Passat electrical problems!!!

[tezmos]

Hi - just returned frfom a 350 mile round trip in my recently aquired 2002 Pqassat TDI estate - on opening the door when we got home noticed the interior light wasnt working - further investigation revealed none of the interior lights were working - dash lights etc ok - further checks reveal central locking down and electric windows - dont know what else at this stage - a quick check of the fuses reveal all ok - ones in the end of the dash drivers side - dont know if there are others - any help tonight would be gratefully received:1zhelp:

[YorksLad]

I've just had a similar problem with my 2002 Tdi estate. All working fine, then alarm started going off, remote central locking not working, rear interior lights not working and radio doing odd things. Auto electrician diagnosed faulty "Convenience Control Unit" which could only be replaced/ programmed by main dealer. Took car to dealer who seemed to know of the problem and said it would be caused by a water leak (it had been raining heavily that weekend) and the car was steaming up overnight.

Just had report back from main dealer to say car needs control unit wiring looms replacing (they think unit is OK) and a new carpet! Needless to say its not a cheap repair. Hoping they have exagerated damage to carpet. :(

[tezmos]

Hi - eventually found a blown fuse which when replaced restored my lights windows etc - however am now suffering from a "alternator workshop" alarm coming up on damp mornings or following washing car off with a hose - this lasts about 10 mins before dissappearing - hope this is not the start of more serious problems - alternator has been checked and is ok!:confused:

[Sam]

Driver's side footwell.

Pull up the carpet (carefully) and check for water ingress. A lot of people with the above problems will find a few mms of water here. This is where your CCM lives (and dies). The water gets in, usually when your drain holes in the engine bay become blocked - this site helps you unblock them in an excellent step by step way (http://www.weirdlittlebiscuit.com/passat/leak/.

While you're there, check the pollen filter seal for any damage altho on a 2002 this should be doubtful

[Fireblade 918]

Hi - just returned frfom a 350 mile round trip in my recently aquired 2002 Pqassat TDI estate - on opening the door when we got home noticed the interior light wasnt working - further investigation revealed none of the interior lights were working - dash lights etc ok - further checks reveal central locking down and electric windows - dont know what else at this stage - a quick check of the fuses reveal all ok - ones in the end of the dash drivers side - dont know if there are others - any help tonight would be gratefully received:1zhelp:
Hi Tezmos
My Passat has just suffered an identical failing to yours, could you tell me what number fuse you had to replace and where it was located.
Regardsl

[nacoya]

Driver's side footwell.

Pull up the carpet (carefully) and check for water ingress. A lot of people with the above problems will find a few mms of water here. This is where your CCM lives (and dies). The water gets in, usually when your drain holes in the engine bay become blocked - this site helps you unblock them in an excellent step by step way (http://www.weirdlittlebiscuit.com/passat/leak/.

While you're there, check the pollen filter seal for any damage altho on a 2002 this should be doubtful

hi,

sorry to hijack, but do you know of another source for that step by step guide you mention. The link is no longer valid..

cheers,

nacoya

[foyboy]

I have a problem with the electrics on my passat. The problem is that the indicators periodically don't work both turning left and right. I have also noticed that my temperature gauge has stopped working. I have checked the fuse box to and no fuses have blown. Is it a relay problem! Any advise would be gratefully received. Thanking you in anticipation

[Fireblade 918]

Hi Tezmos
My Passat has just suffered an identical failing to yours, could you tell me what number fuse you had to replace and where it was located.
Regardsl

I have now found the cause of my numerous failures (alarm,e/windows,interior lights etc).I pulled the CCm out from under the wet carpet in the passenger footwell ,in the process of doing this all hell broke loose alarm sounding interior lights flashing.I set about examining the wiring harness,about 30cm from the CCM connectors i found seven factory splices (poorly made soldered joints wrapped in tape)four of these had totally failed due to damp ingress and the other three were badly corroded. I have now repaired all the joints with decent quality splices wrapped in heat shrink tube and hey presto everything now works, even the interior light now works on opening the passenger door,hasn`t done this since i purchased the car!! Hope this is of some help.

[Sam]

Glad I could help Fireblade (I hope it was my post that helped!)

Nacoya - the link works fine for me

http://www.weirdlittlebiscuit.com/passat/leak/ copy and paste it or start at http://www.weirdlittlebiscuit.com and work your way through.

Good luck

Sam

[foyboy]

Hiya, reference electrical fault,

I didn't replaced any of the fuses, but I had experience water ingress into the rear nearside footwell for a lengthy period of time. Having visited this site, a kind user explained how the water was coming in. I have unblocked the drain holes, which were bunged up with debris. I am drying out the carpet areas and hoping the electrical faults will clear itself. If this is not the case I shall have to pull up the carpet and do some fault finding. My temperature gauge now works! however the fault on the indicators is still persistant. Am now going to blast the cabin with a household heater to remove any dampness. Fingers Crossed!!

[Sam]

Foyboy - With regards your faulty indicators, do your hazard lights work?

If not, you may need to replace the relay on the rear of the hazard switch. Pop it out, and remove the relay from the back (unplug the harness first) to get the part numbers you need.

