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

[Cookiesouwest]

Fleet update.

CRV had its ball joint done. No annoying knock

Has now developed weird noise from the rear though !

The BFG heated seats now work. I did nothing. They just started working after two days. Weird.

The MG ZS180 that's been sitting on my mums drive for 5 years will be sold. A local rover licker wants it. It use to look good.

 

The Polo of Little Cookie. This is a fucking hateful ungrateful piece of shit.

It's been running cold since purchase. Throwing up random EPC and EML lights, that give different codes whenever they are ready.

It went in Wednesday for a thermostat. On the way home, little cookie broke down. In the town one way system, at the busiest junction. This did nothing for her anxiety. Luckily passers by, pushed her out of the way.

Garage came to rescue her. Got it going and drove it back to garage. Code said gearbox fault. Codes cleared, 30 min test drive. Threw EML again. Code said EGR issue. So garage blanked the EGR and little cookie drove home.

Today I took it for a long rant round the lanes. Must say it drove better than its ever done. Clearly running at the right temp helps.

But after an hour, following me stopping for a coke at my local, it threw up EML and EPC lights.

Drove home. On restart only had EML.

This horrible piece of shit will be leaving soon. Little Cookie does not trust it. Mrs Cookie worried about Little Cookie having another FTP too. So its days are numbered. 

[Cookiesouwest]

11 minutes ago, MrGTI6 said:

Even if you do get to the bottom of the issue with the Polo, in typical VAG fashion it'll be something else again next week. It's had its chance.

Loving the yellow ZS. Looks an early example. Can't say I recall seeing one on a Y-reg.

It was a good example. One of the first off the production line.

Sadly life very much got in the way.

Agree re the Polo. It's had its chance.

 

[Cookiesouwest]

Persuaded Little Cookie to take the Polo for a drive.

It didnt break down. But she was so anxious she couldn't remember if EML was on. 

So I tool it out. Drove fine. No EML.

My ELM 327 would not pair up with my Torque Pro apo. I had wanted to scan it. New ELM 327 ordered.

Even if it behaves, Little Cookie is so scared of it FTP'ing, I'm still going to have to replace it.

The BFG heated seats have stopped working again. Cant be a fuse, as fault in intermittent. Im wondering if torque pro app will work. Will give it a try when the ELM arrives in the week.

[Cookiesouwest]

Another Polo FTP, but this time its my fault.

When I ran the Polo around the block, I accidently left the lights on

Little cookie went out to drive it and a very dead battery. Jumped it and sent her off for a 30 min drive to get some life back in the battery.

Oh how I wish I hadn't given Little Cookie such a lecture, when she did the same thing lol

When she got back she reported 14v in the battery but the EPC and EML had made a re-appearance.

Its been decided, largely by me, to replace the Polo with an Astra H, 1.8 Auto.

The 1.8 is a good robust engine and the Auto is a proper slush box.

It will probably double her insurance.

There seem to be a few around locally, so hopefully I can find a half decent one.

[Cookiesouwest]

Wednesday I took the polo for a drive.

No EML. Scanned it anyway. No codes. Took an awfully long time for my ELM to connect. So long I thought it was knackered so tried it on the Honda.

Hilariously the Honda threw up an O2 sensor fault. Hoping its an old one, so cleared it.

Then managed to get it to connect to the Polo. No codes lol.

On Thursday little Cookie took the car to her Dads. He lives an hour away. First time she had driven that far and first time on dual carrigeways. She manage to get lost, ended up sat on someones driveway for 10 mins crying, but eventually she made it. Quite proud of her given her horrendous anxiety.

Her dad is a driving instructor and took her out Friday for some roundabout practice, as frankly everytime she uses one, someone nearly dies. Thankfully his instruction worked, because she had a far better drive back.

She doesnt want to get rid of the Polo. Ive told her its on borrowed time if we cant solve the EPC / EML issues. She also wants the headlights improved because she cant see shit at night. This may have more to do with her eyesight than the car, but today took a trip to Halfords to buy Halfords advanced 200% bulbs. 38 quid for two H7 !

One bulb fitted, then the heavens opened. She thinks the new one is brighter. I'm not convinced. Will fit the other when it stops pissing down.

EML still on. But ELM would not connect again

Despite her wanting to keep the Polo, I have found an Astra on FB. Seems to have been looked after. Will arrange viewing in next few days, if he still has it.

To be fair, I do like the shitbox Polo and if its replaced, I may keep it for a run about.

Im also kinda hoping the EPC / EML problem can be solved.

Mrs Cookie is finding it too stressful when LC goes out in the Polo, hence its almost certain replacement at some point.

 

[Cookiesouwest]

In a break in the torrential rain, I went out and changed the other bulb. 

Little Cookie may* be right. Now its dark, they do seem a bit brighter.

Also tried reconnecting to the OBD. Im using this and torque pro app.

I know it works, as it has linked before and also works on the Honda.

Its getting power as that lights up.

