grumpypanda
13-03-2009, 10:41 PM
Our family Alhambra 1.9 TDI S 2000MY has started suffering intermittent electrical failures that have got worse in their effect. Initial events caused loss of ignition, radio and other electrically powered items for a very short time, with the radio coming back on MW/AM when power restored. Most recent two events have been much more serious and hence I am now looking into the cause and considering garage help.
The car 'broke down' when my wife was driving the car in town - all electrical power was lost and the car pushed to the side of the road. Two minutes later she tried the ignition again and the ignition lights appeared as they should, she started the car and drove 4.5 miles home. This time the radio was asking for the code to be entered, the clock had reset, the tripmeter had reset; it had all the indications of electrical power having been removed for a significant period of time.
I have checked earth side of the battery wiring for obvious electrical problems and not found anything of note. I am suspicious about water ingress being the reason for the problem as when investigating the issue this morning I found water in both driver and passenger footwells (more noticeable in passenger footwell). The water is not engine coolant or screenwash so I am now also hunting for the source of the leak. Can a damp/wet electronic control module cause the problems experienced?
Is it possible that 'drying out' the car will fix the problem?
What are the most likely sources for rain water ingress into the front of the car?
All advice appreciated.
The car 'broke down' when my wife was driving the car in town - all electrical power was lost and the car pushed to the side of the road. Two minutes later she tried the ignition again and the ignition lights appeared as they should, she started the car and drove 4.5 miles home. This time the radio was asking for the code to be entered, the clock had reset, the tripmeter had reset; it had all the indications of electrical power having been removed for a significant period of time.
I have checked earth side of the battery wiring for obvious electrical problems and not found anything of note. I am suspicious about water ingress being the reason for the problem as when investigating the issue this morning I found water in both driver and passenger footwells (more noticeable in passenger footwell). The water is not engine coolant or screenwash so I am now also hunting for the source of the leak. Can a damp/wet electronic control module cause the problems experienced?
Is it possible that 'drying out' the car will fix the problem?
What are the most likely sources for rain water ingress into the front of the car?
All advice appreciated.