[JASTONV]

Hi there, Did you find out what fuse and where it is?
I don't know myself, but have the same problem.

[bigphil]

Hi all,
I too have had the identical problems that some of you have had. Alarm going off, interier lights not working and windows not working (Stopped while in the in the open position). Just been to the main dealer and they too said that it would be caused by water in the passenger foot well damaging the computor controller. He said that this is quite a common problem, but that it will cost more than £500. I am hoping that as its a common fault that I might get VW to pay at least something towards the bill, has any one else had any experience of this??
Thanks

[Jasper]

Hi Everyone,

Water leaks and CCUs…. tell me about it, 3 months of CCU and wiring problems and the nightmare of finding the LEAK.
Once you have discovered that you have a wet carpet the first thing to do is to check the expensive CCU under the passenger footwell carpet. Push the passenger seat back as far as it will go, remove the kick plate and lift the carpet. It is possible to remove the whole box that contains the CCU without removing the seat. Then use paper to soak up most of the water, then a hair dryer for the remains.
The possible causes for the leaks are, plenum chamber drain holes are blocked, the pollen filter gasket has failed, the windscreen is leaking, the drain holes for the sun roof are blocked, the drain hole for the air-con is blocked, door seals have failed. However, none of the above were the cause of my problems but they all have to be checked, good old VW.
The water was coming from the air-con overflow pipe but not because it was blocked. The plastic overflow pipe fits into a rubber grommet in the floor, it should be a tight fit but it isn’t. Every time I used the air-con water (condensation) would seep back past this loose fitting and drip into the car.
How bad can this leak get… well I didn’t discover mine until my central locking packed up and a VW mechanic told me that my rear nearside passenger carpet was soaking wet. (there is a lot of felt under that carpet) Anyway I hope this will help some poor sole, good luck and I hope the final bill is not to large.

2002 Passat 2.0 S (130bhp)

[Ricko61]

I've got a similar problem on my '98 Passat TDI (but with a slight twist). The alarm keeps going off on its own, but I have the opposite problem with the interior light - it keeps coming on, on its own. Sometimes this happens when its parked, sometimes when I'm driving along. Having read the problems everybody else has had, I think I'll be having the carpet up this weekend.

[goti]

Hi could you tell me how u actually did this, as i am having the same problem on my 1998 passat, also my cd changer has stopped working, which i think is connected to this.

[NadZaman1]

Hi, I own a 99 passat. problem started with front passenger side window not closing, then alarm started sounding randomly. Car did not recognise key fob and central locking failed. Took it to a dealer who diagnosed corroded CCU. cost #576 pounds. Managed to bring this down to 450 pounds. Not done it yet. A lot of money for something I had no knowledge of.

[kuhnben]

Unfortunately, there's a lot of people with this same problem. I was a victim of the dreadful CCU flood. What happens is one of your drain hoses has a leak or gets disconnected or plugged up. The water then takes a course under your driver side carpet straight to the lowest point in the car, where your CCU (CCM - Comfort controle module) is stored. The symtoms include the following:

1. Windows not going up and down
2. Sunroof not working
3. Interior lights not working
4. Car won't start
5. Power locks / security system won't work
6. Alarm going off randomly

My car had all of the following after about 2 months. When my alarm started going off, I disconnected the horn from the trunk. My particular problem was a hose that ran through the side of the trunk had become disconnected somehow and all of the water was running through the side paneling down into the underside of the driver carpet. When the carpet was lifted there was probably a good 3-4 GALLONS of water under it. All the wires had to be replaced, they were corroded and the CCM also had to be replaced. This totaled over $2,300! Be careful and if you know how to do the work yourself, do it yourself. It's very labor intesive.

[davedefeet]

I'm very annoyed about the design of the Passat, it's bewildering why VW, known for quality? decided to put the main electronics at the lowest point in the car, I mean derrrrr.

About a week ago, my partners 1998 Passat Key Fob stopped working, I thought it needed batteries, then a few days later she discovers that the rear left seat-well is 3 inches deep in water, she bailed out most of the water, there was no obvious sign of a leak from the doors or windows and the front carpet seemed dry, I had no time to look into the problem, so left it for a day or two.

I drove the car, and heard a clunking noise, the central locking had gone mad, locking and unlocking. I stopped the car but couldn't get out for about 2 minutes, in the end I had to press the unlock button on the door, I got out and the alarm went off, the central locking continued to go mad until I locked and unlocked with the key, I drove back home determined to fix it.

I noticed there was lots of water in the back again, could find no obvious sign of the source, so felt the front carpet, seemed dry, but if I pressed down hard, water seeped out. I suspected a leaky windscreen and opened the Bonnet, was shocked to see that there was water in the battery compartment, nearly all the way to the top.

The long and short is that I disconnected the batterty, syphoned about 10 gallons or water out, removed the battery (no easy task) and found the main drain hole was blocked by a flake of paint that had rusted off the battery tray, and was exactly the right size to sit over the hole to let ANY water out, that's Murphy's law.

