Passat B5.5 Indicator/Immobiliser issue

[exaisle]

Hi All,
The indicator fuse in my passat has been blowing intermittently for the past few weeks. Sometimes it lasts days, and sometimes a matter of hours. I checked the control unit in the passenger footwell and all is dry. The wiring joints all appear sound also. I replaced the hazard switch, but it has made no difference. I suspect that the fuse blows when the left indicator is engaged but that could be coincidental.

Another issue Ive noticed recently is that the hazards do not flash when the immobiliser is activated, although the immobiliser does actually activate. I cant be sure whether or not this problem arose at the same time as the fuse issue, or whether it happened later.

I've run VAG-COM and got the following fault code:

1 Fault Found:
01131 - Control Circuit for Turn Signals
25-10 - Unknown Switch Condition - Intermittent

If anybody can point me in the direction I should look, Id be most grateful.

I've checked all of the bulb housings (all are clean and dry) and the electrical connections for my towbar (all clean and dry also).

Thanks for any assistance,

E.

[Doctle Odd]

Search results for "01131 " - Ross-Tech Wiki (http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/Special:Search?search=01131+&fulltext=Go)

[macquatic]

Most likely the Comfort Control Module underneath the passenger side carpet. Poor wiring connections due to ingress of moisture/water.

[exaisle]

Most likely the Comfort Control Module underneath the passenger side carpet. Poor wiring connections due to ingress of moisture/water.

I checked the control unit in the passenger footwell and all is dry. The wiring joints all appear sound also.

[macquatic]

As you've replaced the switch, I'd still be looking at the wiring around the CCM.

[Doctle Odd]

Check the wiring and selonoids on the door locks

[chipped3]

Re -Indicator issue. B 5.5

Check that your fuse is making a good contact in its fuse holder. My indicators became intermittent and fuse and hazard warning module were replaced. Worked for a while but again failed. Eventually found to be that the heavy brass fuse contacts within the fuse board were not gripping the fuse blades well enough. The contacts were squeezed together and the problem solved.
While I was checking all possible causes I discovered that behind the drivers footwell carpet, where the bonnet pull is, there is a large earth point to body that was green with corrosion. It had to be cut off to fit two new terminals of the correct size and crimped with a borrowed tool. There was barely enough slack cable but enough was found. I had suspected the indicator stork and even ordered it from my dealer. Fortunately it was from another branch and so could remain in stock,

[exaisle]

Thanks for all of the replies. I've checked the wiring diagram and it "appears" that the indicator wiring doesn't go anywhere near the CCM (I'm totally open to correction here!!). The path seems to be Battery > relay > fuse > hazard light unit then from there to (a) the indicator switch on the steering column and (b) the actual bulbs....

The car is still blowing fuse no 2 (no problem with the hazard light's fuse 39). So, I've installed temporary 5amp fuses on the outputs from the hazard switch to the left and right indicator lights and the output to the indicator switch. If this doesnt identify the direction in which I should be looking, I'll change the temporary fuses to 2amp and see what happens.... :-)

[scotty33]

Re -Indicator issue. B 5.5

I discovered that behind the drivers footwell carpet, where the bonnet pull is, there is a large earth point to body

Useful to know, may help with a climate control problem I have. thank you!

[martin1810]

Thanks for all of the replies. I've checked the wiring diagram and it "appears" that the indicator wiring doesn't go anywhere near the CCM (I'm totally open to correction here!!). The path seems to be Battery > relay > fuse > hazard light unit then from there to (a) the indicator switch on the steering column and (b) the actual bulbs....


You are correct but the CCM has a connections to the hazard relay so it can flash the indicators when you press the fob. These wires sometimes cause problems.

[exaisle]

Hi Martin...thanks for the help.

Update....the fuse I installed between the hazard switch (connection 1) and the indicator switch on the steering column blew last night when I indicated left. Neither of the fuses from the hazard switch (connections 2 & 3) direct to the indicators didn't blow. (I'm guessing that connections 2&3 are for hazards rather than indicators).

