Random collection of simultaneous electrical gremlins
Discussion
This has happened 3 times now and high ambient temperatures seem to be the only common thread. First time was about 100F, the others only around 90F though, so although higher than the rain-soaked factory they were built in it’s not spectacularly hot.
So I’m driving along and I get a solid brake warning light along with ABS failure. “Stop immediately or die trying!”. Then all the gauges fail and drop to the resting position even though I’m driving along and everything is mechanically fine. Then the roof mechanism won’t budge. Then the passenger window switch stops working although I can still move the window from the driver’s door switch. Then the a/c fails. Then the power steering goes nuts – it weights up by 2x, although it clearly isn’t failing completely. This all within the space of 2-3 minutes...
Imagine how happy I am at this point considering its 90F outside and 155F inside. And I’m wearing a suit. And my Porsche-driving passenger is peeing his pants laughing at me.
When I switched off the engine the internal lighting – the switches, etc. that illuminate when you have the lights on (which I didn’t) - cycled on and off in about 10 second intervals. The pulsated, slowly. I’m thinking that might be a clue to the problem…?
I drove it nearer the beach where it’s 15F cooler and let it cool down for 15 minutes, and it was, and remains, fine again. So far.
Does this sound familiar to anyone? Is there likely to be a single $5000 fuse/relay/switch that can be replaced, or multiple $5000 fuses/relays/switches…?
So I’m driving along and I get a solid brake warning light along with ABS failure. “Stop immediately or die trying!”. Then all the gauges fail and drop to the resting position even though I’m driving along and everything is mechanically fine. Then the roof mechanism won’t budge. Then the passenger window switch stops working although I can still move the window from the driver’s door switch. Then the a/c fails. Then the power steering goes nuts – it weights up by 2x, although it clearly isn’t failing completely. This all within the space of 2-3 minutes...
Imagine how happy I am at this point considering its 90F outside and 155F inside. And I’m wearing a suit. And my Porsche-driving passenger is peeing his pants laughing at me.
When I switched off the engine the internal lighting – the switches, etc. that illuminate when you have the lights on (which I didn’t) - cycled on and off in about 10 second intervals. The pulsated, slowly. I’m thinking that might be a clue to the problem…?
I drove it nearer the beach where it’s 15F cooler and let it cool down for 15 minutes, and it was, and remains, fine again. So far.
Does this sound familiar to anyone? Is there likely to be a single $5000 fuse/relay/switch that can be replaced, or multiple $5000 fuses/relays/switches…?
this sounds like a network issue probably a module on the low speed can, heat is a relevant factor, a module may be failing when hot and basically shorting the network so comm signals are lost and everything on the network then either shuts down or responds to commands incorrectly, not an easy one to trace especially without amds and also being able to replicate the problem may be crucial, although some modules are more prone to issues than others, let me have your car details model, year and spec if you can replicate the problem and either you or someone you know is capable of automotive repairs I may be able to help you isolate the problem,
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