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Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: pscocoa on 19 December 2018, 16:33:04

Title: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: pscocoa on 19 December 2018, 16:33:04
My wife hit a large puddle in heavy rain last night. Drove home no problems but today all sots of warning lights and issues with alarm, power tailgate, airbag etc. Do we just wait for it to dry out?
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: zirk on 19 December 2018, 16:43:27
Yep, bit like the Vectra C's, more warning lights than a Christmas Tree, they should have shipped a free Code Resetter with every Car.  :D

Having a Air Bag Light on could be a pain though.  :-\
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: STEMO on 19 December 2018, 18:10:01
Wifey's astra is being a pain too. Every time the front wheels lose traction, the traction control light comes on, along with the EML. Takes five clean starts to clear the EML. Can't see why it should come on.
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: pscocoa on 19 December 2018, 18:25:27
This is going to be expensive I think. RAC came out - their computer would not link to car so he disconnected battery - next thing car is on reconnecting car is immobilised and will not start. So RAC guy books recovery vehicle for tomorrow  and after he has left calls back to say that his management has told him  this is classed as driver error and so recovery not covered under RAC warranty. Neither is a hire car. You live and learn. I have 3 cars with RAC but not for much longer. RAC reckons ECU is problem - it may dry out he says!
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: pscocoa on 19 December 2018, 18:27:40
Wifey's astra is being a pain too. Every time the front wheels lose traction, the traction control light comes on, along with the EML. Takes five clean starts to clear the EML. Can't see why it should come on.

My little Astra has been brilliant - Auto and Petrol 1.6. Really please with it. Had it 4 years now.
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: zirk on 19 December 2018, 18:43:09
This is going to be expensive I think. RAC came out - their computer would not link to car so he disconnected battery - next thing car is on reconnecting car is immobilised and will not start. So RAC guy books recovery vehicle for tomorrow  and after he has left calls back to say that his management has told him  this is classed as driver error and so recovery not covered under RAC warranty. Neither is a hire car. You live and learn. I have 3 cars with RAC but not for much longer. RAC reckons ECU is problem - it may dry out he says!
Personally I wouldn't let the RAC take the Car away, you might as well potentially give them your Cheque Book and get the Vaseline Jar out.

Diss the Battery and let the Car dry out, the ECU on a VX car for that Year should be Sealed, but no harm in disconnecting it and take it indoors some where warm over night.
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: pscocoa on 19 December 2018, 18:51:46
It all seemed dry and no water in engine management unit next to battery. Battery itself was new in summer.
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: dave the builder on 19 December 2018, 19:35:17
check all fuses ,particularly the bcm fuses  :y
 
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: tunnie on 19 December 2018, 20:02:03
Sounds to me liek RAC broke it? Started fine before they starting unplugging stuff!

They decided to unplug battery? So in my view it’s their mistake.

I have a Vauxhall scanner if you want? It should read stuff better than standard scanner, it should do live data etc.
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: STEMO on 19 December 2018, 20:02:37
Put the car into a skip full of rice and leave it in a warm place for a couple of days.

No need to thank me, Phil.  :)
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: pscocoa on 19 December 2018, 20:16:14
Put the car into a skip full of rice and leave it in a warm place for a couple of days.

No need to thank me, Phil.  :)

My wife is most impressed with your idea. Sheer genius,
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: pscocoa on 19 December 2018, 20:19:55
Sounds to me liek RAC broke it? Started fine before they starting unplugging stuff!

They decided to unplug battery? So in my view it’s their mistake.

I have a Vauxhall scanner if you want? It should read stuff better than standard scanner, it should do live data etc.