The carpet is all one piece, I drained most of the water from the back, the carpet is 3 to 5 inches thick and very difficult to remove, so I removed some trim round the doors (4 screws and some pop-offs) then lifted the carpet enough to put some plastic beakers under it, to let the water drain via gravity, I drilled 2 holes in the rear floor, then one in the front, there are several rubber bungs so I drilled through them, not the metal.

My driveway is steep, so I drove up and left it with the rear facing lower than the front. I just checked and there is water dripping out of the holes as I write this. The sun is due to shine later, here's hoping!

I'll let you know if things go back to norla on the car, or not, here's hoping.

Dave

[BarryHCM]

Dave

Have just read your notes about the convenience computer. You say that you're parking on a steep driveway. I lent my passat to my daughter some months back and her drive is also steep. Seems that the X gallons of water I had in the passengers footwell came in through the sun roof, and as with most who write on this subject the control unit was badly damaged.

But my point is that I've checked the sunroof drains and they seem OK, it seems to me that the channels below the perimeter of the sunroof that the drains are connected to are pretty shallow and they may overflow with the car on a steep slope - and in my case tilted slightly.

If you have a sunroof look out for a wet headlining etc.

I've just about got enough of my electrics to work to make the car useable by cleaning up the board, soldering in new relays and cleaning up the connection plugs but it's been a long & painful process. The things I can't get to work are the triggering of the interior lights from the doors, the remote locking and the theft alarm but the car's 10 years old and done 147k so I'm not going to spend any more than I have to.

If anyone knows whether VW initialise or reboot the new units they fit and if so whether it's a programming exercise or just a sequence of switching things on & off as per the window torque limits, I'd be interested.

Barry

[RobBentley]

Are these drain holes something likely to be checked during a service? My 2002 Passat has now done 126k miles but its had a full service every 10k. I've never had a problem with the car - and touch wood I won't :)

[davedefeet]

Hello Barry

The car has no sunroof and I have a very steep driveway entrance, but it's flat at the top, I parked the Passat on the slope to force the remaining water in the carpets and wells, to drain out of the holes I drilled through the rubber bungs in the floor (with the CCU removed) I used a wet vacuum to suck out most of the water, then pointed a fan under the lifted carpet, it worked.

My Volvo is parked on the drive, the Passat is mostly in the parking space below the house, which is on a slight slope. I don't think the slope had anything to do with the problem, Murphy's law and bad design caused this.

So to update on my previous post. I used WD40 to disapate the moisture and cleaned-up the CCU by carefully brushing it. The remote key-fob no longer works and the boot won't lock, even with the key. Luckily there was nothing else affected.

I can get a CCU/PCM for about £100; but have to get it programmed for the key fob, I'm trying to find out how much this will cost, I know a specialist (non dealer) I'll be calling them soon.

I'm selling the car once it's fixed, it's a liability I don't need.

David

[BarryHCM]

Hi Dave

Good to hear that at least you haven't got a roof problem.

I had a problem with the boot lock but only that it wouldn't lock electrically. The lock 'motor' - it's a 12v motor driving a worm screw - was burnt out and the relay on the ccu board was knackered. The lock motor only cost about £12 from a main dealer and the although the relays were difficult to find, my son (in Australia!) managed to buy me three - I've still got two if you want one.

It's a bit tricky desoldering and removing the relay but I haven't done much of that sort of thing and that particular relay was the easiest of the three I had to take off, so if you're really keen it might be worth a try. Trouble is of course that if you overheat one of the semiconductors you could end up with nothing at all working.

Don't blame you for getting rid of it though I'll probaly stick with mine as I've more time than money at present.

Just out of interest I checked my plenum today and though there was a fair bit of debris the drain was clear.

It reminded me that I'd replaced the front shocks abot 18 months ago and wrecked the plastic grommets covering the top fixing bolts when I took them out. Guess what - my VW dealer couldn't identify which grommet it was from their list so I never got around to replacing them. The holes are well above the drains but below the level of the pollen filter so if anyone wants an overflow drain in the plenum just take out the lower level grommet and spray the nut beneath with WD40 or Waxoil to stop it rusting too much.

Barry.

[BarryHCM]

Hi Rob

Don't think it's likely that an agent would check the drains on a service, but if you can't see any leaves or flakes of paint etc., etc., in the plenum when you open the bonnet, just pour some water in every couple of months or so when you fill up the winscreen washer bottle, - after all it's no different from the car being stood in a heavy downpour. If it runs out on the road from the shroud under the engine you're probably OK. If it doesn't, get it checked before it fills up.

Barry

[davedefeet]

Thanks Barry

I might take you up on the relay offer, but not yet.

I didn't mention it in previous posts, but one of the symptoms (before I drained the water etc.) was that I noticed a whining from the boot, which prompted me to remove the battery, the whining didn't come back when I reconnected the battery the next day (after I dried the CCU out) since then the boot refuses to lock, but it does lock/unlock the doors when the key is used on the boot lock.

I'll get a new motor, I have taken a look at it, it's a bit awkward to remove by the way it's attached, but I'll get the motor and go for it.

