Hi, I was out on Xmas eve when suddenly I got a message saying Engine fault Workshop. I had the glow plug light,steering column, esp & engine lights come on all at once & then the car died. After turning it off for a while & then trying to start it I had nothing apart from loud bleep & all the lights....what is puzzling me is the| next day I went out to it, it started as if nothing had happened. What would be a cause for this to happen please

Edited 28 December, 202528 Dec by morphMite
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Could be as simple as a failing battery or bad earth/wiring fault/fuse/relay problem somewhere but you will need to get it scanned to see if it stored any fault codes to hopefully pin point the problem. Check that the battery is good and reading at least 12.4volts engine off and is actually charging 13.7-14.7volts when engine running. Check battery terminals etc and earths for corosion as well as fuses/relays for looseness or corosion as well. As said difficult/impossible to tell until its been scanned.

Alasdair

Thank you for your reply, my son scanned it & it came up with a u1010 code which then interlinked all other faults as I never had any faults on the car bar a wheel speed sensor what I knew about. I will get another battery as it's only reading 11.3 volts on the ignition

If the battery is 11.3 volts its either very low and needing charged or failed. Depending on how old it is it might need replacing if it wont charge up fully. With the car running are you getting 13.7-14.7 volts as it may be the alternator thats not charging rather than a failed battery.

Alasdair

Yes the alternator is putting out 13.9v when running but once engine off it drops to under 12v. I did notice both times the car failed on me I was turning right, would that help in pin pointing main fault

Sounds like the battery is failing. The turning may be coincidence or perhaps the power steering uses more power turning right? and the voltage has dropped too low for the electronics in car. I would try a different known good battery or a new one.

2 minutes ago, Alasdair1 said:

perhaps the power steering uses more power turning right?

Would the road camber be enough to affect this? Right turn, rising camber, left turn falling camber.

Will change battery & many thanks for you time & knowledge

Not sure but another quick point is disconnect battery while checking voltage before starting. just in case there is a drain somewhere. If it still reads under 12 and wont charge up any higher then I would get a new one.

Alasdair

On 29/12/2025 at 11:13, Alasdair1 said:

Not sure but another quick point is disconnect battery while checking voltage before starting. just in case there is a drain somewhere. If it still reads under 12 and wont charge up any higher then I would get a new one.

Alasdair

Hi all, just to let you know, I still have a problem with losing communication with TCM. Have tried different battery with no luck. So I've been told it is possibly the TCM packing up as it had a new mechatronics put on just before I bought it. Think it may be time to look for another car

Started car up today,didn't drive it anywhere yet after about 10mins ticking over the TCM then lost communication again. Would this mean the TCM is onvth| way out as have tried all other things

Read a post regarding TCM wiring. The plug to gearbox was dirty with oil/water ingress causing no comms. Check its clean and making good contact etc.

Alasdair

Hi all thank you for your time but I've scrapped the car now as it's the gearbox gone & not putting money into a 15yr old car