard indicators not showing but working outside. PDC not working. Radio on but couldn't adjust volume. Roof wouldn't work.

Popped every fuse, disconnected everything electrical as a trial and error exercise. Finally removed radio and found the ipod interface module tucked away under radio. Disconnected both leads and hey presto, everything back to life.

Hi,

Probably a stupid question, but how do you remove the radio to get to the iPod module?

Also, when I went to the car earlier today everything was working as normal.....typical!!

Will still try the suggestions here as I don’t want this to remain as an intermittent fault.

Thanks,

John.

 

[jamesditchy]

Hi,

Thanks for the quick replies.

The battery was new earlier this year so I’m hoping it’s not that.

I’ll try unplugging the connector in the centre console - should I then reconnect it or leave it disconnected?

And yes, I think there is one of the old style wide iPod connectors in the glove box - how might that be related/useful please?

Thanks,

John

I've been having exactly the same problems. Finally last week dashboard indicators not showing but working outside. PDC not working. Radio on but couldn't adjust volume. Roof wouldn't work.

Popped every fuse, disconnected everything electrical as a trial and error exercise. Finally removed radio and found the ipod interface module tucked away under radio. Disconnected both leads and hey presto, everything back to life.

Hi,

Probably a stupid question, but how do you remove the radio to get to the iPod module?

Also, when I went to the car earlier today everything was working as normal.....typical!!

Will still try the suggestions here as I don’t want this to remain as an intermittent fault.

Thanks,

John.

Remove air vent above radio(search for how to on here, quite easily done) then remove 2 screws and radio slides out

 

[Surrey-Z4]

Perfect - thanks - I’ll try that later in the week,

John.