I'm sure there'll by further posts from me.

Cheers

Dave

[nextcarsajap]

I've just collected my 03 Passat from the dealer, having shelled out almost £700 for a repair due to the pollen filter seal failing. This is a long story, so get comfortable. I took it in last summer when I first discovered water in the footwell behind the passenger seat. I was about to load the car with cases to go on holiday, so I had to get it sorted out quickly. The local VW dealer, whom I had dealt with for 10 years, couldn't get my car in that week. They advised that it could be the pollen filter leaking and that it was a problem on some Passats. They told me it might not be safe to drive as water may have affected the electrics.

I called the AA who discovered water in the battery compartment - almost up to the top! Also there appeared to be no decent draining in that compartment (plenum chamber?) so the mechanic pulled out a tube which went from the battery to the bottom of the chamber and which appeared to be doing very little, which then allowed the water to escape through a tiny hole. Whilst on holiday (another) ignition coil blew (another story!:mad:), so had to call the AA out for that, as it was 3 months out of warranty, but the water problem seemed to dry up. Thought it must be a blocked drainhole - the car is parked under a tree which sheds tiny twiglets, which get washed into the car by heavy rainfall. (Bear with me - it's important that you read this to the end!).

I worried about the potential electric problem/pollen filter leak, so took the car into the VW dealer a couple of months later, and told them what had happened, how it was 'fixed' by the AA, and asked them to check for all potential electrical problems and leaks. I asked them to ensure that the water was draining out correctly. Also had my air-con serviced. When I collected it, they had done the air-con, but apparently no other checks!!:confused: I was told that it was awkward to check beneath the battery and if I wanted the electrics checking they would have to remove the carpet which would cost me £600!:aargh4:

I got a little upset at this point, and the service guy said he would contact VW to see if they could do the job at a lower cost, as the car was relatively new and only just out of warranty. He promised to ring me to let me know - but didn't.:(
Soooo.....I let the car dry out, the problem seemed to go away and I forgot about it all. That is, until I returned from holiday in September this year and moved the car to hear a sloshing sound - there was about 3 inches of water in the rear footwell. I went to see the VW dealer, furious that the checks I had requested hadn't been done, and that the problem had recurred as a result of that.

They checked the job sheet from the previous visit and found that the pollen filter seal HAD gone (but I wasn't told that) which was allowing water ingress through the heating ducts. I was also told - get this - that had I brought the car in within 4 years of purchase, VW would have paid %100 of the repair costs as it is a known Passat problem and design fault. As it was, the job would cost £1,400. and they would pay 35% of the cost, as they admitted some liability. Somehow, this ended up with my paying £660. which isn't 65% but who cares. They re-sealed the pollen filter, checked the plenum chamber drainage, sealed the E-chamber, which had also gone, removed and replaced the carpet and replaced the comfort control unit which apparently had been sitting in 3 inches of water.

I am currently getting legal advice, and have been told that the dealer breached their contract by NOT carrying out the checks I requested or letting me know about the problem they did find, and that VW have breached the Sale of Goods act as the car isn't fit for purpose due to a design fault and it is within 6 years of purchase. I am hoping to pursue the case through my motor insurance and will let you know how I get on.

I hope this helps the many Passat owners out there who have experienced this problem. Sorry it was so lengthy!
:zx11:

[Sam]

Nice first post - welcome aboard!

Are you saying, in summary, that if you take the car in within 4 years of the first purchase (or the current owners purchase?) the job will be done for free?

I have an '01 with early signs of water ingress (I've caught most myself and sorted it all) which I purchased in 2004. Can I now take it in to be sorted and be covered by this magic 4 year thing?

[nextcarsajap]

Hi there

Sorry, I think I misled you by saying 4 years from purchase - that's because I bought mine new. What I should have said was 4 years from new (ie one year beyond the normal warranty). The important thing though, is that they are clearly admitting culpability. Also, the legal advice I got was that you are entitled to claim under the Sale of Goods Act within 6 years of manufacture (it was brief free advice from my insurers, which I need to follow up more fully).

So, even with an 01 car, it may be that you have a whisker of a chance of claiming something - or at least, getting the fault repaired at a reduced price? Or even checked out for free??

As soon as I find out more about the legal position, I'll post anything useful here.

Hope this helps clarify things - and sorry to have misled you.

[nextcarsajap]

Glad I could help Fireblade (I hope it was my post that helped!)

Nacoya - the link works fine for me

http://www.weirdlittlebiscuit.com/passat/leak/ copy and paste it or start at http://www.weirdlittlebiscuit.com and work your way through.

Good luck

Sam

This is a fantastic link - I wish I'd seen it when I first had the problem with water ingress (see my post elsewhere detailing the problems). I am now thinking that I've got a real case against VW as the AA man who drained the plenum chamber took the little tube which is there for battery overflow out of the drain hole.....so supposedly somebody put it in there to start with? Which must have prevented a lot of water from draining out? And I bought the car from new??

