Left my ECU cover off - now I think the rain has shorted it ll

[jdp1962]

I took the ECU cover off yesterday, in anticipation of feeding an ignition live for my DRLs either today or Saturday. I've just been woken by my car alarm going off. Further inspection reveals the central locking electrics are playing up and when I try to start it, it just clicks furiously. It's pouring with rain, and when I managed to unlock it and check under the bonnet, of course it's covered with water.

now I'm worried I've really damaged something.

 

[Artimus]

Double post.

 

[Artimus]

Use kitchen towel and mop it as dry as you can, then reach for a heat gun or hair dryer! Then put a couple of those silica bags (the ones you get with new shoes) in there & seal it with a sandwich bag & tape for 24 hours to draw out any moisture\condensation.

 

[jdp1962]

Thanks, Artimus

I managed to stuff some towels over it in the dark. The siren stopped, and some the interior electrics (lights and central locking) appeared to return after a few minutes. The alarm has been quiet for two and a half hours now, but I think I heard the fan whirring for a while. Meanwhile, it has stopped raining. My garage is only half a mile away, so have emailed them to ask for help as soon as they open at 8am.

 

[rizzini7]

Hope it's not terminal and easily sorted mate. 5 mins to remove ecu cover. Who are you kidding? I gave up after 10 last time I tried lol. (Admittedly I'm not very mechanically minded though)

We all make mistakes at some point and its nice to just get straight forward help when we do. Without someone pointing out the obvious error


P.s with the others or drying it out. I did see packing in a bag full of dried rice sometimes helps with wet electrical goods if you haven't got any moisture beads.

 

[Grahamb]

Hey i know about a water logged ecu, it never did recover, and it cost near on to 1500 to replace and code, not a audi but still not very nice, hope all is well with yours.

 

[jdp1962]

I've just examined it in daylight. The battery is in total shutdown (or possible completely drained flat). I can unlock the driver's door and boot with the key, but everything else is dead. I checked the footwells, no moisture there, so hopefully no damage to the convenience module. Now to see if the garage can collect it.

 

[Amason007]

I've just examined it in daylight. The battery is in total shutdown (or possible completely drained flat). I can unlock the driver's door and boot with the key, but everything else is dead. I checked the footwells, no moisture there, so hopefully no damage to the convenience module. Now to see if the garage can collect it.

Fingers crossed all turns out OK.

 

[Amason007]

Of course not. What I did hope for was constructive suggestions on how to deal with the situation, much like those from Artimus and you. GarJE's initial contribution offered nothing like that, just a laugh at my expense. I didn't think this forum was about that.

Correct Jeff,

You share your experiences with others so that it may help them in the future. We all make mistakes and this may help others in the future not to do the same. Thats what I thought the forums was all about!

Andy

 

[quattrojames]

Bad times Jeff, I hope you get it sorted.

I've tidied the unhelpful posts out of the thread.

 

[jdp1962]

Bad times Jeff, I hope you get it sorted.

I've tidied the unhelpful posts out of the thread.

Thanks, James, much appreciated. It's good to know who your friends are.

I have some progress to report. Sanspeed pitched up about 11.15am, put a booster on the battery, and it started straight away. I drove it the half a mile to their premises, and all seemed normal. The locking worked, the warning lights all cleared, the radio and climate worked (I immediately switched them off, though), to save juice.

It's now with Sanspeed until Monday. They have started the process of drying out the electrics, and that will be ongoing over the weekend. Meanwhile, this afternoon, they are fitting the new exhaust tips to the back boxes. On Monday, once they're satisfied the electrics are OK, they'll clear the stored faults, and then install the DRLs.

So as there's no car for me over the weekend, I plan to make a virtue out of a necessity and drink a shedload of beer. If nothing else, it'll take my mind off the credit card bill I'll be facing come Monday.

When I do eventually get it back, I'll be posting pics from both ends!

 

[scotty76]

Good result Jeff. These things happen. Enjoy the beer.

 

[rizzini7]

Nice one mate, glad to hear its ok. Know the feeling on the credit card side. Gotta put my repairs on mine . I really should learn to start saving in future. The misses has put me on a spending ban now

 

[Amason007]

Thanks, James, much appreciated. It's good to know who your friends are.

I have some progress to report. Sanspeed pitched up about 11.15am, put a booster on the battery, and it started straight away. I drove it the half a mile to their premises, and all seemed normal. The locking worked, the warning lights all cleared, the radio and climate worked (I immediately switched them off, though), to save juice.

It's now with Sanspeed until Monday. They have started the process of drying out the electrics, and that will be ongoing over the weekend. Meanwhile, this afternoon, they are fitting the new exhaust tips to the back boxes. On Monday, once they're satisfied the electrics are OK, they'll clear the stored faults, and then install the DRLs.

So as there's no car for me over the weekend, I plan to make a virtue out of a necessity and drink a shedload of beer. If nothing else, it'll take my mind off the credit card bill I'll be facing come Monday.

When I do eventually get it back, I'll be posting pics from both ends!

All looking good then thankfully Jeff :thumbsup:

Now you have Sanspeed fitting the DRL's for you, does that make me redundant

 

[jdp1962]

All looking good then thankfully Jeff :thumbsup:

Now you have Sanspeed fitting the DRL's for you, does that make me redundant

In the words of Sralan Sugar, "you're fired!"

No worries, mate, once it's all back together, we'll do the same and compare lighting. Anyway, aren't you getting a flat-bottomed wheel from His Royal Nigelness today?

 

[Amason007]

In the words of Sralan Sugar, "you're fired!"

No worries, mate, once it's all back together, we'll do the same and compare lighting. Anyway, aren't you getting a flat-borttomoed wheel from His Royal Nigelness today?

PMSL.

Yes Nigel has just called me to say all completed. He has also fitted electric folding mirrors as well. Will get some pic's up tomorrow, as the Mrs is taking the car to work now.

Cheers,

Andy

 

[jdp1962]

Shame you quoted me before I'd fixed the typos.

 

[Amason007]

Shame you quoted me before I'd fixed the typos.

We all make mistakes..........

 

[Broken Byzan]

All jokes aside, this could easily happen to anyone. Lets hope Jeff's beasty is ok and learn from this unfortunate incedent

 

[NHN]

Bad times Jeff, I hope you get it sorted.

I've tidied the unhelpful posts out of the thread.

Well done James, I read this early doors & tbh was disgusted by the attitude of 2 members, absolutely disgraceful attitude towards Jeff, totally undeserved.

I'll read the thread again now to ascertain updates, but happy to see them removed

 

[GarJE]

I apologise for my initial post. My second however was fully justified and contained quite helpful and relevant advice. This was also deleted.

Thank you.

I shall continue to gleen information from this site but no longer post. Keep those DRL's and LED's burnin'.

 

[jdp1962]

I apologise for my initial post. My second however was fully justified and contained quite helpful and relevant advice. This was also deleted.

Thank you.

I shall continue to gleen information from this site but no longer post. Keep those DRL's and LED's burnin'.

No worries, bud, it was the middle of the night and a bit fraught all round.

 

[Tolak]

And the resolution of this story is here