Testing the water
 

Looking to sell my D3 A8 as a project as it ain't well and got to ****ed off with it:mad:

As you know, was off work for 7 weeks due to a ruptured tendon and couldn't drive. Left the car for about 4 weeks and then wouldn't start.
Charged the battery and OK.
Didn't try it for around 4 days and guess what, battery dead again.
So bought a new battery. Connected up and car started OK.

Again, didn't use it for a good few days and flat again :(

Well, since then a few things have now failed.
Keyless entry and start
Climate control (no blower)
Light for the air ride comes on after 10 minutes or so
When cold, squelching noise from the front (suspect top control arms)

Other than that a nice car.

Today, after not using for 2 days, wouldn't start - battery showing 11.5V which should be enough but ODBII showing 10.4...........
Removed battery to put the other fully charged battery in and noticed water underneath :mad:
Bailed it out but wondering if this could be the cause of some issues (anyone know what the 2 modules are under the battery?).

So what's it worth as it is (most of you know the spec - I think)

"When cold, squelching noise from the front (suspect top control arms)"

That's the one! I have a rattle also from the front so replacing all the top suspensions arms anyway.

I was trying to work out and diagnose that "Squelch" for ages!!

Not sure what the modules are, but if there's water there, then that would likely cause stuff to short out, draining the battery.

Cheers - that was my thought too.....

Any idea what I should be asking for her (I know I am going to lose a lot of money but feed up with the old girl :()

I know youve fallen out of love with her Andy but I'm sure you can get to the bottom of these issues and get them fixed -

Blocked drains somewhere causing the electrical issues, sort then dry everything out and replace any relays that have gone etc.

A lot of the other electrical gremlins will be being caused by the battery management module issue, which may need the module replacing plus software updating.

If those 2 issues were resolved im sure it could be turned around and despite what I said it IS a nice car! +++

I was going to make some comment along the lines of not dumping someone you love just because they wouldn't get going a few times when you wanted ..... but I thought better of it! ;)

Appreciate you're down with the car Andy... I was like that when my PF D3 had all the issues, but if you can find the source of the water, that'll probably fix all the other issues, though maybe one or two modules may need replaced and you should be back to trouble free motoring.

Probably right, but these issues have been going on for several months now (went to replace the climate control module and the current one is coded to the car and Audio refused to take the component protection off so scuppered that quick and cheapish fix).

I think I know how the water may have got in - a few pics:

Picture of the rear window with the boot open and the plastic insert - notice on this shot that the edges do not meet:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...psnmqrsom7.jpg


In the next 2 shots, on the off-side, they are curled up and don't go under the rear window:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...psltdt7nte.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...pshxtlgxlh.jpg

These are the 2 modules that were splashing about in water (not checked the other side of the boot as yet):
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...psuktbyyko.jpg

Cheers

one of my rear window trim looks exactly the same Andy, but those plastic trims are just decorative and nothing to do with keeping water out, they are simply there to improve appearance. If you have etka you'll see that under those trims is the bodywork just like on the D2. Mine also have the gap in the centre, but my boot is completely dry. I'd be checking where the boot lights are mounted to the boot to make sure they are sealed properly, and the same with the wing mounted lights. If your spare wheel well is dry, and it was just the drivers side that was wet under the battery my bet would be on the outer tail light not sealing properly.

Cheers - will check the seals (no access to ETKA)

The black module is the EPB controller, can't see the part number on the other one.

IIRC mine only has one ECU there, the EPB one. Perhaps the other boxes are related to the TPM module (assuming the car has TPM).

It does have TPM.

Hi Andy
I'm at office so can't see the pictures, but I will say what others said already.
DON'T do it yet, especially if you would be out of pocket by a lot of money. This is more likely related to that water leak, all your problems. In this cars one thing can affect other modules even if they are not really related, its just all complicated electronics.

Isn't there a battery management module as well??

Just strip that side out completely, get everything out and look for a leak, even run a hose and you may see water coming (with all the bits out already so you dont cause more damage)

Even if some modules are water damaged they will still be repairable without any cost to you. I've repaired over the years many electronics, all sort of ones damaged by water, and if you do it right chances are pretty big. Unless its burned out completely, but if only one or two components then its not a big issue.

Don't do it yet, you just haven't found the source yet but at least you've got indication where to look.

Doing my head in:mad:

Washed the car and before hand removed the battery so I could check for any leakages. Found condensation in the compartment - hope this picture shows it (on the cable):

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...ps20fcc40e.jpg

Nothing came in via the back lights etc
(Boot floor totally dry)

Picture of the area that was wet - as pointed out below the battery is an area with 2 modules (Windscreen Heater and Electronic Parking Brake) but to the right (rear in the pic) are holes and the bulk of the water is in this area:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...psbf7d2e4c.jpg

Anyway - after doing this - put the battery back and before hooking it I checked the voltage and it showed 12.5V
Got in the car and nothing - tried a few times and nowt!
CHecked the voltage and 8.5V:mad:

Put my other battery in and all good - just want rid now :-(

OK.
Now we need to find where the water comes from
Shame you didn't what I suggested earlier, leave the boot open, stick the hose on the roof so the water runs down the rear screen but no excessively so it dont go straight into boot of course, or something like that, and watch for any running water there where you found it today.

