Intermittent electrical problems

[The_Laird]

You may recall around this time last year I had the throttle position sensor replaced to fix an intermittent fault that resulted in the EPC and ABS lights coming on and the cat then driving with much reduced power.

I had a feeling at the time the the problem was linked to heavy rain, but after almost a year without any further trouble, I'd decided that was an unfounded suspicion.

Until a couple of weeks ago when, in very heavy and prolonged rain, it happened again.

Some fairly prolonged investigation revealed that the seal in the 'e box' was perished and, as the attached photos show, water was getting in. If you zoom in on the third photo, you can see water resting in the bottom of connector block 6 and the fourth photo shows some corrosion.

My belief now is that, in very heavy and prolonged rain, the water overwhelms the scuttle drains and, with a perished seal, can get into the 'e box'. And my guess is, if mine's perished, so is yours!

Unfortunately, Audi say that the cover and seal are on indefinite back order and the replacement I got from A8 Parts was worse than mine. So, time for the silicone sealant! I should get the car back today hopefully, and there's plenty of rain to test it!

Whilst the guys were investigating, I also got them to fix 'Botangs hole', so that'll be one less problem waiting!