I found the guide so easy to follow because of the photos. My Haynes manual photos are a little murky and the directions can be a little confusing and lack sufficient detail for a novice like me! I'll definitely try to clear my own drain holes in future (if you know what I mean!). It'll save me a fortune in expensive repairs. I love my Passat - hate the bills.

Thanks again for the link.

[Canetoad]

There are two drains in the battery compartment and they get blocked with crap over time. You need to clear them and the water problems will go away. They're big enough to get your finger into.

[onzarob]

Glad I could help Fireblade (I hope it was my post that helped!)

Nacoya - the link works fine for me

http://www.weirdlittlebiscuit.com/passat/leak/ copy and paste it or start at http://www.weirdlittlebiscuit.com and work your way through.

Good luck

Sam

Sam your original link had a %29 on the end...now fixed:D

[Sam]

Sam your original link had a %29 on the end...now fixed:D

January 2006 was a tough month Rob, thanks for the fix :p :D

[nextcarsajap]

There are two drains in the battery compartment and they get blocked with crap over time. You need to clear them and the water problems will go away. They're big enough to get your finger into.
Thanks - I'm certainly going to try and keep them cleared.

If you read my first post about this problem (which is lengthy!) you'll see that it was indeed blocked drainholes which partly caused the water ingress - but also a faulty pollen filter seal - a known Passat problem. Also the fact I park my car under a tree which sheds tiny twiglets which then get washed into every nook and cranny on the car during heavy downpours of rain.

[onzarob]

January 2006 was a tough month Rob, thanks for the fix :p :D

It may be an old thread but its a hot topic ;)

[Sam]

It may be an old thread but its a hot topic ;)

14k views - wow!

[bullsfan]

I am so glad I have just joined this site. Just after the last service of my Passat Highline '04, the interior lights stopped working. Wasn't too concerned at the time, but a few weeks back the electrics went. Key fobs wouldn't work, nor the windows, and I couldn't open the boot manually either. Took it to VW who informed me that wires had got damp and new Control unit required at a cost of over £400. Was told by mechanic that it could be due to filter not being put in properly at service but could not be proved, but they could couldn't find any source for the leak. As this was done at another VW garage overseas, I had to take it up with them if I wanted anything done about it. Oh well, shell out the money, what more could I do. Low and behold, a few days later, the kids noticed that the rear interior lights were still not working, and I still couldn't open the boot manually. After several messages to the VW garage, no one got back to me, so I demanded to speak with the manager who eventually got a mechanic to speak there and then. Got the car in this morning, only to get a phone call to say that more wires are damp and it's due to pollen filter hsg and is a known problem. After saying it was supposed to be all checked out the first time it was in the garage, he informed me that I might still have to cough up another £200 when I collect tomorrow, but would have to look at the previous notes. I am so glad I read your message, as for a car that's only 3 and a half years old, I don't expect to be coughing up this much money for a problem that clearly lies with VW. I shall take it up with them then, and if I get no joy I'll take a leaf out of your book, and go down the road of legal advice

[onzarob]

I'm amazed the garages take so long to diagnose this fault, it so common place...crazy

[AndyB_cmd]

My 1.9 TDI suffered a bit of water ingress after the drains under the battery blocked about 3 months ago. Unfortunately I didn't know about the CCU under the carpet...
Yesterday the remote locking died and today all the windows rolled themselves down and stuck when I unlocked the doors using the key!
Thanks to you guys I nailed the fault though.
The CCU itself was fine and dry and it turned out to be corrosion in the wiring loom splices. These splices are ultrasonic welds, covered in cloth tape; great for trapping moisture.
For what it's worth, the one which caused the problem for me was on the red wire with a blue stripe, about 5cm from where the CCU branch emerges from the main loom near the sill.
Just wanted to say big thanks to everyone who contibuted earlier in this thread and guided me in the right direction.
:beerchug:

[nextcarsajap]

I am so glad I have just joined this site. Just after the last service of my Passat Highline '04, the interior lights stopped working. Wasn't too concerned at the time, but a few weeks back the electrics went. Key fobs wouldn't work, nor the windows, and I couldn't open the boot manually either. Took it to VW who informed me that wires had got damp and new Control unit required at a cost of over £400. Was told by mechanic that it could be due to filter not being put in properly at service but could not be proved, but they could couldn't find any source for the leak. As this was done at another VW garage overseas, I had to take it up with them if I wanted anything done about it. Oh well, shell out the money, what more could I do. Low and behold, a few days later, the kids noticed that the rear interior lights were still not working, and I still couldn't open the boot manually. After several messages to the VW garage, no one got back to me, so I demanded to speak with the manager who eventually got a mechanic to speak there and then. Got the car in this morning, only to get a phone call to say that more wires are damp and it's due to pollen filter hsg and is a known problem. After saying it was supposed to be all checked out the first time it was in the garage, he informed me that I might still have to cough up another £200 when I collect tomorrow, but would have to look at the previous notes. I am so glad I read your message, as for a car that's only 3 and a half years old, I don't expect to be coughing up this much money for a problem that clearly lies with VW. I shall take it up with them then, and if I get no joy I'll take a leaf out of your book, and go down the road of legal advice
Hi There Bullsfan

I do hope you get a result. It's obviously not something they like to make public, but I went to a main franchise garage and they contacted VW direct before telling me about the 4-year thing, so it's definitely bona fide. Use the 'broken record' technique and you should get somewhere - just keep repeating that it's a known fault and you know that VW are offering to pay %100 of repair costs for cars up to 4 yrs old which have been damaged as a result of it.

