Advice Needed By New Member

[Wagomatic]

Hello from a new member in the Basingstoke area,

 

Have spent time looking in the Technical area at the FAQ's in case anyone had already mentioned anything similar to my current problem. Can't find anything and so hope I am not wasting your time.

 

R reg 2.3Ghia

 

At the moment this problem occurs most days, but usually only once. Sometimes after a short journey (3 miles), sometimes after a much longer one (>30miles). Sometimes it is after the first journey of the day, sometimes not. In other words, I can spot no pattern whatsoever.

 

The problem is this; when I stop the car and turn off the ignition, the engine continues to run perfectly normally. If I open the driver door the engine stops. If I then close the driver door usually all the dashboard lights come on but the engine will not start, as if the imobiliser is in operation. If I then lock the car from the outside usually everything returns to normal, until the next time. Sometimes, however, when I lock the door the dashboard lights come on as if I have inserted the ignition key and I have to open & close the door and try locking it again.

 

Presumably ignition switch or control module?

 

Sorry this is so long but I wanted to give as much info as possible.

 

Any help very welcome,

Thanks, Wagomatic

[mumof4]

Im no experst..but id say crossed wires somewhere...opening the door and the engine turns off?..very odd.

 

Welcome to the mad house.

[Neils TDi again]

It is probably the standard broken wire syndrome in the door as teh imobiliser has an indicator built into the door capping.

 

Probably there is a bad earth on the ECU and the broken wire cause a short to earth which will "turn off" the engine but may have further effects on the immobiliser.

 

Check the FAQs for door wiring and have a gander.

 

O h and BTW welcome.

[Wagomatic]

Thanks both for your interest and comments.

 

Neil - I will follow your suggestion and check the door wiring.

 

Wagpmatic

[gregers]

er have you checked to see whether you have(had) a swimming pool under your passenger seat?

 

and welcome from me also.

[Wagomatic]

Gregers,

 

No, I haven't checked specifically but have not seen or smelt any signs.

What is the significance of water under the passenger seat?

 

Will go and check now.

Thanks.

[gregers]

BIG PROBS

[turk90210]

well its a

welcome from me

sorry dont envy you too much but from what you are describing you have a major short circuit to your ignition side and a swimming pool does spring to mind for me as well especially if it has been raining heavily in your area

otherwise if all dry check out the loom where it passes through the body to the drivers door as this seems to have some bearing on the matter

 

 

""The problem is this; when I stop the car and turn off the ignition, the engine continues to run perfectly normally. If I open the driver door the engine stops. If I then close the driver door usually all the dashboard lights come on but the engine will not start, as if the imobiliser is in operation. If I then lock the car from the outside usually everything returns to normal, until the next time. Sometimes, however, when I lock the door the dashboard lights come on as if I have inserted the ignition key and I have to open & close the door and try locking it again""

 

try and think logically about what has an effect on what is happening and check out accordingly

 

sorry cant be of any more help but modern cars and wiring faults are/can be a pain to diagnose as alot of systems are be interlinked and sometimes send you off in the wrong direction,I recently had a vw transporter which had fuses blowing on the reverse lights,engine management light flashing and no elec mirrors fault was traced too the wiring to the drivers door shorting out. 3 seperate circuits but all linked via the fuse which was not in the handbook or fusebox lid description

[big_kev]

I would be suspicious of the Ignition Relay ( 130 or 103 cant remember which but is bottom right )

 

This relay controls the fuel cut-off valve.....which obviously is locking on and also controls the main ECU.

[Wagomatic]

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice.

 

It is bone dry under the passenger seat.

So I am concentrating on the driver door wiring as this now seems the main suspect.

 

Will also check the relays as suggested.

[seatkid]

Door open - engine stops - obviously door wiring loom problem (in the rubber boot to the door)

 

The wires suffer from (unseen) open circuits as well as the more obvious insulation fatigue leading to shorts.

 

The doorlock and flashing led are linked to the unit controlling the immobiliser.

[Wagomatic]

:wacko: After considered external manipulation of the wiring loom, and the car receiving a stern talking to from .ere indoors (although she was actually outside at the time), the problem has gone away.

 

I realise that this is temporary remission and that I do need carry out a permanent fix.

 

Thanks to all for your help and advice.