A bit of a Redhead moment

[montravia]

I'm quite pleased really.

Been feeling a bit left out.

La Ragazza (Granturismo) has been left outside over winter. Usually fired up and a run at least every 7 days.

Short run this afternoon, fine. Parked, shopped, cupped o' tay, and gentle whoosh home.

Halfway back she had a fratch.

ABS failure
MSP failure
Suspension failure
SMOBF failure (SoManyOtherBloodyFailures I've given up)
What looks like a suspension damper at 45 degrees, looking angry
Take to dealer


all functions otherwise OK, I think

Pulled over, switched off. Failure indicators remain on.

Home, lock her up, return in a few minutes, fire up, alerts all clear.
Off for a short run. Gave her tail a good thrashing, no indicators
Pulled over and called Uncle Dick in Swindon.

First question: Do I use a battery conditioner? Erm, no. Well it could be a wheel sensor set, but likely battery condition, says Dick's mate.

Just ordered the CTEK MX5, Cig lighter adapter, and comfort extender.

Noticed quiet a lot of condensation over the battery and some in the well. Not sure that I like the look of that.

Does the boot 12V Cig Lighter socket remain live when the ignition is off, or should I connect with the mini rings?

 

[Doohickey]

The 12v socket is live so you can plug it in there which is what I do. It certainly sounds like a flattening battery.

 

[CatmanV2]

Low battery *or* potentially failing ABS sensor, which is what I had.

I had the same set of messages: Proceed to dealer for non-surgical walletectomy.

C

 

[montravia]

The 12v socket is live so you can plug it in there which is what I do. It certainly sounds like a flattening battery.

Excellent, I like easy.

Thanks for letting me know

 

[montravia]

Low battery *or* potentially failing ABS sensor, which is what I had.

I had the same set of messages: Proceed to dealer for non-surgical walletectomy.

C

CTEC MX5 arriving tomorrow so I'll see what the condition status is before fagging with sensors.


Do you get water in your lower boot well? Dunno about you it makes me feel uncomfortable

 

[CatmanV2]

CTEC MX5 arriving tomorrow so I'll see what the condition status is before fagging with sensors.


Do you get water in your lower boot well? Dunno about you it makes me feel uncomfortable

Can't say I've looked. Certainly got it on the 4200 before I epically tracked down and sealed every leak. Darren / Wack will be able to vouch if it's still watertight.

I can't imagine that water in the 'lower well' (I assume you mean battery compartment) is a design choice, so it would make me uncomfortable as well......

C

 

[allandwf]

Took mine for a "tune up" today on the way to the paint shop. 3C wet roads and cold Pirellis ! Interesting drive lol.

 

[BennyD]

It's Italian 'character' so I wouldn't worry about it. Charge it up and thrash the bollox of it at regular intervals and she'll be right as rain.

 

[allandwf]

It's Italian 'character' so I wouldn't worry about it. Charge it up and thrash the bollox of it at regular intervals and she'll be right as rain.

Leave her in the garage, she'll hate you for it!

 

[murph7355]

Water in the boot doesn't sound right.

Is the car stored in a garage and is it dehumidified?

I reckon the warnings are battery related.

 

[montravia]

Water in the boot doesn't sound right.

Is the car stored in a garage and is it dehumidified?

I reckon the warnings are battery related.

Nope, not yet until we move soom where she'll have a decent sized garage.

The strange thing is that tge boot floor is dry yet when the spare cover is lifted and the battery compartment cover is lifted, there's condensation around the top of the battery and water in the well. Close inspection tomorrow

 

[allandwf]

Could be condensation?

 

[Contigo]

Use it more... simples

 

[Swedish Paul]

Is the battery warm when in charge? And isn't there a tube connected to the battery to vent the poisons. Has it detached?

 

[conaero]

Water in the boot gets in via the rear light apparently they are not sealed just screwed in the hole with no gaskets.

 

[voicey]

Water in the boot is really common. I had one GT that no matter how much I sealed it up, it always came back with water at the bottom (car was kept outside). I couldn't figure out where the water was coming from - the carpet was dry, I sealed the lights, new well seal, new seals on the handbrake cables, etc, etc. I even put the apprentice in the boot with a torch and drenched the back of the car with a hose! In the end I drilled two small drain holes in the well as the water kept damaging the handbrake.

 

[montravia]

Thanks Voicey. I'm just inspecting now while the CTEC is conditioning the battery.

As you say everything is dry apart from the well, which is a few inches deep, taking me ages to wick the water into absorbant leathers.

As you completely none plussed as to where the ingress is.

Not at all comfortable with so much water in proximity to all that wiring

 

[voicey]

Thanks Voicey. I'm just inspecting now while the CTEC is conditioning the battery.

As you say everything is dry apart from the well, which is a few inches deep, taking me ages to wick the water into absorbant leathers.

As you completely none plussed as to where the ingress is.

Not at all comfortable with so much water in proximity to all that wiring

How does the handbrake motor look? If it's been sitting in water for a while then I would brace yourself for handbrake issues down the line.

The condensation can also bugger up the relays - at the very least pull the one circled in red...

 

[montravia]

Don't think that the motor has been sitting in water, but certainly would have been sloshed when giving her tail a thrashing. Pulled the relay, connectors look OK rather than corrosion.


One of the errors in the the opening post did indicate park brake, but not entirely certain. Went away, so assumed battery condition problem.

Might get a hairdryer on it.

Thanks for your help, more than useful

 

[voicey]

Ideally you'd want to leave the boot open for a few days to dry everything out but I suspect this isn't an option. Get something like these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/set-of-2-...616513?hash=item4b1299ccc1:g:HAYAAOSwx6pYsX7c and leave them in there.

If the moisture has got into the cloth tape around the wiring loom it will take ages to dry out.