SOLVED: Warning lights - please help!

[David]

Hi All,

I’m hoping someone has experienced this before and can offer some advice.

I’ve just reassembled the car after having the manifold out, replacing the secondary DISA, CVV and stripping/cleaning the starter motor. The repair was spread over period of 2 weeks, so battery was disconnected for a while.

I went to start the car after reassembly and it began revving on its own, and the accelerator pedal was non-responsive - I went and checked and of course I’d forgot to reconnect the throttle body connector!

Went to start the engine again and on top of the car turning over a long time before firing up, I had these three lights show up:

- Power steering (EPS), ABS, Traction and tyre warning.
Did some research and it was suggested that a weak battery can cause these to fail, so plugged in my CTEK battery reconditioned overnight. Tried again this morning and I still have the same problem.

What I’m puzzled about is that I wasn’t working anywhere near the areas that are throwing out warnings.

Does anyone know what has happened? Have I tripped something from not reconnecting the throttle body or leaving the battery disconnected for too long?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
David

 

[David]

About to scan for codes using INPA

 

[raymond]

Is the power steering working ? Could be a faulty sensor. Try when engine off to turn wheel to left then right to reset. If car has been outside not moving damp could have got into sensor. Try resetting by battery disconnection and perhaps run the car for a while on the road. Code reader would be an idea to see what codes are there

 

[David]

@raymond thanks for responding

The power steering is not working. Presumably you mean ignition on, engine off? Otherwise steering wheel lock will activate.

Car has been garaged the whole time, so shouldn’t be suffering from damp.

Battery was disconnected and removed overnight, so that should have reset.

 

[EssexZed]

Did you find any error codes when scanning? Try resetting them and see which ones come back.

 

[David]

Did you find any error codes when scanning? Try resetting them and see which ones come back.

Bloody computer only decided to update! It’s taking an age!

 

[David]

OK - not too sure if I've done this correctly, as INPA is new to me, but here is what it showed after clearing lots of old codes:


Help greatly appreciated!!

 

[raymond]

So is the power steering not working with the engine running ?

 

[raymond]

The yaw sensor under the seat can take out the EPS ABS DSC

 

[t-tony]

Could well be you need to just drive it David.

Tony.

 

[David]

So is the power steering not working with the engine running ?

Correct!

 

[t-tony]

Definitely low battery voltage. Have you possibly left a cable off the starter solenoid David?

Tony.

 

[David]

Could well be you need to just drive it David.

Tony.

Hoping to take it out tomorrow and see if that clears it up.

Whilst browsing the error codes I found this one from the EPS system:

“Rotation-speed of vehicle-motor” causing the issues makes me think that the engine isn’t starting quick enough, so the EPS, traction etc can’t start when they want to, then throw the error codes.

Thoughts? I’m thinking that perhaps I’ve greased parts of the starter motor that I wasn’t supposed to, and therefore there’s a poor electrical connection, causing the engine to take a long time to fire up, this causing all the other errors.

 

[raymond]

Take it on the road. I have run a Z4 without power steering. Once it get moving it is not too bad but do not go fast into roundabouts. Turn steering from lock to lock and see if it resets. If not switch off and leave it on full lock. Restart on full lock and see if it come backs.

 

[David]

Definitely low battery voltage. Have you possibly left a cable off the starter solenoid David?

Tony.

There’s only one cable, and that was secured.

 

[t-tony]

Looking like duff battery, being left for a couple of weeks could have killed it mate. Have you got a proper battery charger rather than a "conditioner'?
I had these lights last time I got home from Fla. and found car with a flat battery now I think about it, and I started it with my charger/starter ( I did wonder if that was what upset my roof module too.)

Tony.

 

[David]

Looking like duff battery, being left for a couple of weeks could have killed it mate. Have you got a proper battery charger rather than a "conditioner'?
I had these lights last time I got home from Fla. and found car with a flat battery now I think about it, and I started it with my charger/starter ( I did wonder if that was what upset my roof module too.)

Tony.

I thought CTEK was the ‘one to have’?

 

[t-tony]

There’s only one cable, and that was secured.

There are usually 2, a thick battery cable and a thinner "exciter" wire which operates the solenoid. But if either of those were missing the starter motor would not operate at all and it does start?

Tony.

ps. Have you got a bolt meter to check battery voltage?
Also worth trying is connect a jump lead between battery negative and somewhere on the engine block to rule out bad earth.

 

[t-tony]

I thought CTEK was the ‘one to have’?

I was under the impression it is a battery conditioner not an out and out charger for a flat battery mate. I could be wrong. How long has it been connected?

Tony.

 

[Lee]

Personally I would start ruling out the simple things first. Get the battery tested check fuses etc and get a reader on it you understand.