My car is possessed (electrical issues) *SOLVED*

J

Jamesbradbury

Member
 Tonypandy, RCT
So I put my car up for sale a week or so ago and haven't been using it that often. After driving for an hour or so I parked up with the roof down. It started raining slightly so I went to try and put the roof up but nothing at all happened when I pressed the button and the boot wouldn't open no matter how I tried so I left it (rain stopped immediately). Came back later and everything was fine.

Driving again the next day I get an airbag light, indicators and lights work but there's no ticking or any visual on the dash and the windows gave up. Also no back-light on the dash and the a/c isn't cold when it was freezing yesterday. As I keep driving the indicators start working but like 5 seconds delayed and airbag and bulb lights randomly go on and off. DSC button and heated seats are fine and no battery light.

Anyone have an idea as to how I should start and the best cheap scanner because I returned my Carly (too expensive). I'm taking it as a sign that the car doesn't want to be sold.
 
Ahh ok I'll have to have a look. I just thought as the car starts perfectly and I have no battery light it's fine but thinking about it I don't know how old it is. Hope I can find my voltmeter.
 
A lot of batteries will have a date stamped on them, an just as described most people have no trouble starting the car , but the rest of the electrical seems very sensitive to a ageing battery
 
Jamesbradbury said:
Ahh ok I'll have to have a look. I just thought as the car starts perfectly and I have no battery light it's fine but thinking about it I don't know how old it is. Hope I can find my voltmeter.
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Original battery started fine but window up/down on opening/closing the door started acting up. It was the battery.
 
Jamesbradbury said:
Update: Replaced the battery and haven't had any issues so I think it was the issue. Thanks everyone
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It’s alway great when the author of threads like this get back and confirm the outcome , thanks.
If you think these cars can have strange electrical issues you should try a 60s 70s British sports car with Lucas electrics. The prince of darkness.
 
Benderloch said:
Jamesbradbury said:
Update: Replaced the battery and haven't had any issues so I think it was the issue. Thanks everyone
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It’s alway great when the author of threads like this get back and confirm the outcome , thanks.
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Fully agree. That's how we learn from each other. :thumbsup:
I think people on this site are generally much better at coming back with the resolution to their problems than on many other forums I frequent :thumbsup:
 
Another update: with the new battery I've had the problem come back. Not sure how to proceed with electrical troubleshooting as I can't bring myself to shell out £100+ for carly. Are there cheap ways? Cheers
 
You need to check that new battery is being charged correctly. Also look for water ingress into the various computers in the car.
 
Jamesbradbury said:
Another update: with the new battery I've had the problem come back. Not sure how to proceed with electrical troubleshooting as I can't bring myself to shell out £100+ for carly. Are there cheap ways? Cheers
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Yes there are, much cheaper. If you have a laptop handy, buy BMW Scanner 1.4, it’s about £15 on ebay and will give you more depth than Carly.
 
Good news. I scanned for codes and found a K-bus error and upon googling thought I'd unplug my airbag module (can be done by removing the "oddities tray" between the seats) and she came back to life with all issues fixed other than no airbags. Currently in the process of finding/fitting a new module as mine was pissing wet through. Any ideas of the best way to go about this?
 
Yup...same as mine. Just need to source a S/h module and code it.

Mine was dry as a bone and just gave up the ghost. Common problem. :thumbsup:
 
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