Hi all,

 

I recently posted that my ecu was fried and that it needed replacing. However I've noticed some interesting behaviour from the ecu lately.

The problems I have been having are happening less frequently and I have noticed that when it rains, is cold and damp or when I wash the car I get the problems that have been linked to the ecu. Basically the coil plug light won't show on dash and the car won't start. But after a few turns of the key it does start.

Is it likely that the water is getting into the ecu and causing a short and if so is there any way of waterproofing the ecu instead of going for a replacement? Has anyone had a similar problem? Any help would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

Keith

The ECU is in the "plenum chamber" I think Skoda call it. The area where the wiper motor is. It is raised off water collection height by a stand and is normally pretty well sealed with a jacket. You could google or search for some images.  That said, I suppose it would not be impossible to have a water ingress problem.  I seem to recall a few others being reported in the time I've been reading here.

 

Sounds like you need to get in there and have a look.  Probably send the ECU off for repair. And check the water tightness of the jacket and connecting looms and look for any water corrosion ingress evidence.

 

Also a good time to clear the drainage holes for the area (which drain down into the wheel arches).

 

Not a big job to get in there but you need to remove wipers so a wiper arm puller helps.

Thanks for the info.

Its probably wishful thinking on my part that I won't need a big job done on the ECU or a replacement but I was intrigued by the fact that the problems appear weather related.

The man who looked at the problem when it first started has charged me a fortune to just 'diagnose' the problem so I'm slow to give him any more money to be honest.

 

Your help was appreciated