I have told my garage (in writing) that I intend to take the legal route and haven't yet had a formal response. I'm not covered for this on my motor insurance but some people have 'consumer cover' on their household insurance. I've been told that this would be a relevant case for that sort of insurance to cover, due to the breach of contract and breach of Sale of Goods Act. Also I've considered contacting Which? magazine, or Auto Express - I've seen stories in both where garages have been taken to task (although not with the same problem we have experienced).

The more of us who stand up to be counted, the easier it will hopefully be for those who follow.

In the meantime this forum has provided loads of help for those who still have time to prevent major damage occurring - well done VAG forum members!!

[suisideg60]

Does anyone know where would be cheapest to buy a CCM from??
Done all the wiring probs but still up the swanny and the PCB in my CCM is corroded blue and rusty! Lol.

[Baron_Samedi]

I have read this post with great interest and have two things to add;

1. Has anyone read a post in the B5 forum showing a letter from VW of America acknowledging the blocked battery drains as a problem and issuing a recall of cars to have the problem rectified?

Just wondering if this helps when claiming against VW in the UK etc.

Also, a question;

2. If, having made sure the floors of your car are dry, is wrapping the CCM in a waterproof jacket (for want of a better word) possible in order to prevent possible damage?

[Sam]

Baron,

The very same letter is in the Passat section here ;)

Not sure how much heat the CCM gives off but if it's stuffed under the carpet already I imagine it's safe to wrap it in another layer of something waterproof

[nextcarsajap]

I am so glad I have just joined this site. Just after the last service of my Passat Highline '04, the interior lights stopped working. Wasn't too concerned at the time, but a few weeks back the electrics went. Key fobs wouldn't work, nor the windows, and I couldn't open the boot manually either. Took it to VW who informed me that wires had got damp and new Control unit required at a cost of over £400. Was told by mechanic that it could be due to filter not being put in properly at service but could not be proved, but they could couldn't find any source for the leak. As this was done at another VW garage overseas, I had to take it up with them if I wanted anything done about it. Oh well, shell out the money, what more could I do. Low and behold, a few days later, the kids noticed that the rear interior lights were still not working, and I still couldn't open the boot manually. After several messages to the VW garage, no one got back to me, so I demanded to speak with the manager who eventually got a mechanic to speak there and then. Got the car in this morning, only to get a phone call to say that more wires are damp and it's due to pollen filter hsg and is a known problem. After saying it was supposed to be all checked out the first time it was in the garage, he informed me that I might still have to cough up another £200 when I collect tomorrow, but would have to look at the previous notes. I am so glad I read your message, as for a car that's only 3 and a half years old, I don't expect to be coughing up this much money for a problem that clearly lies with VW. I shall take it up with them then, and if I get no joy I'll take a leaf out of your book, and go down the road of legal advice
Hi ,

I had a meeting with the service manager at my VW garage today, re: water ingress/cost of work, and a further problem with an oil pressure warning lamp coming on after the CCU had been replaced and the car supposedly dried out (including new carpet). At the time I originally took the car in my car was less than 4 years old, but VW changed their goodwill slant on this problem as more faults were reported. So, it's currently at 100% repair cost covered for water ingress due to the pollen filter seal not behaving. At the time I took the car in, that wasn't the case.

Interestingly, they did have a certain amount of leeway even then to refund customer's costs - but not 100%. Please be aware of this, if you are not already - always argue the point if your repair is down to the design of the car rather than your own neglect!

I'll cover my oil pressure warning light saga elsewhere in the forum, but want you all to know that VW are giving my car a long-life service, completely flushing the oil sump and renewing the oil, testing it on a long journey (100+miles as that was when I was getting the warning lamp) and replacing the petrol used,

[nextcarsajap]

Hi ,

I had a meeting with the service manager at my VW garage today, re: water ingress/cost of work, and a further problem with an oil pressure warning lamp coming on after the CCU had been replaced and the car supposedly dried out (including new carpet). At the time I originally took the car in my car was less than 4 years old, but VW changed their goodwill slant on this problem as more faults were reported. So, it's currently at 100% repair cost covered for water ingress due to the pollen filter seal not behaving. At the time I took the car in, that wasn't the case.

Interestingly, they did have a certain amount of leeway even then to refund customer's costs - but not 100%. Please be aware of this, if you are not already - always argue the point if your repair is down to the design of the car rather than your own neglect!

I'll cover my oil pressure warning light saga elsewhere in the forum, but want you all to know that VW are giving my car a long-life service, completely flushing the oil sump and renewing the oil, testing it on a long journey (100+miles as that was when I was getting the warning lamp) and replacing the petrol used,
Sorry - hadn't finished - all work to be completed FREE OF CHARGE. Remember they also paid more than 50% of my repair bill for the water ingress, even though my car is more than 4 years old.

