Morning all - details upfront, 55 plate 1.9 TDI.

 

Have looked for relevant threads first and found a couple that were similar but went off in a different direction at points, so the resolution might not be right for me.

 

So - as of yesterday, when putting in the key and turning to stage one (ie pre-ignition), there is a warning chime from the handbrake along with the brake symbol, *flashing* red (not stead) along with ABS and ESP in amber.  This continued on ingnition and whilst driving.  There was mixed success with restarting to deal with this.  It worked once, the lights went and stayed off, but then didn't work the next time.

 

Performance wise, including the brakes - no issues at all.  Nothing out of the ordinary.

 

My car has at times done funny electric things that disappear the next day, usually forever - however this morning I just looked through the window, the car not having been used today, and the dash was flashing - brake light on, ABS and ESP on, and the car with bonnet and key was flashing, along with the steering symbol.

 

Looks like weird electrical shenanigans - a short maybe?  That was the cause last time I had weird electrics after heavy rain.  

Quick update - tried to start it, and this turns off most of those lights however the engine does not turn over.  Instead there was a NGNGNGNGNG kind of noise, which sounded like it was coming from the CD player, and the dash flickered slightly.  No sound of trying to actually start.  Battery says it's fine (eg colour indicator on top is green).

The 'battery indicator' you mention does not indicate state of charge (SOC) - it merely indicates the electrolyte level in one of the centre cells. Do you have a test meter to check the battery voltage?

Is the battery original?

Cheers, yes I am more inclined to battery after thinking it over (but not turning it over!)

 

The battery is six years old almost to the day, installed October 2018.

 

I have no means to test it, but if the battery was the issue, I assume the car would start with leads?

Edited 2 October, 20241 yr by JamieH86

Yes, unless the present battery has an internal dead short (which does not sound to be the case)

Is it the case that you have not seen any charging system fault indications recently (red battery symbol) - apart from when you first switch on the ignition?

2 hours ago, JamieH86 said:

Cheers, yes I am more inclined to battery after thinking it over (but not turning it over!)

 

The battery is six years old almost to the day, installed October 2018.

 

I have no means to test it, but if the battery was the issue, I assume the car would start with leads?

Almost certainly, particularly if the starter goes "clunk" but doesn't turn the engine at all.

Update - had a mechanic come to take a look.  During the course of the day, the power had been discharging and so for instance the radio worked this morning, but not now, the boot switch has stopped working etc.  The lights on the dash had also died off.

 

The mechanic attached a power pack to the battery, and hey presto, the engine started.  However with NO dashboard lights (not even the engine/battery etc ones that come on then go off when you start it).

 

In addition, I then took the key out to turn off the engine... but it kept going.  I had to stall it to stop it.  It did not start again on subsequent attempst, though the relays were audible on trying. 

 

The mechanic had no physical reaction from the battery terminals, ie he was expecting a spark or some sign of life.   The headlights work... that is a plus.

 

So to summarise as things stand...

 

1. car power discharged over the course of today with no use.

2. engine started with power pack, but no dash lights.

3. the car had to be stalled to stop it; it kept going after the key was removed.

4. car did not start on second (or subsequent) attempts, though there was still power in the system.

 

That's where things stand, any help appreciated!

Edited 2 October, 20241 yr by JamieH86

Oh and two more things... the fuel needle is now showing the fuel level even when engine off, and I just tried turning the key to first position and got a repetitive clicking from nearby the key area and the dash lights danced again for a bit... plus it reset my clock and trip miles.

 

 

Start with a new battery only £85 delivered for a 096XD heavy duty from advanced battery services site. 

Cheers.  From my reading, I am also wondering if the ingnition switch could be suspect?

Inspired by a similar thread, I took a look under the cover where the fan resistor is under the glove box in the passenger footwell, and there was a slight trace of moisture on the inside of the cover and back wall of the area.  However this may just have been condensation as there were a few areas where it was condensed slightly.  Might be totally irrelevant!

 

 

Ok stop press... looked under the bonnet on the other side of that footwell and there is a dark, damp patch on the fabric lining of the engine bay that corresponds with that area, in the vicinity of the ABS pump.

 

Because it is dark and stained I couldn't say if this was new water ingress or if it has been getting in for some time without issues (though, I did have to have the ABS pump replaced a few months ago).

 

Thoughts?  Is there anything around there that could get wet and cause these issues?

Check under the scuttle panel cover on that side to make sure the drain holes/slots are clear of debris and coagulated dust. Check also the air inlet to the cabin heater as that can pass water into the cabin past the seal, which might explain the condensation you found. Note, if you go poking under the carpet and insulation there may be more damp than you expect.

While you are on, peel back the wheel arch liner at the back of that front wheel an make sure it is clear of leaves etc.

I think what you may be hearing when trying to start, or at least turn the ignition on, is relays chugging, so it may just be a simple fix at this point.

Moisture was just condensation in the end.

 

And everything else boiled down to... failed battery cell.  It was only capable of 4.6 volts.  Battery replaced and now good as new.

14 minutes ago, JamieH86 said:

Moisture was just condensation in the end.

 

And everything else boiled down to... failed battery cell.  It was only capable of 4.6 volts.  Battery replaced and now good as new.

Glad you have it back to how it should be. Happy motoring. These 1.9s go on for ages. Rust was the only enemy I had at 250k onwards. Had a hard motorway life. If you can protect underneath do it. 

Well mine's only a few short of 250,000 miles.  There is some corrosion underneath though I was advised to leave it, as most products, and I quote, "just seal it in".

 

Is there a good way to treat it though?

9 minutes ago, JamieH86 said:

Well mine's only a few short of 250,000 miles.  There is some corrosion underneath though I was advised to leave it, as most products, and I quote, "just seal it in".

 

Is there a good way to treat it though?

 

I've been looking at using Lanoguard for mine.  Not got round to doing it yet and now the weather is getting worse it will be yet another thing to put off until the Spring.

20 hours ago, Golf-Fiend said:

 

I've been looking at using Lanoguard for mine.  Not got round to doing it yet and now the weather is getting worse it will be yet another thing to put off until the Spring.

We've still got some nice days... would you say it is too late now this year?

1 hour ago, JamieH86 said:

We've still got some nice days... would you say it is too late now this year?

 

For me it is as I'm going to hospital for cancer treatment starting tomorrow, so crawling around under a car right now is a long way down on my list of priorities!!! You, on the other hand, probably have a good few weeks to do it!  Do it. Take some pics. Post them on this thread and encourage me to do it next year!