Thanks Mark. Will need to get it to dealer I am afraid as it was not responding to diagnostic before he disconnected battery. I am waiting to speak to rac management but fully expecting bullshit.
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: STEMO on 19 December 2018, 20:24:41
I'm pretty sure that everything would have been ok once it was dried out. But....how a car would dry out properly in weather conditions such as we have now is debatable. A couple of days in a warm garage maybe.
Anyhow, we're past that stage now.
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: STEMO on 19 December 2018, 20:28:31
Just to add, I don't think the ecu or suchlike would let in water. More likely a plug in the loom somewhere.
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: zirk on 19 December 2018, 22:53:22
Sounds to me liek RAC broke it? Started fine before they starting unplugging stuff!

They decided to unplug battery? So in my view it’s their mistake.

I have a Vauxhall scanner if you want? It should read stuff better than standard scanner, it should do live data etc.

Thanks Mark. Will need to get it to dealer I am afraid as it was not responding to diagnostic before he disconnected battery. I am waiting to speak to rac management but fully expecting bullshit.
Any Codes when you Pedal Trick it ?
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: dave the builder on 19 December 2018, 23:00:49
Just to add, I don't think the ecu or suchlike would let in water. More likely a plug in the loom somewhere.
I agree
which will possibly blow fuses ......
check all fuses ,particularly the bcm fuses  :y
 
blown fuses will stop coms with bcm which is needed to comunicate with other modules on some vauxhalls
plugging into the code reader which no one talks about could be helpful  :y
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 20 December 2018, 07:39:10
REC is the favourite on these
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: pscocoa on 20 December 2018, 08:35:26
That would make sense but how would water penetrate. REC is on near side rear I believe which would take brunt of water. Cannot open boot at present just waiting for tow truck.
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 20 December 2018, 08:59:13
Access boot from inside the car...

Tailgate can be popped by pulling the trim (may require interior handle being unscrewed first) and manually actuating the latch mechanism, although being an Elite will make it exceptionally hefty to open... Self closing is great. To a point.
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: pscocoa on 20 December 2018, 09:58:20
Access boot from inside the car...

Tailgate can be popped by pulling the trim (may require interior handle being unscrewed first) and manually actuating the latch mechanism, although being an Elite will make it exceptionally hefty to open... Self closing is great. To a point.

Thanks - it is now en route to dealer - quite a performance to get it into position - at first electronic handbrake would not come off but managed to sort it.

My days of doing more than bits and pieces with cars are long gone. It is only money!!
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: pscocoa on 20 December 2018, 18:36:04
Dealer advises it is indeed the REC but cause is nothing to do with car going through puddle. The culprit is the seal at top of tailgate and recent heavy rain just tipped the balance on a corroded REC. Will now try and get recovery fee back from RAC as this was not driver error.
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 20 December 2018, 19:24:17
A straightforward fix then :y

Good luck with the RAC...
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: terry paget on 20 December 2018, 20:59:40
What's an REC?
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: TheBoy on 20 December 2018, 21:03:34
What's an REC?
The rear end ECU.  CANBUS based cars tend not to have ECUs for each function, but an ECU in different parts of the car which control local functions.

For example, your Astra-H doesn't have a Central Locking ECU, instead the BCM sends a signal to each door ECU to lock/unlock (and close/open windows if the function is available).
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: TheBoy on 20 December 2018, 21:04:51
In the case of the Vectra-C, from memory, the REC is responsible for all rear end electrics, like indicators, lighting, boot lock etc.
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: YZ250 on 20 December 2018, 21:34:49
What's an REC?

As said above, they put various ECU's/fuse boards in different parts of the vehicle and use abbreviations to show where they are.
For example,
REC = Rear Electrical Centre (in the boot)
UEC = Underhood Electrical Centre (under the bonnet)
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: aaronjb on 21 December 2018, 09:19:48
The rear end ECU.  CANBUS based cars tend not to have ECUs for each function, but an ECU in different parts of the car which control local functions.

Because what cars have always needed is more electrical complexit  :y

(I know - in reality this is done to lower costs because less wiring is needed and copper is expensive and complex to install and route, and because this allows fancier functions that we all need like chasing LED lights...)
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 21 December 2018, 10:45:54
The rear end ECU.  CANBUS based cars tend not to have ECUs for each function, but an ECU in different parts of the car which control local functions.