So, it's really worth persevering. I'm still reviewing the legal route - possibly via 'Which' magazine, as I still don't think I should have had to pay £660 to repair what is essentially their design fault.

[scottjenkins]

Hi there. I had the same problem with my 99 Passat, I pulled back passengers carpet and had a few drops of condensation in the electrical box. i just unplugged it and dried it with some kitchen roll then it worked fine, Pulling the carpet back was a pain tho having to remove some trim on the way
Scott

[nextcarsajap]

Hi there. I had the same problem with my 99 Passat, I pulled back passengers carpet and had a few drops of condensation in the electrical box. i just unplugged it and dried it with some kitchen roll then it worked fine, Pulling the carpet back was a pain tho having to remove some trim on the way
Scott
I'm glad you were able to sort it out so simply. I returned from holiday and moved my car to hear a sloshing sound - when I looked round the rear passenger footwell was under 3 inches of water! So unfortunately, kitchen towel wouldn't have sorted it out.....It had also happened the previous year, so I took their word for it that the water had damaged the wiring and CCU. My stereo system had started to play up and I had a problem with a headlamp which wouldn't, then would light, so these could well have been due to the water ingress affecting the wiring. The main cost of my work was replacing the carpet.

Would be interested to know how much water you had in your car to start with, before you pulled back the carpet?

Cheers
NCAJ

[scottjenkins]

I'm glad you were able to sort it out so simply. I returned from holiday and moved my car to hear a sloshing sound - when I looked round the rear passenger footwell was under 3 inches of water! So unfortunately, kitchen towel wouldn't have sorted it out.....It had also happened the previous year, so I took their word for it that the water had damaged the wiring and CCU. My stereo system had started to play up and I had a problem with a headlamp which wouldn't, then would light, so these could well have been due to the water ingress affecting the wiring. The main cost of my work was replacing the carpet.

Would be interested to know how much water you had in your car to start with, before you pulled back the carpet?

Cheers
NCAJ

Hi, the problem startrd last summer when i woke up to find the same problem (about 3 inches of water in the back footwell behind the front passenger seat) after looking around i was told that it could be caused due to the seal going around the pollen filter which is located on the passenger side under the bonnet just right of the battery. There was also loads of water under the battery caused by a draining hole blocked up by leaves and crap. (take out the battery to get to the draining hole )
hope this helps, if you need any more info get in touch
Scott

[VW - aaaggghhh]

Think you might find that there is now a recall to take out the grommets which stop water draining from the plenum chamber which is one cause of this CCU problem. I've suffered twice from the plenum chamber filling up, first time the chamber filled up it wrecked the brake servo (& a holiday), the second time wrecked the CCU. When I took the car in to have the latest problem diagnosed, the dealer said "funnily enough we've also done a recall job to remove the grommets ..." I didn't quite take in all that he said because I was reeling from the shock of how much the repair would cost. Anyway it's worth trying - my invoice shows recall 51B8. I'm not happy, it's a clear design fault and my next step is the sale of goods act - anyone know anything useful about this?

[brayster99]

I have had a very similar problem and am now being fobbed by VW do you want to compare notes - perhaps start legal proceedings? joe at streamuk dot com

02 passat owner

[brayster99]

Hi there

Sorry, I think I misled you by saying 4 years from purchase - that's because I bought mine new. What I should have said was 4 years from new (ie one year beyond the normal warranty). The important thing though, is that they are clearly admitting culpability. Also, the legal advice I got was that you are entitled to claim under the Sale of Goods Act within 6 years of manufacture (it was brief free advice from my insurers, which I need to follow up more fully).

So, even with an 01 car, it may be that you have a whisker of a chance of claiming something - or at least, getting the fault repaired at a reduced price? Or even checked out for free??

As soon as I find out more about the legal position, I'll post anything useful here.

Hope this helps clarify things - and sorry to have misled you.

vw are trying to fob me off saying that on page 28 or the manual it is written hat the air plenum drain whole should be cleared. They fail to tell you HOW to do or what the consequences or not doing so. In may case I experienced lack of braking becuase the water had entered the brack master cylinder and possibly the servo (yet to be diagnosed). In by book this should be a recall due to safety reasons. VW state that they flagged the problem only in sept 07 and that it is currently a "workshop action" not a full recall. Which is why it isnt routinely done under normal servicing. I am quite sure that this should legally come under "not fit for purpose" and since the problem is a design fault there should be no time limit. My car is 73 months old and the damaged caused at about 68 months. I would appreciate any information regarding other peoples sucessful claims and the conditions of which they occured.

There is a US based class action suite addressing this exact problem.. Anyone out there know of any UK based suite?

Thanks

[llorch]

Hi, i have the exact same problem of the water draining and windows not opening and lights not turning on, i have 2 questions

1.- I have already drain the water and dried out and im still getting the same problem so whats the next course of action

2.- Does this flooding trigger a misfire on cylinder 5 & 6 (p308, p309) because i have chande MAF, Wires, spark plugs ETC and still getting the missfire so the car shakes when im on a light or on parking?



