Technical Warning Lights on Dash

[GettinBetter]

Drove ~17 miles or so to an appointment this morning, somewhere around a third of the way, I noticed the lights on the dash
and a warning that the fuel cutout was unavailable , the other warning lights were the passengers seatbelt and the passengers airbag and S/S unavailable. After parking up for an hour (for my appointment), and restarting, the S/S was again available, and working normally (when I let it).

Having no prior experience with any warning lights, I just thought I'd ask before I stick MES on it.

I'm quietly thinking tailgate wiring harness.....
Still drives fine.

 

[GettinBetter]

Mm.. no comms with air bag module!

 

[ZaphodB]

I'm quietly thinking tailgate wiring harness.....

If there is canbus in that tailgate loom it could affect anything.

 

[GettinBetter]

Mm... will rule out that first by thorough inspection inside that boot (both ends). I don't want to get involved with airbag crap just yet. Plus why would the fuel cutoff be disabled at the same time?
I did disconnect battery for half an hour, well you have to, don't ya.

 

[ZaphodB]

Fuel Cutout is related to airbag system ......

Still wouldn't harm checking that loom out.... good test is a good gentle pull of each separate cable from as far apart as you can reach.

Intact copper will withstand the pull, and a break will show itself very clearly by stretching

 

[GettinBetter]

... Intact copper will withstand the pull, and a break will show itself very clearly by stretching

I was thinking more of it shorting rather than going open circuit.... some of the images I've seen on here, show insulation breaking down. Am I mistaken?

 

[ZaphodB]

Could be either or both from what I've seen, shorting to adjacent cables and/or direct to chassis.

 

[GettinBetter]

Could be either or both from what I've seen, shorting to adjacent cables and/or direct to chassis.

Ok, it defo needs a look then. Cars 2013, so I'm surprised it's lasted this long, unless of course it's been done before. We'll have to see.

 

[ZaphodB]

Ok, it defo needs a look then. Cars 2013, so I'm surprised it's lasted this long, unless of course it's been done before. We'll have to see.

Statistically you're only able to open your rear hatch (from new) 1761 times before problems start to surface

Do you know where you're up to ?

 

[GettinBetter]

1762 probably

 

[puntodeltathema]

If you're lucky you can get your airbag ECU repaired by one of the mail order places...but no point until the hatch wiring is sorted. It is a known failure mode for the ECUs, i.e. fried by a short in the tailgate wiring (for some reason...)

 

[ZaphodB]

Also it could be your heater matrix has sprung a leak , the airbag control module is directly under the heater matrix on the centre rail.

 

[steveras57]

Could be either or both from what I've seen, shorting to adjacent cables and/or direct to chassis.

for a minute i thought you'd posted a picture of a good one!

 

[ZaphodB]

for a minute i thought you'd posted a picture of a good one!

 

[GettinBetter]

... the airbag control module is directly under the heater matrix on the centre rail.

Jeezz .... that's all I need, I'm struggling to move now, so won't be able to fix it for ages.

Perhaps with a bit more vibration it'll fix itself.

 

[ZaphodB]

Jeezz .... that's all I need, I'm struggling to move now, so won't be able to fix it for ages.

Perhaps with a bit more vibration it'll fix itself.

Maybe see if theres any hint of moisture there in the carpet , see if the coolant level is good.

 

[GettinBetter]

Maybe see if theres any hint of moisture there in the carpet , see if the coolant level is good.

Yep checked coolant, hasn't lost anything since adding that rad leak stuff whilst going around Europe last year.

 

[ZaphodB]

Yep checked coolant, hasn't lost anything since adding that rad leak stuff whilst going around Europe last year.

Where were you losing it then?

The thing is if it is (was) a matrix leak, the leak could have happened (now stopped) and the symptoms (as with all liquid ingress on electronics) can take a while to surface

 

[GettinBetter]

Where were you losing it then?

Yes, I was going around Europe on a bit of a mission, and developed a leak, which got worse as I continued on my journey. In desparation I put a couple of raw eggs in the system, which worked a treat untill I thrashed it down the autobahn, but by then I had bought some rad leak stuff from a petrol station. If anything was coming into the cab I'd smell it straight away. Leak starts about here Trip Around Europe .

The thing is if it is (was) a matrix leak, the leak could have happened (now stopped) and the symptoms (as with all liquid ingress on electronics) can take a while to surface

My smell senses are really acute, I'd smell it straight away, and would have investigated immediately, knowing full well what happens if you leave water sitting.