Chimaera instrument gauges not working - water floods?

[l10tus]

Just returned home after an horrendous journey through flooded road areas, I was forced to slowly drive through standing water, which was a large pool but not too deep, the engine didn't cut out, but steam came through the bonnet vents and then I noticed all the dash mounted instruments stopped working, together with the ignition light not illuminating. I stopped the car and restarted the engine, the ignition light didn't illuminate, but the engine started ok nevertheless. All the panel illumination lights continued to work ok, but I suspect water being splashed into the engine bay or wiring causing the problem.

I haven't checked any fuses yet as it's still pouring down outside, but does anyone have any suggestions where the trouble may lie?

Just to confirm, engine continued to run ok and restarted normally, but without the ignition light illumination.

Driving lights - both side and main work all ok.

Interior cabin light working ok.

Indicators working ok.

But, all gauges, rev counter, Speedo and demister fan not operational.

Any ideas please?

Edited by l10tus on Sunday 14th September 18:27

[Belle427]

Check fuse no 16 first, cant see a logical reason why it happened though, possibly water into the oil pressure switch connector which is low down.

Edited by Belle427 on Sunday 14th September 20:18

[l10tus]

Many thanks, I'll report back tomorrow - all being well!

[blaze_away]

Check also the 100 amp fuse on bottom chassis rail. It's between alternator and starter connection to battery.

Don't know if it would create those symptoms but it would get a dunking in deep water

[pmc_3]

The interior fan and the gauges are on the same fuse, so check that first.

[l10tus]

Thanks for the replies, stopped raining enough to start checking things out.....

When I checked fuse 14 it was blown. I replaced it with a 15amp blue fuse and switched the fan blower motor switch off, then the dashboard gauges all worked.

I replaced the fuse, switched on the fan blower and crack, the fuse blew again!

So, I then set about removing the fan and it's mounting panel from the passenger footwell.

It took about 45 mins. I busted off the rivetted panel and dug out the masses of silicon sealant around the edge joints.

The fan motor was seized.

It didn't take much to free it off by working the fan blades with my fingers. The bearings look to be phospher bronze or sintered metal bush type.

I then added a little oil to the 3 bearing points on the motor / fan.

Not sure oil is a terribly good idea though, as it will tend to attract dirt and may be detrimental to the longevity running, but for now seems a reasonable step to take.

To re- install the unit and fibreglass panel, I intend to use self tapers and duct tape, it's a good tight fit to the inner wheel arch and is protected by a labyrinth on the fresh air route, so having found no debris or water in the immediate area, think silver duct tape will be more than sufficient to stop draughts, etc. ( and make for easier re-entry should the need arise in the future )!

Hopefully got away with that one, must just have been a coincidence that it happened just as I got standing water, methinks?

Tested the fan on all three speeds, all good for now

Edited by l10tus on Wednesday 17th September 18:46

Edited by l10tus on Wednesday 17th September 18:47

Edited by l10tus on Wednesday 17th September 18:48

[Belle427]

Should be ok with some oil.
Maybe a stick on foam type draught excluder seal is an option for it.

[v8sag]

45 minutes to remove the blower motor housing, that sounds like a record, either your car was built on a Friday afternoon or amidst a silicone manufacturing strike.

[l10tus]

I didn't remove the passengers seat, also I used a paint striper type scraper to lever the riveted panel off ( without drilling the heads off) - the rivets just pulled through the fixed panel and all came away with the removable fibreglass mounting panel. Slightly aggressively agreed, but no damage done to the rivet hole areas.

I'm used to working on fibre glass bodies cars, so I know how far I can go with rough stripdown and removal actions.

The white silicone was pretty dense on the top section around the pipes and hose worm clips, which was the worst area to contend with.

I think comparing it to the same as doing a brake master cylinder and servo job, is a bit rich!

Now, what's next!???!!!

[PabloGee]

Well done mate!
My fan squeaks occasionally and slightly on the first setting, so I’m biding my time for this job. Hoping for it to be a replica of yours!

[l10tus]

Here's the repaired fan running before re-install