Hi there,

 

Today my Octavia II TDI went completely crazy.

 

I've had a slight problem from time to time, but it merely cut the power shortly when turning right - and then came back, so I thought it has something to do with a bad connection which only affected it when the car had a certain angle or something... however, shortly after leaving home today it died completely at an intersection. After checking the fuses I eventually discovered it was when I activated the turn signals to the right... when I put the lever to the left, all power came back and I could start the engine and return home.

 

It doesn't blow any fuses, it merely cuts the power completely except for the radio and the seat belt warning light... what could cause such a. behaviour? I read in another post it could be caused by a worn out battery, and true enough - my battery is not exactly the best anymore. Could that be the cause? 

 

23 minutes ago, brufnus said:

I read in another post it could be caused by a worn out battery

It could be, or it could be a CANBus issue? One of my neighbours had their RH DRL strobing for about 2 years before the dealer found the issue.

1 hour ago, Paws4Thot said:

It could be, or it could be a CANBus issue? One of my neighbours had their RH DRL strobing for about 2 years before the dealer found the issue.

Okay, thanks... I'll try replacing the battery first; that one needs to go anyway. :-D

Isn't the obvious thing to look for a wire or wires that are being affected by movement of the indicator stalk? Some disassembly of plastic covers may be needed, possibly only the top one?

Someone may have been in there previously and not put a wiring loom back correctly, in a way that means it has now been damaged by mechanical movement. 

2 minutes ago, Breezy_Pete said:

Isn't the obvious thing to look for a wire or wires that are being affected by movement of the indicator stalk? Some disassembly of plastic covers may be needed, possibly only the top one?

Someone may have been in there previously and not put a wiring loom back correctly, in a way that means it has now been damaged by mechanical movement. 

It could be, yes... but what's puzzling me is that it doesn't short out and blow a fuse, but rather kills almost all electrical components which then comes back to life when I reset the indicator arm... c".)

Could be a wire broken rather than wires shorted.

In some positions the broken ends remain touching, in others they're pulled apart?

A wire from the ignition switch, for example, could have widespread effects if intermittent. 

All speculation, but worth a free look before starting to fire up the parts cannon, I think.

2 hours ago, Breezy_Pete said:

Could be a wire broken rather than wires shorted.

In some positions the broken ends remain touching, in others they're pulled apart?

A wire from the ignition switch, for example, could have widespread effects if intermittent. 

All speculation, but worth a free look before starting to fire up the parts cannon, I think.

 

Indeed, it could be an open rather than a shorting wire. I'll check that as well, good idea - thanks!

Water somewhere, like the ECU plenum?