Electrical Problems

[Lightning]

Geez, maybe I really DO need to change my logon ID:

I went for a drive to Northam, York and Beverley today (300km or so) and, on the way back in heavy rain, I suddenly noticed a few strange things happening. Both indicator lights were on and when I turned high beam on, they flicked on and off. A whole bunch of warning lights came on, the car didn't miss a beat, but as they they went out, the ABS and TC warning lights stayed on.

Not being game to stop the car, I checked that my braking still worked, turned off all excess electrics (stereo etc) and drove the 80km or so home. Indicators and everythign seemed to work okay, except when changing to high beam. ABS and TC lights stayed on.

I got home, pulled into the carport and turned on high beam, all 4 indicators came on. So, I turned off the engine and waited a while. Now, when I lock or unlock the car, the front park lights and rear indicators flash instead of all 4 indicators.

When you push the hazard button, rear indicators flash and front park lights (not front indicators).

When I start the engine, all indicators except for the seatbelt light go out for a short time and all looks normal, then both indicators, the high beam symbol, ABS and TC come on. Park lights are on and all 4 indicators. Parkers flash when

I've checked the fuse box under the bonnet and there is no indication of water. Any other suggestions?

I guess it's getting towed to the dealer on Tuesday. Not happy, Jan.

Lightning....

[Ninka]

Lightning, sorry to hear to of your troubles, sounds really weird.

Not sure if the Body Control Module looks after all the lights you are seeing on your car, but a visit to your dealer sounds like a good idea

Who did you buy it from?

[Lightning]

Lightning, sorry to hear to of your troubles, sounds really weird.

Not sure if the Body Control Module looks after all the lights you are seeing on your car, but a visit to your dealer sounds like a good idea

Who did you buy it from?

Ninka,

I'm beginning to wonder if the battery charging problems aren't totally fixed. When the alternator wasn't charging the battery, I was getting weird 'cockpit' displays too. Perhaps the BCM gets its knickers in a knot if it doesn't have the voltage 'just right'. Damned silly way to design a car, if you ask me.

I have to go to work tomororw (but it's a Public Holiday here) and can't drive it as it is now, so we'll see what happens on the morning.

Titan Ford was the dealer. I have no hesitation that they'll do the right thing.

Cheers,

Lightning....

[Cam]

You will find that the BEM will take the normal car voltage and regulate it to a lower voltage (probably 8V). This is to provide a stable known voltage at all normal operating voltages.

If the voltage was to fall below about 8.5V (8V + .5V drop required for regulation) the BEM would be supplied with less then the required voltage and may very well start to do 'funny' things.....

Dont know if this is the case - what is your battery voltage now?

[Lightning]

You will find that the BEM will take the normal car voltage and regulate it to a lower voltage (probably 8V). This is to provide a stable known voltage at all normal operating voltages.

If the voltage was to fall below about 8.5V (8V + .5V drop required for regulation) the BEM would be supplied with less then the required voltage and may very well start to do 'funny' things.....

Dont know if this is the case - what is your battery voltage now?

Cam,

Unfortunately, I don't have a multi-meter available at home. However, on the previous occasion when the battery wasn't charging, it was 11.x and 10.x volts and 'funny' things were going on: Remote wouldn't unlock the car, but when you opened the door, all the indicators would flash etc, the Engine warning light stayed on the first time after trying to start etc.

Anyway, I embarressed myself last time thinking it couldn't be the battery, so I won't pursue this line

Lightning....

[Guest swanweb]

Yeah Titan ford are the biggest in perth.. not bad but range ford offer the best service.

[Lightning]

Whatever it is, I suspect it may be a loose cable (again). I had a fiddle under the bonnet this morning (found the legendry rubber band, 2 in fact), removed the headlamp fuses and the things still come on when locking and unlocking the car. However, at one point, it went back to normal. I started the car and it went weird again.

At one point, I gave up and dropped the bonnet, locked the car and all 4 indicators worked, as per normal. You beauty, I said. Locked and unlocked half a dozen times and then went back to being 'wierd'.

I'll be calling the dealer tomorrow and getting it collected from my house so that they can sort it, for once and for all.

Lightning....

[XR6TK1W1]

Personally I would say the BEM is Stuffed. All lights share the same earthing point I:E right front has one for all lights on the right, left front has its own and the rear has one earth point for both sides. A loose wire would cause no probs in the dash. Get the dealer to run a diagnostic to see if there is a short or open circuit and go from there. If your BEM is an early one its mostlikey faulty.

[Lightning]

If your BEM is an early one its mostlikey faulty.

I doubt it's an early one, it was an April build :(

I'll leave it up to the dealer to diagnose. That's their job. Sorry, I didn't mean to sound patronising there, but I don't want to go putting ideas into their heads. They have 4 days to sort it before I need it for a 630km trip.

Lightning....

[Guest MavSS]

Damn it Lightning. You got the both indicator lights stay on while flicking on & off when the high beam is turned off in combination with a bunch of warning lights coming on followed by the ABS and TC warning lights staying on when the rest are turned off option!!! You lucky bugger !!!