Hi All

My first post on the forum, so here goes and I hope that you can help with my problem.

On returning to my '95 P38 I noticed that the drivers' door was locked, but the other doors were not. The central locking hadn't shut down and I hadn't noticed when I left the vehicle.

Turning the ignition key I found a series of error messages on the dash display. The first was 'Alarm Fault - refer to handbook'. Then 'Electrical Fault - refer to dealer'.

The handbook basically tells me to ignore the alarm warning, although there must be a problem somewhere as the central locking doesn't work, probably due to electical fault that that also been detected.

Now for the craziest part of the scenario.
The electrics appear to have gone haywire -

The vehicle won't start.... just a click from the relay when I turn the key.

With the ignition on.... the headlights are on, even with the light switch in the off position.

The left and right direction indicators work fine and the dash indicator lights blink away....but the indicator's audio is mute.

The interior courtesy lights don't work.

The windows will wind down....but won't wind back up (polythene currently gaffer-taped to drivers' window )

It did turn over and fire, at the fifth or sixth attempt to start it and the EAS is at the correct ride height, but the ride is very stiff (Just had new air shocks all round) when I drove it around the block.

Now it's back on the drive and I can't get a peep out of it.

Could this be a faulty ECU and if so, any guesses which one.

Don't you just love 'em?

Cheers
Steve

Try disconnecting the battery and leaving for 10 mins mate, when you reconnect this will induce an ECU reboot and hopefully solve your problems.

It is like a home computer playing up, if at first you don't suceed switch off and try again........

Thanks Simon72 - I'll give it a go.

I'm not going anywhere for the moment

Steve


EDIT

30 MINUTES LATER.......

1. Reconnect battery
2. Insert ignition key
3. Cross fingers (notice interior light is now on)
4. Turn key.........Brrrrrrrmmmmmmmmmmm !!!!!!
5. Breath sigh of relief.

Window winds up / headlights not on / indicators bleeping again / All systems go!

Thanks Simon72
If I'm ever in Wolverhampton or you're ever in Bristol, I owe you a pint.

Cheers
Steve

Glad I could be of assistance, this sort of fault used to happen to my Citroen C2, so I presumed it was a similar fault due to the ECU controls everyting via a nice can-bus system.

If only we could sort our problems out like that!! but good show Simon well diagnosed m8

Glad you got it sorted, however, before breathing a big sigh of relief I would check the condition of the battery, how old is it, could be a dying battery. Also check all the grounding cables for any corrosion or any points that look rusted and corroded up. Also check the fusebox for any burnt smells or any physical damage, such as corrosion again.

This isnt something that usually happens, it could be symptoms to a bigger problem, keep an eye out on all of the above.

-Wills

Same thing happened again this morning as I got into work.

Central locking didn't work and alarm didn't arm itself.

On checking the ignition sequence the car refused to start and all the previous symptoms were back.

Disconnected battery and reconnected after 10 mins - all systems go, so is obviously not just a one off, but likely to be a re-occuring problem if I don't get it sorted.

Will try a few of your suggestions Wills, but the battery is in good nick and only 18 months old.

Cheers
Steve

Just because the battery is only 18 months old, don't discount it, battery's on some Landys don't seem to last long at all, and at 18 months yours could be on its way out, and always suspect a new part too, parts are not what they used to be......

I have had new parts, and battery's, not suspecting them at all, and replacing one old bad part with a new bad part!!