multiple electrical issues

[tim091]

Started with the front passenger seat not sliding back and forth when lifting the handle (slides ok using door controls) and at the same time SRS light on the dash.

A few days later my fob remote stopped working. I changed the batteries and now have much brighter red light on it when pressing buttons, but the car does not respond to it. It works in the ignition to drive the car once I have got in with the crazy key.

The same day I notice that none of the overhead cabin lights are working, nor is the sunroof, and headlamp Auto does nothing (lights work OK when you turn the switch past Auto).

So I am thinking fuses but I doubt all of the above mentioned are on one fuse!

Possibility that water ingress may have been a factor as I have driven through a lot of floods lately.

Any thoughts folks?

 

[andy@pcd-ltd]

I would lift up the passenger front carpet and see if there is water ingress under the carpet.

 

[television]

As Andy in the above post non plausible faults are always water messing up the CAN and wake up lines. you may have to remove a seat to check the boxes in the sills.

At this point in time I do not know if the construction is the same as on the 230 and I will check later in the day.

 

[sbryantgb]

Multiple elec failures on a W124 can usually be traced to corrosion on fuses. Not sure on your vehicle though.

 

[grober]

Think a lot of the electronic connections are below the floor coverings. Think that's probably the source of your problem as Andy says. Modern electronic-laden cars and floods don't mix!!!!!! and should be avoided at all costs. Some cars trapped in floods are written off as a consequence- perhaps they are the lucky ones?

 

[tim091]

Thanks wise people.

Update: No obvious moisture inside the car.

I pulled fuse 77 (under rear passenger seat) as a starting point as that covers interior lamps and headlamp Auto. Nothing wrong with fuse but when I put it back: as if by magic the interior lights came on!

Rather more powerful magic is that it also fixed the remote locking, sunroof, and passenger seat moving! Only issues remaining are the headlamp Auto and the SRS light being on. SRS light is now blinking rather than steady - sometimes!

Water does seem the most likely candidate for weird electrical failures so I am not optimistic that this is the last of the problems but fingers-crossed! when I get a bit more time, and it stops raining, I will have a thorough check for moisture.

Happy New Year to you all and many thanks for the advice.

 

[andy@pcd-ltd]

Its actually under the carpet that needs to be checked.

They can feel dry from the top but be soaked underneath where the foam part is.

Have you had a star test done to check for the srs fault.

 

[television]

Yes the water runs under the carpet between the metal floor and the foam backing, this is the case when the drain on the heater box is blocked

 

[tim091]

Thanks chaps. If it ever stops raining I will get out and have a thorough look.

I will get SMS checked next week as I need to book in for squealing brakes that are driving me nuts! The PO said new pads just fitted, well they didn't do a very good job! I think you should resurface the disks when you fit new pads and I am guessing that wasn't done. Or shimmies/packing not fitted properly.

Also got grinding/groaning from steering when parking etc. Suggestions on forum are ball joints need replacing. I have had a look at them and they are very soft and pliable - should they be firm?

Anyway, seeing as I need to get that sorted (and find a good independent to do it) then I will get them to see what is up with the SRS.

 

[television]

Thanks chaps. If it ever stops raining I will get out and have a thorough look.

I will get SMS checked next week as I need to book in for squealing brakes that are driving me nuts! The PO said new pads just fitted, well they didn't do a very good job! I think you should resurface the disks when you fit new pads and I am guessing that wasn't done. Or shimmies/packing not fitted properly.

Also got grinding/groaning from steering when parking etc. Suggestions on forum are ball joints need replacing. I have had a look at them and they are very soft and pliable - should they be firm?

Anyway, seeing as I need to get that sorted (and find a good independent to do it) then I will get them to see what is up with the SRS.

You have Star motor service in Caversham, good guy

 

[tim091]

Update:

SRS warning was due to a connector in the passenger seat. Don't know what else electrical they did (except clear codes) but all electrics that had failed are now working again.

The only electrical problem I have now is that the steering wheel position is not remembered in memory (it used to be). Basically I like it all the way down and when I switch on it moves down just a bit. Setting it all the way down and storing in memory makes no difference. Auto lift up on exit works though.

 

[television]

Update:

SRS warning was due to a connector in the passenger seat. Don't know what else electrical they did (except clear codes) but all electrics that had failed are now working again.

The only electrical problem I have now is that the steering wheel position is not remembered in memory (it used to be). Basically I like it all the way down and when I switch on it moves down just a bit. Setting it all the way down and storing in memory makes no difference. Auto lift up on exit works though.

OK and for that one it needs STAR to normalize it again, then you are all done