Electrical issues and van won’t start after rain

[Matt1386]

Ok guys the car has now decided to start this morning after not starting for a few days. Although the wipers still don’t work.

Any idea what’s causing this and where water could have got to to cause these issues so I can try stop it happening again ?

Thanks very much

[cancunia]

Good to know it's started.
If the problem is not the BSI or the earth, then all I can think of is it's in the steering column switches (COM2000) or the wiring between the COM2000 & the BSI.

[jj9]

I take it you have checked the drain holes in the scuttle are clear, the wiper motor isn't lying in a puddle of water is it?



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[bikey]

Yes. Pretty sure blocked scuttle was the cause of my bsi demise. Water tracks down wiring onto circuit board.

[frostyberlingo]

OK, maybe a bad electrical earth inside the cab?
There are some posts on here about the horn not working due to a bad earth on the steering wheel column. Do you have an OBD reader? If not, maybe measure the resistance from the steering column to the battery negative.
Must confess that I'm guessing, but the dash lights going out after a few seconds suggests a bad earth or a bad connection somewhere.

Exactly what I was going to say. The earth is located on the inside of where the aerial is on the inside of the roof behind the interior light and is very prone to leaking through the aerial rubber.

[mikeB]

Ok guys the car has now decided to start this morning after not starting for a few days. Although the wipers still don’t work.

Any idea what’s causing this and where water could have got to to cause these issues so I can try stop it happening again ?

Thanks very much

You say that the BSI is OK. Did you look at BOTH boards, AND, crucially, the connections between them. One board is the brains part of the BSI, and is unique to the car. The other board is a collection of servos which amplify the outputs from the first board. The boards are connected by 2 sets of push fit pins. The pins/sockets are prone to corrosion if allowed to get wet or damp. A high resistance connection is all you need for a fault or faults to occur. Suggest you separate the boards then use an electrical contact spray, like Electrolube, on reassembly. Avoid overspraying the boards. Worth a try if you are prepared to take the BSI out again.