Help! Van gone mad (1 Viewer)

Tribbtravs

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Oct 13, 2017
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hi guys
Can u please help, my van has started this afternoon locking and unlocking the cab doors. When my OH turned engine on the windscreen wash, wipers,indicators and headlights all came on at same time and we couldn't turn them off. We have now disconnected the vehicle battery and plan to reconnect in morning. Vehicle battery is showing 12.66v with a multi meter. Anyone any ideas as how to rectify. TIA
This is a fiat Ducato 2.2 2010 vehicle, helen
 

TheBig1

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Nov 27, 2011
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we had that with a previous van, it was water in the fusebox under the bonnet, nearside wing. could also be an earth fault on the ecu, but my money is on water in the electrics

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pappajohn

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Aug 26, 2007
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A family of mice under the bonnet/dash.......they just lurve the sheathing on copper wires.

1/2 dozen chewed wires in the same bit of loom, turn on power to the wiring and loads of live to live shorts turning things on and off that shouldn't be turned on and off.
 
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Tribbtravs

Tribbtravs

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Thanks both.
Don't think it's mice as van is moved weekly but will check anyway. OH was thinking about water and will check fuse box in the morning.
Helen
 
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Tribbtravs

Tribbtravs

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Oct 13, 2017
108
379
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we had that with a previous van, it was water in the fusebox under the bonnet, nearside wing. could also be an earth fault on the ecu, but my money is on water in the electrics
Where is the ecu by the way?

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PP Bear

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Apr 5, 2013
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Have you pressure washed it in any way, or had it done locally?

I'm going for damp as first thought. Good luck
 
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Tribbtravs

Tribbtravs

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it is. Will give an update tomorrow once more investigation undertaken.

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Dec 12, 2010
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If you're gonna pull all the fuses to dry the fuse box, take a picture of them in position first to aid replacing them and maybe try clipping a jump lead between the battery negative terminal and a piece of bright metal on the engine or gearbox to eliminate a potential earth fault.

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Tribbtravs

Tribbtravs

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Hi guys here's an update.
OH has taken the fuses out of fuse box to dry out, although it did seem quite dry and fuses now back in again.
Sprayed with WD40 water repellent around by fuse box area also.
Disconnected solar panel and also disconnected battery master and leisure batteries as wanted to completely isolate everything. Reconnected van battery and lights, washers, indicators all working as normal. But noticed central locking was still acting on its own. Ran the van for 15 minutes and central locking seemed ok. If it's started acting up will check van battery again. Also found one of the leisure batteries was down at 10v the other is fine. Have not reconnected battery master as would like to keep things separate for the next few weeks as this will determine if van battery has had it.
Thanks for all your help, suggestions and advice.
Was unable to locate earth strap which should connect to gear box, is mine invisible ? Also if central locking starts acting up again will try to figure out how to lock doors with the central locking fuse removed. Off to nec Thursday/Friday so looks like a leisure battery is now on the "to buy/get" list.
 

pappajohn

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Looks like you need a new battery especially as the second one is good, presumably at least 12.6v...
10v is dead...totally.....and will have no storage capacity even if it will charge.
 

SuperMike

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Apr 28, 2010
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^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ What Uncle PPJ says ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Better still change both batteries to a matching pair.

:gum::gum::gum::gum::gum::gum::gum::gum::gum:

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Oct 7, 2013
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Hope you resolve the issue but don’t dismiss mice just because it is parked on your drive.

We had two Zafiras wiring looms attacked by the little bustards on our drive. They never touched any other vehicles.

Vauxhall must make extremely tasty wiring looms.
 
Aug 18, 2014
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Hope you resolve the issue but don’t dismiss mice just because it is parked on your drive.

We had two Zafiras wiring looms attacked by the little bustards on our drive. They never touched any other vehicles.

Vauxhall must make extremely tasty wiring looms.

Yes had it here.

We get it here , especially when it is exceptionally cold:cold: & you return & park up a nice warm engine. :sun:
Up pops Roland from the woodpile /fig tree/or neighbours & thinks " that'll be better for tonight" (y)
Every time now when the vehicles return , bonnet is pulled & traps put on the engine & other places they'd like to sit & eat.

I also use ultra sonic detectors not only in the van but an outside area adjacent to the house & every room in the apartment.
 
Feb 8, 2014
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If you're gonna pull all the fuses to dry the fuse box, take a picture of them in position first to aid replacing them and maybe try clipping a jump lead between the battery negative terminal and a piece of bright metal on the engine or gearbox to eliminate a potential earth fault.
my thoughts exactly, also be gentle getting the cover free - I broke mine when tugging it clear of surrounding bits.

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Mike Kiff

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Feb 20, 2016
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Since 1995
Hello from Devon,
Had a similar problem on a 2.3 150bhp.2016.
Near side (left hand side)
Under front wing you will see several wires all joining together,
It’s a earth connection, make sure they are secure.

Mike
 
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Tribbtravs

Tribbtravs

Banned
Oct 13, 2017
108
379
Funster No
50,948
Hi guys
The MADness has returned ☹️
OH just went to let dog out and heard central locking start again. Decided to start van up and windscreen washers, wipers, full beam on and indicators all going ballistic. We've decided take up to mates garage tomorrow to see if he can sort.
Will update tomorrow pm
 
Apr 11, 2015
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Laika Ecovip 300
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Do hope it's not mice.

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Jan 31, 2009
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456
Shropshire
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5,511
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Van Conversion
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10 years +
Mice like nice warm places to shelter in cold weather. I had one in my car once, parked on the drive and used all day every day. It ate all my spearmint Polo mints, that's how I realised I had company. Don't know whether it travelled round all day with me next day or jumped out and then back in again when I got home, but that night it took the Mars Bar bait and I had it caught. Let it free in next door's garden and never saw it again.
 

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