Because what cars have always needed is more electrical complexit  :y

(I know - in reality this is done to lower costs because less wiring is needed and copper is expensive and complex to install and route, and because this allows fancier functions that we all need like chasing LED lights...)

Many reasons

1) Reduced weight
2) Reduced cost
3) Greater feature flexibility
4) Greater reliability (yes, connectors and cable are actually more prone to failure than electronics)
5) Fancier functions

etc etc etc
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 21 December 2018, 12:24:15
That's four reasons then ;D
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: pscocoa on 27 December 2018, 20:07:02
RAC would not see logic of argument. My renewal of subscription was on 24th Dec - same day they said I could not appeal the recovery fee. So bye bye RAC. Retentions were not happy but they are unable to influence.
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: Viral_Jim on 27 December 2018, 23:52:08
RAC would not see logic of argument. My renewal of subscription was on 24th Dec - same day they said I could not appeal the recovery fee. So bye bye RAC. Retentions were not happy but they are unable to influence.

...and today you wrote them a nice letter explaining the small claims court process you would be following?
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: pscocoa on 27 December 2018, 23:57:21
Will need to get final report on Insignia before deciding what to do. Part arrived today so hopefully some news tomorrow
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: pscocoa on 28 December 2018, 20:36:01
All fixed REC was only culprit. They have had at least 3 such issues in last 3 months all REC related. Will take a look at small claims court for RAC now.
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: Shackeng on 28 December 2018, 22:33:16
https://www.resolver.co.uk/freeadvice/services/456/issues?territory=Default :y
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: plym ian on 29 December 2018, 23:34:25
I had exactly the same issue with my insignia at the beginning of the year. Took me ages to find out the problem. I dried out the rear ecu and was ok despite being full of water apart from one pin that had rusted out but i fixed that with a sewing needle!!!!! Sealed up where the rain was coming in the top seal in the boot area. Also had to dry out the motor for the tail gate as that was full of water to.

There was a recall in the USA to do with this but vauxhall didn’t want to know :-\

Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: pscocoa on 29 December 2018, 23:45:29
https://www.resolver.co.uk/freeadvice/services/456/issues?territory=Default :y

Used Resolver to file complaint. Many thanks.
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: Shackeng on 30 December 2018, 11:08:58
https://www.resolver.co.uk/freeadvice/services/456/issues?territory=Default :y

Used Resolver to file complaint. Many thanks.

 :y :y :y
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: Auto Addict on 30 December 2018, 11:36:59
I had the same thing, check the ecu connections in the rear offside, mine was soaking wet causing the problems you have mentioned.
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: pscocoa on 07 January 2019, 09:55:29
https://www.resolver.co.uk/freeadvice/services/456/issues?territory=Default :y

Used Resolver to file complaint. Many thanks.

 :y :y :y

RAC agreed to refund after I went through Resolver system. Very quick. I am now with AA as my sub to RAC expired on 24/12/18 and at that time were refusing to play ball on the refund. The evidence from Eden Vauxhall tipped the balance. Thanks all.
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 07 January 2019, 10:19:24
https://www.resolver.co.uk/freeadvice/services/456/issues?territory=Default :y

This looks like a good service and I've bookmarked it for future reference as I have a potential dispute with my energy company in the offing!  ::)  :y
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: pscocoa on 07 January 2019, 12:50:33
Just trying it again today for an issue with VW relating to a failed crankshaft pulley in January 2016 which was replaced and  failed again after just over 2 years in April 2018. Both dealer and VW blame each other and say it is not of unsatisfactory quality. See what happens.
Title: Re: Insignia electrics after going through large puddle
Post by: STEMO on 07 January 2019, 13:01:34
Resolver is a very handy tool, and you don't need to be financially/commercially savvy to use it. Patience is always the way.