Hi,

 

I have 2002 fabia estate 1.9tdi which has developed some problems.

 

A little history, it has had for a number of years a little electrical issue in that when weather is damp the light swith would play up and the number plate lights would stay on, pressing the switch would resolve this, though did end up with flat battery a few mornings.

 

During the recent cold weather a few warning lights started to come on, abs being one, this cleared with warmer weather.

 

For last few weeks there has been a clunking when on full lock, beleive it maybe the CV joint!

 

Couple of days ago when driving home day out we encountered some very heavy rain, first thing i noticed was the wiper speed was slow and could not changed, then the wipers stopped working altogether, luckily this only lasted about 30 secs.

 

A few minutes later the power steering stopped working and a number of warning lights appeared inc, power steering, abs, hand brake, seat belt

 

Managed to get home ok, as it was late i decided to check things the next morning.

 

Tried to started the car, but battery did not have enough charge, was not fully flat as central locking working ok. I have a spare battery and leads so jumped started it ok.

 

Went for a test drive, no power steering, no wipers and same warning lights, battery did not charge as i would have expected, though no battery charging warning light?

 

Came home and thought I would just leave bonnet open in the sun to see if things dried out, also had a quick look under bonnet and car. I could see no fluid leeks, but did see lot of reddish/pink dust (not rust) on and around the alternator?

 

All the fuses look ok.

 

Around 4/5 hours later jumped started car and found wipers working (only slow speed), power steering also working, no warning lights so when for a drive, lasted about 8 min before power steering and wipers failed, warning lights came back on!

 

 

Possible issues:

 

Power steering pump, though the fact that it started working again for while and the others issues may rule this out

Faulty alternator, all the dust around it and battery not charging makes think that something may be a miss here and this is causing the electrical issue

Unknown electrical problem due to heavy rain, the heavy rain may have caused or made worse an electrical issue, sensor, cable etc

 

Any thoughts?

 

thanks

 

 

Well first things first, "does the charge fail warning light come on when you just turn the key to the first position prior to starting the engine"?

 

After that you really need a multimeter to start chasing electrical issues living with a know failing lighting switch is not good so you are just loading yourself up with extra problems.

 

If the alternator is not charging, check the cables underneath the engine/gearbox area - ie use the search function to help you and stop me typing!

There's a thin wire that goes from the alternator, across the front panel and up into the ECU loom under the battery. It's prone to fraying and breaking, which stops the alternator output. 

Thanks for replies,

 

had another look under car and found fan belt has been thrown off, not sure how i missed this the 1st !

 

Though not sure if this would cause all the problems?

Yeah, that could probably explain quite a bit 

Next step, establish why the belt was thrown off, I guess. Could be just some debris thrown up off the road, could be a seized pulley/tensioner etc.

4 minutes ago, Wino said:

Next step, establish why the belt was thrown off, I guess. Could be just some debris thrown up off the road, could be a seized pulley/tensioner etc.

The belt is not in good condition, very hard. 

 

Thing is I have one that I have been meaning to fit for last couple of months, but tree falling on house meant it got out on the back burner. 

Edited 14 May, 20188 yr by carpman

Oh joy the english language at its best making it sound that you have gone and burned the new belt?

I think he means the tree that fell on the house got put on the back burner. 

I hope.

 

Thanks AG Falco

AGFalco, at first I thought that you had missed my point and you were stating the obvious - but  - - - - - - - -. (english how he is spoked and wroted) Spelling errors deliberate!