I appreciate the help.

[Sam]

You need to attack the control model in the passenger footwell (RHD) and dry that out.

[tant191]

hi,

sorry to hijack, but do you know of another source for that step by step guide you mention. The link is no longer valid..

cheers,

nacoya
What a brilliant set of instructions. I followed them to the letter after my 01 passat was full of water on thursday morning. It came in through the ducting under the drivers seat.
After knocking out the 2 rubber grommets, about 1 gallon of water came out of the battery bay.

Is the CCM the unit under the passenger bay and if so, does anyone know how to remove the carpet?

[ginge]

Hi all, I'm new here, and I would like to thank everyone for nailing the electrical fault with my Passat. While I was doing the repair work (after unblocking the drains) I took some photos.

I have written it up repairing the CCM harness here:-
http://www.headfuzz.co.uk/vw_ccm

I hope this helps someone out there.

Barry

[JontraK]

OK, I had the rear offside passenger footwell flood about 2 years ago which was sorted by my local garage. However, whether since then or at some point after that the following things don't work on my car:

-offside rear door won't open from inside.
-offside rear window won't open from the switch on the door (works fine from the drivers' door switch)
-offside rear door light doesn't work (maybe a broken/dead bulb though)
-rear washer jet not working.
-CD player skips on every CD I put in :D (I think this is a dodgy player though)

So, do I need to replace the CCU unit or is it just some wiring that needs to be mended?

Thanks,
Rob

[RobBentley]

Hi Guys.

Just a quick one - as I see all these water problems everywhere. Where exactly is this draingage hole that gets blocked? Im keen to ensure I don't get this problem.

I've not had the problem to date, presumably because I get the car serviced every 10k miles (which for me is about every 4-6 months).


Cheers,

[onzarob]

Hi Guys.

Just a quick one - as I see all these water problems everywhere. Where exactly is this draingage hole that gets blocked? Im keen to ensure I don't get this problem.

I've not had the problem to date, presumably because I get the car serviced every 10k miles (which for me is about every 4-6 months).


Cheers,

Its under the battery, Its not a service item, so won't be checked :( hence the issues ;)

[RobBentley]

Makes you wonder how stuff gets in there when its that well hidden :/

[janem29]

I have a problem with the electrics on my passat. The problem is that the indicators periodically don't work both turning left and right. I have also noticed that my temperature gauge has stopped working. I have checked the fuse box to and no fuses have blown. Is it a relay problem! Any advise would be gratefully received. Thanking you in anticipation I had the same problem. I went to the dealer and bought a new hazard switch. It has the relay built in and you can install it yourself. Just pop the old one out and put the new one in and it should work. I think the switch cost me £15 brand new.:Blush:

[just_vegin]

I am also a victim of the CCU curse. I discovered the plenum drain problem a few years ago after returning to the car on a dry day and seeing a some water under the car. A few minutes later I had discovered the swimming pool around the battery and set about unblocking the drains.

A few months later my friend came round with wet carpets and asked if I knew what the problem was. I popped the bonnet and reached under the plenum chamber and unblocked the drains. PLEASE NOTE - these can be cleared in less than a minute by shoving your arm right in underneath and groping for the tails of the grommets. When you find them shove your finger in to make sure you have got the right bit - should release some water. Then pull down to get them free and drop kick them as far as you can!!!

Anyway, despite knowing about and checking for this stupid design flaw, we now have all of the classic CCU flooding symptoms. We live in an exposed location and had horizontal rain the other night. Ginge I'm very grateful for the headfuzz link to your photo diary. I'll get in and have a closer look at CCU tomorrow.

[just_vegin]

OK, an update from me.

1. Checked the offending leaky location and would you believe it - swimming pool of water under the battery.

2. Groped around for the holes underneath to unblock the gunge plugging them and could not reach them - So you can reach them in a standard car, but once you've got all the spaces filled with vegoil heating parts and hoses it's gets a bit tricky.

3. Used the quick and dirty release of water method. Pushed up the grommet that seal around the heater matrix hoses from underneath. This allows the water to drain away. can be done at any time by anybody finding water in that compartment - PLEASE DO THIS if you don't have time to remove the battery. Will still need to take the battery out and open up the holes further at the weeeknd. Perhaps I'll get a drill in there and do the job properly.

4. followed this guide here (www.headfuzz.co.uk/vw_ccm) from Ginge. found exactly the same problem. Cables poorly connected in the factory wrapped in sopping cloth tape sitting in a pool of water. This reminds me of the bank adverts. Surely nobody could accidentally design such a ****** set of circumstances. A quick look showed that two of the cables had corroded away. Stripped and repaired the cables with spade connectors and all is now working.

The above took less than 1 hour. How can VW possibly be charging £800+ for this work. This has to be one of the biggest scams known in the British car industry. Even if you manage to get a price reduction following a massive arguement you're still paying many hundreds for 15 minutes work by somebody who must have done the same repair job thousands of times! I recon Watchdog should hear about this (if they have not already)