Steeringwheel electrics & indicators problem after overheat

[Iain-9ky7o]

Hi All Please help,

After my local MOT garage overheated my 4.5 Cerbera in a fast idle test of which it failed, I drove home but kept an eye on the temp all the way. on the way home the electrics on the steering wheel stopped working aswell as the indicators and hazards. Everything else is fine now but these are still not working. I have read through the forums etc and checked for dampness around and in the ECU plug in the passenger foot well, also the cigarette light is not used as I see that has caused problems but would lie to know where to look now for the fault?

Again please help

Thanks

Iain

[Robscim]

Hi Iain,

Your problem most likely lies within the ribbon cable. Have a quick search for ribbon cable on the forums (if the search function is working) - it's a common problem and you don't need to panic - yet!!

Cheers

Rob

[Iain-9ky7o]

Thanks Rob, will look for that would it be replacement or I suppose you wont know till you look?

Thanks

Iain

[Robscim]

Iain,

It may just have come unplugged if you're lucky!!

Have a good read up on them first - the ribbon cable is quite long and is wrapped round when fitted. Some of the techie guys on here have managed to repair breakages too.

I have to admit I've never had to tackle mine - but I have no doubt it will make its way onto the list at some point!!!

Let us know how you get on.

Cheers

Rob

[Iain-9ky7o]

Am going to tackle this myself but cant find any documents or step by step guides, dont suppose you know where any are?

Thanks

Iain

[Iain-9ky7o]

Hi Rob,

Have just gone out to look at my cerbera and found everything is now working ))
but thanks for you advise.

Thanks

Iain

[Robscim]

Iain,

That's excellent news! You didn't say something bad about her whilst she was listening? They have feelings you know!

Sounds like it could be the ribbon cable coming loose at one end, but I am guessing.

I shall have a look for a more detailed guide - it's not something I've done but is a common problem.

Glad you are back in business!

Cheers

Rob

[Iain-9ky7o]

I always talk nicelyy to it until it doesn't start then I get tourette syndrome!!

Thank again

Iain

[jammy_basturd]

I'd be surprised if it was just the ribbon cable, as the ribbon cable within the steering wheel doesn't carry the indicator electronics. More likely to be the control box under the dash which the ribbon cable (along with a second one from the indicators) goes into.

[Iain-9ky7o]

Was hoping it drying out would have solved it but if it happens again will look in to it more.

[Byff]

The steering wheel control box is mounted up a height, doubt it'd get damp there. I usually find switching it off and on again kick starts things back into life, if it doesn't, at least you have a genuine fault to investigate.

I'm curious as to what happened when it overheated? Spit coolant out and soak everything or just ran a bit hot on the gauge?

[Iain-9ky7o]

I have found the problem, a hole in the expansion tanks so ordered a new one from ebay!!

Basically it soaked everything under the bonnet.

Hoping a new expansion tank will sort it all out now. In doing so I have checked the CTS and find this is why the fans didnt kick in so replacing this and running a manual switch inside the car to over ride it.

THanks

Iain

[jammy_basturd]

Where abouts is the hole? The expansion tank has an overflow hole in the middle of the tank on the underside.

You'd also be better replacing the CTS and allowing the fans to kick in as usual via the ECU.

[Iain-9ky7o]

its on the underside but looks like its been ripped so dont think it should be there? Can you send me a link to a picture of it?

[jammy_basturd]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Iain-9ky7o]

Thanks Jammy,
Its a different hole than this one, not man made.

Thanks
Iain

[Iain-9ky7o]

OK so replaced the RTS and the fans are now kicking in fine, replaced the expansion tank too. Ran the car up to temperature and it split the expansion tank and spat coolant every where, have looked on the forums and think it may be because I didn't bleed the system correctly.

Could anyone tell me any other reasons for this to happen?

Thanks

Iain

[gruffalo]

Bad expansion tank?

[jammy_basturd]

Where did it split the expansion tank?

The tank cap is designed to vent at 25 PSI, surprised it split the tank before the cap vented.

[Iain-9ky7o]

It split on the seal part. then pushed the near off where it's moulded to the tank. Cap didn't seem to be doing much.
serious pressure though

Thanks

Iain