Ford Scorpio Forum - Print Page


    
      
        Ford Scorpio Forum
        (https://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl)
      

        General >> Problems >> Can you help me to mend my scorpio?
        
(Message started by: Rod on Feb 13^th, 2007, 2:58pm)

Title: Can you help me to mend my scorpio?
Post by Rod on Feb 13^th, 2007, 2:58pm

Hi

I have a 2.9 12V Scorpio. Unfortunately, I know very little about mechanics and auto elecy things – so bear with me please. :-[

The other night, about 11pm, my alarm went off –the first time ever - and kept going off after I unlocked/relocked the car. So I disconnected the battery as I was rapidly becoming unpopular with the neighbours. ;)

Here’s what happened this morning when I went out to sort the problem – I have included everything in case it is relevant

Removed and charged battery (yesterday).

Checked Auxiliary fuse box for water – dried out small amount of water from bottom tray – checked drain hole under oval plastic cover – clear – removed top of fuse box and gave everything a good blast of WD40

Removed top of main fuse box. It was dry – gave it a squirt of WD40

Replaced and connected battery – did it again to include the small black wire on the negative this time. :-[

Put key in ignition – turned it – and the engine started first time. 8) 8) 8)

Spent a couple of minutes unsuccessfully trying to change the mode back to imperial – using the method of randomly pressing all three mode buttons – even all at the same time. ::)

Switched off the engine and jumped out - all excited like. }{ Tried the central locking on the key fob – nothing.

Bonnet still open – checked for the bonnet immobiliser switch – found an unconnected connector which I think was the bonnet immobiliser which was left unconnected when a previous owner swapped the original grill for a face lift grill – cleaned the connector and gave it WD40 – I will tape that up later.

Just as I was cleaning the connector, one of the fans started up :o :o – the fan on the nearside which I assume is the a/c fan.

Got back in to restart the engine – and before I put the key in – I noticed that dash was active - the mileage and Km’s to go screens were active and the battery warning light was on - and the doors open panel was active - all with no key in the ignition. The internal lights and the door puddle lights were working.

Put the key in the ignition to see if the engine would start again – not a peep. >:(

Got out, disconnected the negative post on the battery came indoors and wrote this.

OK – what do you experts make of all that – and how can I get the d**n thing going.

Rod

Title: Re: Can you help me to mend my scorpio?
Post by Simmo on Feb 13^th, 2007, 3:07pm

First of all check the battery connections. There is a small black lead on some cars which can get missed when re-connecting but you appear to have discovered that!!. Secondly if you have had the top off the main (Drivers side) fusebox make sure it is back on correctly. Look at the cover, There are two lugs which MUST be located in their fittings BEFORE you push the connector down. It will go down wrongly quite easily. As someone said here today,'If it goes down easily first time it aint right'!!. Let us know how you get on. :) As for the trip computer the details to re-set are HERE (http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/images/handbook020.gif)

Title: Re: Can you help me to mend my scorpio?
Post by Rod on Feb 13^th, 2007, 3:27pm

Thanks Simmo

As the saying goes - it takes an OAP to recognise one ;)

The problems arose before I started checking the fuse boxes. I was just trying to discover where the water - if indeed that is the cause of the problems - was getting in.

The fuse box covers are correctly seated - Oh - and before anyone asks - YES - the is a battery cover fitted.

Rod

Title: Re: Can you help me to mend my scorpio?
Post by Simmo on Feb 13^th, 2007, 3:50pm

Rod, If you suspect water as the problem have you looked up inside the glove box?. Remove the flap in the roof of the glove compartment and see if there is any signs of water ingress in that area. Behind the auxillary fuse box there is a large wiring loom which passes through the bulkhead via a large rubber sleeve. If this becomes misplaced or split it will allow water to run through into the car and more particularly on to the central control module. The glove compartment will drop right down if you spring off the two clips at the top edges of the open door. ;)

Title: Re: Can you help me to mend my scorpio?
Post by Snoopy on Feb 14^th, 2007, 8:22am

OK If the dash is lit up and you have checked the fuse boxes, PLEASE check the ash tray light is not shorting out . If it is it can cause the whole of the electrics of the car to be LIVE even though the ignition is OFF .
This has happened to several members so worth checking.

Also make sure ALL the drain holes are clear .

After refitting the battery you did put ALL the wires back onto the battery, didn't you ? It has been known for the thin black one to drop down in front of the battery and be left off. casusing NO power to certain items .
IMHO ALL worth checking!

Title: Re: Can you help me to mend my scorpio?
Post by GeraldineGreene on Feb 15^th, 2007, 9:00pm

Hello,

Aside from the permanent live electrics, our Geraldine's alarm kept triggering because of a fractured wire in the loom that runs up the r/h boot hinge but the clue to this was a permanent 'boot open' warning light on the dash.
Just another thought!

Good luck! ;)
Paul & Ania

Title: Re: Can you help me to mend my scorpio?
Post by John_Sawyer on Feb 19^th, 2007, 3:28pm

HELP......
I am having exactly the same problem.....

Dash warning lights on, won't start, fan running by itself etc etc.

Iam also getting water in the inside, I have cleaned out the air con tubes so, assume it is getting in through that wiring loom running from the fuse box someone mentioned. I think there is another one under the battery, could it be coming in through that?
Could the central module unit (is that the silver box thing behind the glove compartment) be the cause and now need changing?
I disconnected the thing and the lights were still on...agghhhhh

Guess you can assume I am a very amatuer mechanic !!

The main fusebox has been changed and I have done everything I have read on the forum regarding this problem but, I am at my wits end now and just out of ideas........

Can anyone give me some desperately needed advice.

Someone mentioned about the ashtry light........any idea how I can disconnect it and see if that is the problem,

I am getting very tempted to lose it in the local river........It can have all the water it wants then...... >:( >:(

John

Title: Re: Can you help me to mend my scorpio?
Post by tintin on Feb 19^th, 2007, 3:44pm

Hi,

If there is a lot of water under the glove box, then your ecu is probably wet. this happened to mine recently.
my water was coming from holes under the battery tray, combined with a badly fitted battery tray after jump starting.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l230/tintin74/DSC00114.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l230/tintin74/DSC00116.jpg

dried it out, replaced ecu (actually easier than it sounds) with a s/h one, and it started instantly.

check the PATS light, if it is flashing rapidly, then it has "Disabled" the car as no signal from the ecu (or something like that....).

Hope this helps,