Water and bulbs dont mix. CRV still hates me - Cookie's adventures in shiteing

[Cookiesouwest]

I f*cked up a bit.

Went to car. Indicator still on.

Battery protection still on.

Started the engine, as im paranoid about the battery going flat again, then set about removing the wing mirror cover. Its a pain, but eventually it came off.

Definately water inside the light.

Once it was off, got a warning for the indicator being disconnected.

But the battery protection warning had gone !!

Either a co-incidence, as I had had the engine running and may have charged the auxillary battery. But a long drive this morning hadn't done that, so I dont believe that. I think the indicator had a short that was f*cking up the electrics.

The new indicator was shit and wouldnt fit. As if the chinese engineers had seen an original but hadnt bothered measuring it or even test fitting.

I dont have a dremmel but I do have a pen knife

After about 45 mins of whittling plastic, it fits. Kind of. I also had to enlarge one of the screw holes.

This is how much I took off, from various places.

The puddle lamp connector is also wrong and wont fit.

Old correct one on left. New wrong one on right.

So I tried getting the pins out and swapping the connector. 

I did but pressed the pin into the new connector the wrong way and now its stuck fast.

So I will need to sort that at some point.

When it stops pishing down, I will refit and see if error comes back.

 

[SiC]

The aux battery on it is one I fitted brand new.

I have recollection that it's charged differently to the main battery. As it's designed for emergency use when the main battery is flat, it spends most of its time not being used. So, from memory, the charge circuit is done separately to the main battery. This charge circuit can only slow charge the battery. Which is fine as it rarely has any power drain.

But that means it will take ages to fully charge from flat as that shouldn't normally ever need doing. 

Personally if I wanted to make sure it was fully charged, I'd have taken it out and put it on a separate charger with it set to motorbike battery mode. 

[Cookiesouwest]

Went out tonight to refit the mirror indicator and maybe the aux battery.

Car was dead as a Dodo again. Wouldnt unlock on key.

Im surprised its gone from starting ok with good battery charge to dead flat in 20 hours.

Too cold to piss about tonight with it, so will have a go tomorrow.

 

[SiC]

Either the main battery is dead/dying or there is something not shutting down and causing a high power drain.
I suspect it's something not shutting down

[Cookiesouwest]

25 minutes ago, SiC said:

Either the main battery is dead/dying or there is something not shutting down and causing a high power drain.
I suspect it's something not shutting down

I suspect the same.

Im going to remove both batteries. Fully charge them. If it dies within 24hrs, then its not the batteries.

[drewd]

Not 100%  sure if this is your issue, but it's worth investigating. Some Mercs have an electronic heater booster to help improve warm up times. It's basically an electronic heating element that draws something like 30 amps.

On my w203 C270 CDI this unit is bolted to the engine block, above the starter motor and below the inlet manifold. Which makes it a royal pain in the arse to access. Fortunately on other models it's mounted in more accessible places such as the inner wing. On mine the positive battery cable goes to this heater booster and the alternator, there's no fuse to disconnect so it took me a while to find out it existed and was faulty. Mine went open circuit and was killing a fully charged battery in about 6 hours. At first I thought my battery died as it happened during a cold snap in December, but it killed the brand new £150 battery in 6 hours too! I disconnected it and insulated the cable, it's been fine for almost 3 years now.

As I say I'm not sure this is your issue, or where the heater booster would be on your model, but I'd look into it. A quick google search found this video, not sure if it's of any help but it looks like it could be in the boot?

 

[Cookiesouwest]

While waiting for the battery charger to arrive for the BFG, the polo got a little love.

No idea why, as its probably going to get scrapped when its mot is up.

Solely because of the EML.

Anyway, its aerial was knackered, so ordered a new one.

When I went out to the car, its old aerial had disappeared !

So fitted the new one.

And I couldnt resist ordering rubber mats for it. 

Waste of money, if she is scrapped, but I like my cars to have decent mats.

Did run her for a bit and she smells rich. I may investigate at some point. Difficult as she wont connect to the code reader.

Suggestions for what may be making her run rich are welcome. When driving her she does pull quite hard when you put her in drive, without any gas. Poppy use to complain about how hard she had to use the brakes. If it was an older car I would say its running with the choke out.

[SiC]

7 minutes ago, Cookiesouwest said:

Suggestions for what may be making her run rich are welcome.

Just bring it around here and let me scan the codes 😂

Soon find out why without parts darting it! 

[Cookiesouwest]

So the BFG remains dead.

Unfortunately one of the neighbours are parked behind, so close, I cant get the boot open to get the battery out ! 

The Polo has been a good runabout for me. Hot start issues occasionally, so still dont really trust it. Do like it though.

CRV is throwing ABS / VSA issues. Will be a sensor or ring. Will book it in with garage.

[Cookiesouwest]

Why?

Ive spent more money on the Polo that will probably be scrapped.

It didn't have a parcel shelf.

35 quid from a scrappie and it does now

[MVX11V]

If you scrap it, pull off anything with a vee dubbaya badge on it and sell. Hub caps are £20 each ffs!