I think the next step is now to remove the fuses at the hazard switch and insert them between the indicator switch and the common point between that and the actual lights. There appears to be a common point where the outputs from the indicator switch, CCM and hazard switch meet before splitting up and running to the three indicator lights on each side. Can anybody advise where this point is please?

Regards,

E.

[exaisle]

I've lifted the carpet on passenger (left) side to access the CCM, which is dry. However, reaching further in the direction of the gear stick, I can feel a second plastic box. Can anybody tell me what this is please? The wires from the CCM which link up with the hazard switch seem to go there but I haven't been able to access it properly as it feels like I'd have to remove the seat to gain full access to it. However, I don't really want to go on a wild goose chase unless I'm sure of what that second box is!

Edit: upon further investigation, this "second box" may be ducting for the rear heating...just a guess...although it feels quite loose to the touch....

Help...anybody!???

[exaisle]

There appears to be a common point where the outputs from the indicator switch, CCM and hazard switch meet before splitting up and running to the three indicator lights on each side. Can anybody advise where this point is please?


It's in the loom marked "58" which travels along the left hand side of the left hand front seat (in my case, the passenger seat). If you examine the looms carefully, you'll see a black/white wire which is looped. Follow that towards the front of the car and you'll see where it enters a clear plastic joiner. The loop is part of the circuit from that joiner to the front indicator. You can see in the pic below that i've inserted two temporary 5amp fuses to identify whether the short is towards the front or back indicators. If the main fuse blows but neither of the temporary fuses blow, it will allow me to confirm that the problem is in the area between the indicator switch and the joiner...


20622

[exaisle]

20623

[smithy602179]

now for a stupid question . do you have a towbar fitted ? the reason i ask is maybe you may need to check the 12N plug for water ingress , i had similar problem years ago on a volvo ,took ages to determine what was causing the fuse to blow . or even the connections to main light board in boot area . good luck

[exaisle]

Hi smithy! It's not a stupid question at all. I do have a towbar fitted and I removed the 12N connector last night to check. It's all dry inside and all of the connections inside the boot are done properly with scotchlock connectors and properly insulated.
The indicator fuse, F2, blew again today. I have two temporary fuses connected between the common point near the left A pillar and the front and back lights. They didn't blow so it looks like the problem is somewhere between there and the hazard switch (I installed other temporary fuses there last week). It's looking like the indicator stalk/switch may be the culprit. It's the kind that incorporates cruise control.

[smithy602179]

try replacing hazard switch , i believe it doubles as the indicator relay. Not expensive

[exaisle]

I did already but that isnt the problem.

I put a temporary fuse between the fusebox and the hazard switch...which blew. Then i moved it to between the hazard switch and the indicator switch...which also blew...that showed that the problem wasn't the hazard switch. However, fuses beyond the indicator switch havent blown, the main F2 fuse does blow, so it looks like the problem may be the indicator switch...

[exaisle]

Aha! Went out this morning with the intention of putting back the passenger footwell carpet and discovered that the front section of it closest to the centre of the car is definitely damp.....I will investigate further....

[exaisle]

Further update. I examined the usual suspect - pollen filter housing, but that seems bone dry and the area to the left of the footwell is dry also. Whatever water is getting in seems to be getting in towards the centre of the vehicle rather than up in the corner where the pollen filter is.
I removed the rubber bungs which occasionally block up some time ago but I think I can notice a little water under the brake servo...moreso that the area is wet, rather than there is a pool of water there. There was heavy rain overnight and the car was outdoors.
I've also recently replaced the "scuttle"trim directly under the windscreen as I had broken the original one while removing the battery to remove the drainage bung.....the new one seems reasonably well fastened to the base of the windscreen. However, if this is leaking, where does the water end up?

Can anybody suggest other ways in which water can get into the footwell other than via the pollen filter housing?

Ta in advance!

[exaisle]

Final update....as it turned out, it wasnt water ingress that caused the problem.
I had cruise control retro-fitted and the switch (part number 1J0 953 513 01C) was faulty and was shorting to earth on left turns....

[caldirun]

Water ingress front centre is probably a misplaced drain pipe from the aircon.

[exaisle]

Muchly thanks for that reply, caldirun...I'll check that out asap!