M

moatmeister

Member
Hi Everyone

Its 4.30am and couldnt sleep. Going to have a good trawl round the forum and a cup of tea but in the meantime any clues to this.....???
1997 4.6 P38 has been going great and to my knowledge all electrical circuitry has been functional, so not been here much recently but
yesterday it started flashing the fog lights randomly and continually like a Solihull christmas decoration after being locked up, and the rear doors wont lock via the central locking. Wifey also reports that the main beam warning light no longer works. Not sure yet whether that means that the main beam lights dont come on or not.

Battery replaced a couple of months ago with the recommended alphaline monster. Seems to have no charging issues.

I havnt examined it yet will check it out a bit later today but any initial thoughts please? Presume this is the BeCM playing up but what to do about it??
 
Check your drivers footwell carpets for dampness....esp. up by the left foot rest under the dash!

If you have moisture ingress, it can wreck havoc with the BeCM.....

The lights are controlled via the BeCM!
 
Yes thats what I thought.

There is a slight weep from the heater matrix but and the carpets are not bone dry but its not excessive and certainly not sodden. It uses minimal water I have been monitoring it and intend to do the o rings and blend motors shortly but was hoping to get through the bad weather cos will have to be done outside

There is a relay constantly clicking under the drivers seat presumably in the BECM. I have disconnected the battery for now.
 
ANY wet in the drivers footwell can lead to condensation forming inside the BECM causing problems. Always run with the aircon on as that helps dry things out.
 
Ok so if it is the BeCM what should the next course of action be please??
Should I try to dry it out with a fan heater and see if it improves??
 
moatmeister said:
Ok so if it is the BeCM what should the next course of action be please??
Should I try to dry it out with a fan heater and see if it improves??
Click to expand...
Dehumidifier would be best, or unplug the BECM, take it out of the car and put it in a warm airing cupboard for a few days.
If it is definitely the BECM, Rick the Pick is your man, Callrover of Hove.
 
Datatek said:
Dehumidifier would be best, or unplug the BECM, take it out of the car and put it in a warm airing cupboard for a few days.
If it is definitely the BECM, Rick the Pick is your man, Callrover of Hove.
Click to expand...
Typo..... it's Callrova
 
Will get on the case with it today and see what happens. Got a dehumidifier in stock, although as usual someone, - well wifey for her dog grooming business - has borrowed it!

I'll repossess it, stick it in and report back..........

Dont have to go anywhere particularly but do you think it is still ok to use it or not? it still starts runs and drives ok but dont want to make things worse! Normally have a backup vehicle available but not at the moment. Been lulled into a false sense of security cos the rangie has been going so well recently!!!
 
Random flashing exterior lamps could get you a pull from the plod.

Also, depending on severity of the cause, it may lock you out and imobilise the car.....the P38 is very could at losing the sync code from BeCM to Engine ECU
 
Tried drying out the BECM, no improvement!

Do you have to take the seat out to properly access the BECM?

Anyone in staffordshire shropshire or the west mids with nanocom etc and BECM experiance fancy having an initial look before anything gets worse please??
 
moatmeister said:
Tried drying out the BECM, no improvement!

Do you have to take the seat out to properly access the BECM?

Anyone in staffordshire shropshire or the west mids with nanocom etc and BECM experiance fancy having an initial look before anything gets worse please??
Click to expand...
Disconnect the battery, whip the seat out, remove the BECM, take the lid off and check for damp or corrosion inside. Careful what you touch, you can wash with contact cleaner NOT WD40!
Did you check the under bonnet fuse box.
 
Yes no obvious crisis in the under bonnet fuse box.

The obvious faults are:
rapidly flashing fog lights, including mimic light in the switch,and rapid relay clicking noise from under seat area.

Central locking not working on rear doors.

Do you know which fuse runs the driving/fog lights please?

I will get the seat out tomorrow
 
moatmeister said:
Yes no obvious crisis in the under bonnet fuse box.

The obvious faults are:
rapidly flashing fog lights, including mimic light in the switch,and rapid relay clicking noise from under seat area.

Central locking not working on rear doors.

Do you know which fuse runs the driving/fog lights please?

I will get the seat out tomorrow
Click to expand...
I'm just wondering if the BECM has hiccuped and acquired some police settings, they like flashing lights:eek:
Fuse will be in the owners manual or RAVE.
 
moatmeister said:
Cheers

Radio has packed up now and message saying fuse 8 blown. Not sure if thats related but I suppose it is somehow!!
Click to expand...

Fuse 8 powers relay 7 in BECM. That is switched power to radio and hevac. Spots are a momentary switch, so maybe you have something flopping about and shorting.
 
PCB's and 50% coolant mix is a marriage made in hell !!!
Remove the Becm, take off the top cover (TX10 key), unplug CAREFULLY the ribbon cable connectors and lift the board from the opposite side to the fuses until it's vertical. Remove the torx screws (TX10) securing the lower board and lift out. Check for any signs of corrosion on both boards and if necessary clean off with Switch cleaner or Isopropyl (Alcohol) and an old toothbrush. Do not use any other cleaner or solvent. If there was contamination and the tracks look good after cleaning, place the boards in a dry warm (Not hot) place overnight and spray the boards where cleaned with PCB Lacquer. The cleaning material and lacquer are available from Maplins, RS or Farnell etc.
When finished, reinstall the boards, taking great care to reconnect the ribbon cable connectors, ensuring that they are aligned and kept vertical when pushed down.
As Datatek says, it's not the liquid but the vapour that attacks the boards due to the Becm being raised above the carpet level and not in direct contact with the wet carpet.
 
Irishrover said:
PCB's and 50% coolant mix is a marriage made in hell !!!
Remove the Becm, take off the top cover (TX10 key), unplug CAREFULLY the ribbon cable connectors and lift the board from the opposite side to the fuses until it's vertical. Remove the torx screws (TX10) securing the lower board and lift out. Check for any signs of corrosion on both boards and if necessary clean off with Switch cleaner or Isopropyl (Alcohol) and an old toothbrush. Do not use any other cleaner or solvent. If there was contamination and the tracks look good after cleaning, place the boards in a dry warm (Not hot) place overnight and spray the boards where cleaned with PCB Lacquer. The cleaning material and lacquer are available from Maplins, RS or Farnell etc.
When finished, reinstall the boards, taking great care to reconnect the ribbon cable connectors, ensuring that they are aligned and kept vertical when pushed down.
As Datatek says, it's not the liquid but the vapour that attacks the boards due to the Becm being raised above the carpet level and not in direct contact with the wet carpet.
Click to expand...

Hiya John you're not dead then. :D:D
 
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