[Cookiesouwest]

Polo of Doom went to garage today for the first round of parts darts.

I assumed that 1) The thermostat that was fitted was good 2) The sensor controlling the temp gauge must be duff due to its whacky behaviour 3) Overfuelling smell might be down to the same sensor 4) Hot start issue could also be down to false temp info to ECU.

So 130 quid later

It started ok and for the first time in months no EML (although im not counting chickens yet).

So a good start.

Then thrashed it.

It went to 90c and stayed there

So, so far so good.

Cant test hot start issue tonight, but im hopeful thats also cured.

The Merc is still sitting, waiting for me to test its electrics. Ive booked it for MOT on the 9th Jan.

 It will be leaving the fleet though. Scrap or sold as is. A Zafira with the right colour / spec has come up local ish. Plus SiC is selling a Honda Civic Tourer that keeps winking at me. Zafira is somewhar cheaper though.

Cant have 4 cars on fleet.

[SiC]

1 hour ago, Cookiesouwest said:

The Merc is still sitting, waiting for me to test its electrics. Ive booked it for MOT on the 9th Jan.

Isn't that cutting it a bit fine with the MOT expiry? 😯

1 hour ago, Cookiesouwest said:

Plus SiC is selling a Honda Civic Tourer that keeps winking at me.

On 17/11/2025 at 22:07, SiC said:

If you do decide to cube it from being broken, I'll buy it back ... not that I need it but it's a unicorn nowadays and needs to be saved. 

1 hour ago, Cookiesouwest said:

Cant have 4 cars on fleet.

I'm sure something could be figured 🤔🙃

(Mrs SiC would kill me ... I'd have to play I just bought you a new car card with her 🙈🤣)

[Cookiesouwest]

1 minute ago, SiC said:

Isn't that cutting it a bit fine with the MOT expiry? 😯

I'm sure something could be figured 🤔🙃

(Mrs SiC would kill me ... I'd have to play I just bought you a new car card with her 🙈🤣)

Yes its cutting it fine.

But if its still broke (highly likley) - i can drop it at mot garage minutes before its test. Hoping battery lasts an hour.

Even if I cant fix it, it would be better to have 12 months ticket. People know what they are getting then.

I hadnt forgotten your offer to buy it back. Dont really want to be responsible for your divorce though

 

[SiC]

3 minutes ago, Cookiesouwest said:

Yes its cutting it fine.

But if its still broke (highly likley) - i can drop it at mot garage minutes before its test. Hoping battery lasts an hour.

Even if I cant fix it, it would be better to have 12 months ticket. People know what they are getting then.

I hadnt forgotten your offer to buy it back. Dont really want to be responsible for your divorce though

If it was working, I'd probably wouldn't be interested. You know I'm weird and like electrical faults. Especially when I have an extended Xmas break and fancy a little project 😅

(Just would need it MOT'd as my time to get around to sorting driving a car to a garage for one is limited and I'd have to leave it on the road as I'm overflowing with cars right now)

[Cookiesouwest]

The polo of doom has now had 9 hot starts since the temp sensor was fitted.

No starting issues at all

I will take it as a win.

 

[Cookiesouwest]

The Polo of Doom has decided it really likes the EML and EPC lights.

Started it this afternoon to go visit the parents.

Was looking forward to a good 20 mile thrash.

Car said - Fuck you

So took the CRV instead.

1st round parts darts - Polo 1 Cookie Nil

 

[Cookiesouwest]

Popped up to Bristol with the Mrs today, in the CRV , to visit my parents.

Once back, was helping the Mrs out of the car and she said ' whats that burning smell'

Very strong smell of burning plastic / rubber.

Car has been parked up. Not caught fire yet.

Mrs Cookie is very unsure about getting back in it.

Not for the first time in my life, I have 3 cars on fleet and all either dont work (BFG) or cant be trusted (Polo / CRV).

Tomorrow am, the CRV gets taken for a thrash, to see if anything melts / catches fire.

I can see an emergency purchase on the horizon tomorrow. Living in a small town, not much to choose from. Local dealer has a Ford Fusion, which could replace the polo. Another has a Zafira, but not the spec I want.

See if the CRV spontaneously combusts tomorrow.

 

[Sigmund Fraud]

22 minutes ago, Cookiesouwest said:

Not for the first time in my life, I have 3 cars on fleet and all either dont work (BFG) or cant be trusted (Polo / CRV).

Living the AS life ! My personal record is owning 9 cars, and still needing to borrow Mrs.F's car to get to work...

Anyway... Is one of the CRV calipers sticky ? A classic '00s Honda problem, and pretty easy/cheap to fix.

The Polo could be something equally easy/cheap, but you really need to plug it into VCDS otherwise the game of parts darts would get quite expensive...

[IronStar]

Did you drive over a plastic bag that got stuck to an exhaust? My 307CC stank of burning plastic for a while until it all melted away.