Is it possible guys that water gets somehow behind the rear screen and runs down straight into the boot but somewhere on the side panel side???

How about the boot seal, I assume you looked at this properly and if that would be the seal then you will find water inside the actual boot as well.

Condensation on the positive wire would indicate that water is getting through the top???

Now, you have two unit there, I assume there is no faults in the VCDS on those two units??
If they would be slightly water damaged they could drain the battery.

Above the batter where the (-) is there is I believe battery management module, if condensation gets as high as the positive wire then it would get there as well. If there is any water damage to it that could drain the battery. Well, any water damaged module could be responsible for battery drain.

Did you try to lift the rear seat and see if there is any sign of water or dampness???

How about the seal around the fuel cap, which is just about there, but from the inside??? This would kind make sense as its VERY close to where you found water today. This actually could be it.

I think it could be from the fuel filler - my car is LPG and that is where the extra filler is (pop riveted in) so I assume that water could be getting in through there??
I did run water over the rear window (gave the rear end of the car a very thorough dosing) and nothing.

The condensation on the wire - I think is caused by the water just getting warm and evaporating not so much the leak (if you no what I mean)

If I was to sell as is - what should I expect then?

Water should not come in through the fuel filler as that runs under the wheel arch..

I think its more likely your rear sun roof drains the pipe runs through the headlining all the way back to the rear arch but if the connection in the pipe brakes ie.. from using an air line ect to clear the drains then the water may just come through onto the rear headlining but also can run through to the boot in my case I caught it just in time really.

Cheers Guy.
Will have a look tomorrow and see if I can tell if it is that.
Where should the rear drains end ?

On a D3 they end half way up around the seat side of the wheel arch Andy

Cheer Niel.

Just being chaufered in the wife's D2 and ve4y nice it is

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...psqqkfvmd9.jpg

I've only been chauffeured in my D2 a few times but it's very enjoyable, usually in the front passenger seat though, you two fallen out? ;)

:p - Nah, just fancied a change :)

I hope you grasped the opportunity to look intelligent and give everyone you passed a wrist type wave? ;)

Nope - I'm to cool for that :D

Anywho - jacked the car up, opened the sunroof and poured some water into the sunroof channels and water can out of both the front and rear drains in good quantities so it looks like the pipes are good.

I'm jealous, I haven't been chaufered in my 8 yet, probably because no one is allowed to drive it, especially Mrs.

Any way
Looks like next thing to check is the fuel/lpg cap as its very close to where you found the water.

I'm sure you/we will get to the bottom of it so you can keep the car.
As soon source is found focus can go to electronic components coz they will drain battery if even slightly water damaged.

Did you checked the battery management module, how does it look, any signs of water/corrosion on it??

Cheers Marcin

Is a nice place to be in, the back of an A8 - do recommend giving it a go+++

Will look at the filler tomorrow!
And hope you are right (thanks again)

Hmmm. A sad read indeed. I wonder whats going on with it...... :Confused:

Defo need to find the source of the leak before attempting to fix anything. You suggest that water is coming in good quantities - which is good - it should make it easier to troubleshoot.

I had a nightmare with an A2 a while back, its sunroof drains had blocked and all the water had run down the headlining into the boot. Totally soaked the carpets and boot area, floor carpet, back seats. Took forever and them some to dry out the dam thing, but now, with clear drains and dried interior its good as new. For a long time I thought I hadn't fixed the leak, but it turned out to be the same water evaporating and condensing on the windows time and time again. A good few sunny days with the windows left down and the moisture escaped....

In terms of troubleshooting your car I can only state the obvious - water flows downhill, so if its in the battery compartment, it came from above, somewhere. Also, my driveway is flattish as you know, and I never had any such issues, I wonder if you regularly park it at some angle that triggers an issue I never saw ?

I also agree with others about the plastic window trims - They are purely cosmetic, the window is bonded beyond that.

The LPG filler is an obvious "aftermarket" addition, but the D3 flap seals quite well iirc, so I dont really see what would have changed to make it suddenly leak in.....

I hope you get it sorted.... :-(

Cheers Ian - not good is it :(

The drive is at an angle, but most of the time it is in the garage, but when it wasn't used for around 5 weeks it was on the drive..............

Roof lining and carpets are bone dry - the only area that is suspect is the LPG filler so I will look to put some silicon or something like that around the area.
When I wash the car and open the flap it is full of water!

Cheers