2009 Mercedes cls 320

Into our workshop this week was this Merc with parking assist problems and automatic door lock/unlock not working.  A full serial scan showed up 2 faulty parking sensors on the front. A check of these sensors confirmed the fault and 2 new sensors sourced.

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Next we checked the locking system, the normal way it should work is as long as you have the keys on you when you approach the car when you pull the handle on the door it should unlock for you. We stripped the drivers door down and removed the door handle that contains a microswitch that unlocks the door and found water ingress into the switch.

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WATER INGRESS

Another week, another vehicle with water ingress causing havoc with electrical systems.

We are seeing more and more cars with water ingress into the cabin and no manufacturer is immune. It seems that manufacturers are finding it hard to build cars suitable for our environment.

 

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Here we see a car with the passenger seat removed and the carpet lifted to reveal the loom and connectors submerged in water causing various systems to stay live when the car was locked up

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JAGUAR S-TYPE 2004

A busy week in our workshop with amongst other vehicles this jaguar that had various communication issues with ABS, TRACTION AND STABILITY CONTROL, ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE.  Other garages had tried to get to the bottom of the issues but had given up.

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First we plugged in our new dealer level diagnostic equipment AUTOLOGIC and got various fault codes all attributed to the ABS MODULE . The ABS MODULE is situated behind the o/s headlight,  a visual inspection of the area showed signs of damage leading us to suspect it had been in a crash and so could have possible wiring damage around the front of the vehicle. 

The bumper was removed and the loom inspected and various broken wires repaired.  This fixed the ABS problems.

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The electric handbrake was then investigated. A common problem with this can be the module at the rear of the car above the dif.  Luckily with close inspection of the loom leading to this we found a previous repair job had failed so a new stronger repair was carried out.

A factory reset was then performed and everything worked a treat!

Another car with water ingress

We are seeing more and more cars with water ingress into wiring looms and control modules especially Fords and Renault.

Here we see a GEM unit with water ingress causing all sorts of sporadic faults with wipers, warning lights and intermittent starting. The water here was from condensation off the heater matrix DSC_0568Here at WIDNES AUTO ELECTRICAL we are experienced at the removal and repair of these and other similar control units.

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2010 C3 No sidelights

 

 

 

DSC_0637This came into our workshop this week with no sidelights and the customer having already had it into his usual garage which couldn’t locate the fault. . All the obvious checks were made first  like bulbs,fuses and switch.  Through diagnostic live data we could see the switch sending command for sidelights so that eliminated the switch and the wiring to control module.

We then unplugged the module to start checking continuity between it and the sidelights only to see this! DSC_0638

 The plug onto the module was just as bad, but unavailable as a spare part. Luckily  second hand parts were sourced locally and fitted. The customer was extremely happy at the savings against new parts and a quick and proper diagnosis.

2003 Audi A4 – Power module issues

 2003 Audi A3 - Power Module issues repaired by Widnes Auto Electrical

2003 Audi A4 – Solving the mystery power modude issues

Into our busy workshop this week from another garage was this Audi with no wipers and indicators. The other garage had tried another convenience module but the fault remained.

Being  experienced at VAG systems and with both faults being on the steering column we could trace the fault from there 

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Using accurate wiring diagrams, the signals from the steering column  go from the steering column control module to the power distribution module then that module tells the devices to work.DSC_0595

The signals were getting to the power module but it wasn’t sending them out.

A new module was sourced from the agent and plugged in no coding is necessary with this part

 

Pico scope is the most reliable way to test wiring and can signals.


 

The new power distribution module

The new power distribution module


 

 

Car Electrical Repairs in Widnes with Widnes Auto Electrical Services

 

Here at Widnes Auto Electrical Services we specialise in repairing electrical faults in vehicles of all shapes and sizes. We have many years of experience and are the best at what we do in the Widnes area. If you have an electrical fault of any size, then bring in your vehicle into our garage today and let our specialists have a look at it. We can repair anything from: Starter Motors | Diesel Components | Air Con | Alternators | Ignition Components | Electrical Motors | Wiring Fault Finding/Repairs | Vehicle Radio Decoding | Light Faults | Engine Misfires | Plug in Diagnostics

Below are what a few people have said about us when we have repaired their vehicle due to one of the faults listed above:

 

Jack Thompson, Cronton, Widnes: My car had a weird smell coming from it whenever I had the air con on, obviously I didn’t want to cope with the awful smell or the heat with the air con off, so I had a look online and it looked like I needed to get it repaired. I found Widnes Auto’s phone number when surfing the web for a garage in my area. The price they quoted me was great so I brought in my car and left it with them. I picked it up after work and it was brilliant! I didn’t need the window open when on faster roads, I could just have my air con on instead again! Now I don’t have to cope with the annoying noise of wind getting in and the awful smell coming from the air con itself.

Laura Hitchcock, Farnworth, Widnes: My car wouldn’t turn on its headlights for some reason. The indicator on the dash said they were on, but none of them were working. My work shifts are night shifts and due to the roads being dark and headlights being a legal requirement, I couldn’t go to work until it was sorted. I gave Widnes Auto a call after getting their number from a friend. They booked my car in the same day and it was done the same day too!! I can finally get back to work and it’s got my boss off my back, thanks so much guys!

If you are interested in what we can do for you, or you would just like some more information, or even just a free quote, then please don’t hesitate to get into contact with us and a member of our friendly team will be in touch with you shortly.