[Cookiesouwest]

15 minutes ago, IronStar said:

Did you drive over a plastic bag that got stuck to an exhaust? My 307CC stank of burning plastic for a while until it all melted away.

Will look in the morning. Ta

[Cookiesouwest]

19 minutes ago, Sigmund Fraud said:

Living the AS life ! My personal record is owning 9 cars, and still needing to borrow Mrs.F's car to get to work...

Anyway... Is one of the CRV calipers sticky ? A classic '00s Honda problem, and pretty easy/cheap to fix.

The Polo could be something equally easy/cheap, but you really need to plug it into VCDS otherwise the game of parts darts would get quite expensive...

Sadly the Polo of Doom has an issue with connecting to code readers.

Either it wont or when it does it gives different codes each time. My mechanic and I both suspect its got some weird ECU fault.

Some of the codes, if true, would mean the car would not run. Yet it still does.

[Sigmund Fraud]

6 minutes ago, Cookiesouwest said:

Sadly the Polo of Doom has an issue with connecting to code readers.

Either it wont or when it does it gives different codes each time. My mechanic and I both suspect its got some weird ECU fault.

Some of the codes, if true, would mean the car would not run. Yet it still does.

How odd ! ECU faults are not common in those, but with VAG quality* one can never say never.

[Cookiesouwest]

CRV was given a drive yesterday.

It didnt catch fire

No hot wheels or braking issues, so I think I can rule out sticky calipers.

No burning smell, inside car. Not sure I trust it entirely. Will see how it behaves in the coming week.

Polo of Doom has been taken for a run. Im currently in the pub, so I can test its hot start performance when I finish my Pepsi Max.

POD came up to temperature ok and held. So Im guessing the EML is not due to the thermostat or temp sensor.

I did get a scrap quote for it yesterday.

63 quid !! 

Hardly worth it.

So because I really love it, it gets another round of parts darts. 

Suggestions on a postcard. Or on this thread as thats probably easier

Will see if she restarts when I finish my drink.

[Cookiesouwest]

38 minutes ago, MrGTI6 said:

If the Polo is pre-2003, the EML shouldn't be an issue for MOT.

Provided it still runs OK*, I'd be inclined to ignore it rather than throwing parts at it.

*Being a VAG 1.4, I'd put money on it rattling like an old diesel from cold. TADTS.

Its certainly becoming an option, to leave it. See my next post

Id just like some confidence in it, so it could (in an emergency) get Mrs Cookie to GP or Hospital as and when needed. That level of confidence is missing at the mo.

[Cookiesouwest]

The restart at the pub went well, but id taken so long to drink my Pepsi, that the engine was cold. 

So a blast across town to Tesco for some healthy* food - Does Ginsters Pasty count as healthy? Its got vegtables in it- anyway I digress. 

Proper hot start and the bloody EML has now gone out.

Not complaining but Id prefer a little consistency.

The scrap man and 2nd round of parts darts are delayed.

 

[SiC]

On 26/12/2025 at 23:30, Cookiesouwest said:

Sadly the Polo of Doom has an issue with connecting to code readers.

Either it wont or when it does it gives different codes each time. My mechanic and I both suspect its got some weird ECU fault.

Some of the codes, if true, would mean the car would not run. Yet it still does.

Have you tried a genuine VCDS lead?

The reason I keep saying about it is that these older cars that are early OBD2 often only talk on the oldest protocols that not all scantools can do now. On the 54plate Fabia 1.4 I had, my VCDS connected fine but my generic tool didn't always auto detect and connect.

[SiC]

Did you get anywhere further with the BFG battery drain?

When I googled the other day, it seemed the common drain points is the electric adjustable seat modules and/or the command satnav unit.

Maybe worth charging it all up and pulling the fuses out for those modules to see if it goes to sleep properly.

Again feel free to come over if you want me to have a look. I can put my DC clamp ammeter over the battery terminal to see what the parasitic drain is and if it's going to sleep properly. Then pull fuses to see if the drain drops dramatically.

[Cookiesouwest]

42 minutes ago, SiC said:

Have you tried a genuine VCDS lead?

The reason I keep saying about it is that these older cars that are early OBD2 often only talk on the oldest protocols that not all scantools can do now. On the 54plate Fabia 1.4 I had, my VCDS connected fine but my generic tool didn't always auto detect and connect.

I havent tried that, so will investigate.

As for BFG ive not done anything yet. Life has got in the way. Im well aware the clock is ticking

If I bring it to you I may end up buying third estate in a row from you ! But in all probability I will need some assistance.

[RoverFolkUs]

On 26/12/2025 at 23:30, Cookiesouwest said:

Sadly the Polo of Doom has an issue with connecting to code readers.

Either it wont or when it does it gives different codes each time. My mechanic and I both suspect its got some weird ECU fault.

Some of the codes, if true, would mean the car would not run. Yet it still does.

I had it connected to and communicating with a snap on solus scanner when I had it without any trouble, it might well be a bit fussy with a generic reader

I wish I was more local otherwise I would have gladly offered to assist in getting to the bottom of whatever it is that's been plauging that car 😅