53 Plate electrics nightmare!

Evening,

I have a 2003 C3, (1.4 16v Petrol) first issue is O/S headlight (dipped beam) failed, replaced the bulb (eventually!!!! ) wasn't the bulb, changed the fuse, wasn't the fuse? Any ideas what to look at and check next?

Driving today, temp gauge hit the top, followed by warning beep, stopped checked coolant level, OK, got back in started up again, and temp back down to three bars, shortly followed by max bars and warning beep, back down, back up, back down again, before it chose to fail to illuminate for a few miles, came back on missing a bar (5th one?) so there was a gap between number 4 and 6.....??

Climate control panel, works when it wants to, suspecting a lose connection? give the console a light tap and it illuminates and turns on, before turning itself off along with the illumination? Very erratic, leave it off for a while, press AUTO and on it comes sometimes lasts the journey, sometimes it'll last until the next mile marker, or it turns off when I glance at it?

I welcome any suggestions please! Also, what is the best code reader to buy, on a budget but will stop me buying bulbs and fuses that aren't required!

TIA, Boo.

Hello Boo

BazookaBoo wrote:first issue is O/S headlight (dipped beam) failed, replaced the bulb (eventually!!!! ) wasn't the bulb, changed the fuse, wasn't the fuse? Any ideas what to look at and check next?

Check you have fitted the lamp electrical connection correctly and check the fuse with a cheap multimeter or test circuit.

BazookaBoo wrote:Driving today, temp gauge hit the top, followed by warning beep, stopped checked coolant level, OK, got back in started up again, and temp back down to three bars, shortly followed by max bars and warning beep, back down, back up, back down again, before it chose to fail to illuminate for a few miles,

Common problem with petrol engines and the temperature gauge sensor. Try another sensor and then check the wiring. Obviously check the coolant is between mini and maxi only when the engine is cold.

BazookaBoo wrote:Climate control panel, works when it wants to, suspecting a lose connection? give the console a light tap and it illuminates and turns on, before turning itself off along with the illumination? Very erratic, leave it off for a while, press AUTO and on it comes sometimes lasts the journey, sometimes it'll last until the next mile marker, or it turns off when I glance at it?

Climate or air-con? The manual panels go faulty and melt, the Climate panels don't usually give problems



Climate Control

BazookaBoo wrote:Also, what is the best code reader to buy,

Lexia, look at lexia here

Excellent thank you Arfur.....

Headlight bulb....I disconnected the old bulb, and connected a new one, but didn't re-install it into the headlamp unit so I could turn the connector round, but had no joy whichever way round the bulb/connector was???

I'll get another temp sender unit.

And it is defo a Climate control unit like the one you showed, I'm going to take the stereo out, and check the connections behind the CC unit, but if I get no joy, it'll be in the garage to have it looked at.....driving round in this weather with misted up windows is NO fun!!

Thank you for the Lexia Link, will have a look and order one, cheers.....will let you know how it goes and how it's rectified!

BazookaBoo wrote:Headlight bulb....I disconnected the old bulb, and connected a new one, but didn't re-install it into the headlamp unit so I could turn the connector round, but had no joy whichever way round the bulb/connector was???

It shouldn't make any difference, but I put the new lamp in, fiddle the sprung clamps then fit the electrical connector.

BazookaBoo wrote:will let you know how it goes and how it's rectified!

No problem, thanks

Well today was the first day I could have a proper look at things, without getting soaking wet!

Removed the stereo and tray underneath it, ensured the connections on the back of the CC panel were firmly pushed home, whilst it does come on with the ignition now, it's still temperamental, shutting down then coming back to life when it wants?!?!? For the moment, it'll have to do.

The O/S headlight, I have no idea!! It worked fine with the new bulb, then turned itself off................then back on again, and now it's off....

The temp gauge has behaved impeccably, but the rear fog lights don't want to play This car really does have character......


Turns out it is I who has forgotten how the rear lights operate, such a spaz! forgot it is two forward turns to switch rears fogs on!

OK plugged in the code reader and it came up with P1161 and P1153.....

Still trying to decipher what they actually are?

BazookaBoo wrote:P1161

code P1161

BazookaBoo wrote:P1153

Engine control module - adaptation to throttle valve not complete

They seem to be connected, check that (or better still remove and re-terminate) connector in the P1161 topic above.

C3driver52 wrote:

BazookaBoo wrote:P1161

code P1161

BazookaBoo wrote:P1153

Engine control module - adaptation to throttle valve not complete

They seem to be connected, check that (or better still remove and re-terminate) connector in the P1161 topic above.

Spot on thank you!

I had taken the air box off to change the filter, seems the plastic on the air box was damaged, and a piece of it had fallen into the throttle body, which in turn gave it an air leak.

Bodged it with cardboard and black duck tape to seal it, replacing the top of the air box today after yet another visit to the srappies!

Thank you for your sterling help and advice.

BazookaBoo wrote:Spot on thank you!

I had taken the air box off to change the filter, seems the plastic on the air box was damaged, and a piece of it had fallen into the throttle body, which in turn gave it an air leak.

Bodged it with cardboard and black duck tape to seal it, replacing the top of the air box today after yet another visit to the srappies!

Thank you for your sterling help and advice.

Good work, thanks for the update