Well, it's not getting any better! This may be a long post, so hang in there please!
Following this post, I had the car in at the garage. Two days it was there - couldn't find any issue.
Has been mediocre since, it's fair to say, a few lazy starts but OK. Then we get to last Friday night - M6 southbound, 40 mins into my journey to London. Oil warning light come on, flashes a handful of times then disappears. Think to myself that it must be electrics related again as I checked the oil level before I set off and it was fine. Coil light then does the same thing. Then airbag light come on and stays lit. Followed by ABS and Traction. All of these stay on, I start to become more concerned. 5 minutes after all three lights have come on and stayed, I have a complete electrical system failure - headlights, dash, the whole lot - blackout. Main problem being I'm in lane 3 of the M6 doing 80
- thankfully managed to successfully negotiate a dive to the hard shoulder without incident.
Hazards failed to operate as I moved from 3 to the H.S.. Engine was still running. It wasn't until I'd turned off the ignition fully and tried the engine again that the hazards at least were firing. No life at all when I tried to start, just a very faint clicking. No starter activity at all.
Called out my roadside assist. They came after 50 mins and towed me to the nearest services which was thankfully only a mile down the road. On examination, he noticed that battery symbol wasn't appearing at ignition 2, indicating the battery wasn't receiving a charge? Checked under bonnet connections, battery connections, alternator. Apart from the alternator showing some corrosion in places, nothing was amiss (surely not unusual on a 4.5yr old car?). He started the car via jump leads; car fired into life as normal. Battery then proceeded to charge right upto the standard 14.4v when put under load. Following test starts were fine. Guy was completely flummoxed! So was I
- I elected to turn round and go home. Car ran absolutely fine, and battery voltage was normal (I've got the battery gauge). For obvious reasons, I was a little wary about carrying onto London, then having to come back today.
So, please, give me my 'starter for 10' here - I'm thinking a full 5051 or at least VAG-COM scan to look for clues? This has to be sorted, as I can't have a car that could potentially let me down like this again. I was lucky this time, but I'd rather not have to test my luck again. Guy also suggested the 'earthing bus' that's behind the earthing point at the top of the N/S wheelarch? If this has somehow become open to air/elements then that could be causing issues?
I'm right in thinking this must be an intermittent power earthing issue of some kind? The battery showed itself to be in good health, after this episode and also on the earlier test conducted by the garage.
Thanks, in anticipation of any help
Steve
Following this post, I had the car in at the garage. Two days it was there - couldn't find any issue.
Has been mediocre since, it's fair to say, a few lazy starts but OK. Then we get to last Friday night - M6 southbound, 40 mins into my journey to London. Oil warning light come on, flashes a handful of times then disappears. Think to myself that it must be electrics related again as I checked the oil level before I set off and it was fine. Coil light then does the same thing. Then airbag light come on and stays lit. Followed by ABS and Traction. All of these stay on, I start to become more concerned. 5 minutes after all three lights have come on and stayed, I have a complete electrical system failure - headlights, dash, the whole lot - blackout. Main problem being I'm in lane 3 of the M6 doing 80
- thankfully managed to successfully negotiate a dive to the hard shoulder without incident.Hazards failed to operate as I moved from 3 to the H.S.. Engine was still running. It wasn't until I'd turned off the ignition fully and tried the engine again that the hazards at least were firing. No life at all when I tried to start, just a very faint clicking. No starter activity at all.
Called out my roadside assist. They came after 50 mins and towed me to the nearest services which was thankfully only a mile down the road. On examination, he noticed that battery symbol wasn't appearing at ignition 2, indicating the battery wasn't receiving a charge? Checked under bonnet connections, battery connections, alternator. Apart from the alternator showing some corrosion in places, nothing was amiss (surely not unusual on a 4.5yr old car?). He started the car via jump leads; car fired into life as normal. Battery then proceeded to charge right upto the standard 14.4v when put under load. Following test starts were fine. Guy was completely flummoxed! So was I
- I elected to turn round and go home. Car ran absolutely fine, and battery voltage was normal (I've got the battery gauge). For obvious reasons, I was a little wary about carrying onto London, then having to come back today.So, please, give me my 'starter for 10' here - I'm thinking a full 5051 or at least VAG-COM scan to look for clues? This has to be sorted, as I can't have a car that could potentially let me down like this again. I was lucky this time, but I'd rather not have to test my luck again. Guy also suggested the 'earthing bus' that's behind the earthing point at the top of the N/S wheelarch? If this has somehow become open to air/elements then that could be causing issues?
I'm right in thinking this must be an intermittent power earthing issue of some kind? The battery showed itself to be in good health, after this episode and also on the earlier test conducted by the garage.
Thanks, in anticipation of any help
Steve
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