OBD also lights up, although flickers a bit if the OBD port wiring is waggled.

But the Comm light just flashes. Torque App says no connection with ECU.

So I think part of the problem is the wiring from the OBD port. My vcds knock off would not connect and my mechanic has also had difficulty with connections.

I dont think that would make EPC or EML light come on though.

So its an Astra 1.8 Auto thats local or maybe the slightly younger silver Polo thats on the for sale board, plus a hefty shiply quote from North Wales.

At least the current Polo could give up some parts to improve the Silver one and still remain driveable.

Or let Little Cookie drive this till it dies, which it may never do.

 

[SiC]

Did you want to come over sometime to mine for me to have a poke? I have a genuine VCDS too. 

[Cookiesouwest]

2 hours ago, SiC said:

Did you want to come over sometime to mine for me to have a poke? I have a genuine VCDS too. 

Thank you.

I may take you up on that offer.

My luck, I will get to yours and the EML will be off when I arrive

 

[Zelandeth]

Make sure one of the pins hasn't been pushed out of the back of the OBD socket.  The VAG ones seem to be a bit shit and I had to repin the one on my Caddy as two of the pins made a bid for freedom as soon as I tried to connect to it.

[SiC]

36 minutes ago, Cookiesouwest said:

Thank you.

I may take you up on that offer.

My luck, I will get to yours and the EML will be off when I arrive

 

It's probably going to be something silly like O2 heater, carbon canister purge valve or such if it's intermittent but still providing full power. 

[Cookiesouwest]

Weirder and weirder.

Took the Polo out for a spin this morning.

Took quite awhile for it to come up to temp. Finally did as I was pulling in to pub carpark.

Had a coke. Got back in and drove home. Temp gauge at 1/4. Gave it a hard rant round industrial estate, temp up to halfway, drove home.

Gauge dropped to 1/4. Stayed there.

 

Thought maybe the fans were running, but no.

I think this car may be haunted.

[SiC]

I might change my bets to thermostat and it throwing a code for not warming up quickly enough. Maybe O2 sensor still for not warming up coupled with the thermostat not helping it.

[Cookiesouwest]

6 hours ago, SiC said:

I might change my bets to thermostat and it throwing a code for not warming up quickly enough. Maybe O2 sensor still for not warming up coupled with the thermostat not helping it.

It did have new thermostat a couple of weeks ago and worked fine.

So unless thats failed or failing, something else is messing with the engine temperature.

Very weird that it eventually got to 90, then dropped and stayed at one third.

Never had that problem before with any other car.

[Cookiesouwest]

So. A car happened. A little bit lastminute.com

@Rikdogguk had advertised a newer 1.4 Auto Polo for sale.

And in an amazing twist of fate was happy to drive it to Bristol from North Wales, today. As he has work here next week.

So obviously I bought it.

It was exactly as described. 

@Rikdogguk is a lovely bloke and I would happily buy from him again.

No Wollard or Pez shot. Car has been left in the Bristol suburbs and I will return on Tuesday with LC to collect. She will be informed she has to pose for a Wollard when we get to the car. She may say F*ck Off lol

The car is 4 years younger and a facelift model. 

Have a pic in the dark and rain.

 

[SiC]

It did have new thermostat a couple of weeks ago and worked fine.
So unless thats failed or failing, something else is messing with the engine temperature.
Very weird that it eventually got to 90, then dropped and stayed at one third.
Never had that problem before with any other car.

Your E320 had a APEC thermostat that lasted a few weeks before it broke like the original. Then I ponied up for a genuine Merc and was absolutely fine there after.

So I wouldn't discount the thermostat failing again.

[Cookiesouwest]

FTP 

The merc has been parked since Saturday. Went to use it tonight and its so dead, it wont unlock.

Drivers door mirror is out, should be in, as it folds when ignition is turned off.

Also the intermittant flashing of the drivers door mirror indicator is not occuring.

So suggests a very flat battery. Weird, given it had a new one in the summer.

Going to attempt to get in to it later.

Polo update - New Polo is home. Little cookie refused to do a Wollard. No pez shot as it had fuel. LC is very happy with it.

Her old Polo is now in my name. Im using it as a pub car / local trips. The temp issue seems to have resolved itself. Comes up to temp and stays there. The EML is permanently on, but it keeps on trucking and is not top of the list of priorities at mo.

[Cookiesouwest]

So, the little emergency key does open the drivers door.

My jump pack

Is not up to the job. Does get some power in it, car would lock / unlock on fob, SBC emergency warning on dash and clock going mental, but wont turn over.

Got to help the Mrs, so using the Honda to jump it, will have to wait.

[SiC]

Did it flatten the secondary battery too by the sounds of it?

[Cookiesouwest]

3 minutes ago, SiC said:

Did it flatten the secondary battery too by the sounds of it?

I dont know how to tell

I dont know what systems the secondary battery runs.

I will try and jump it from the Honda tomorrow evening. 

But if it does it again, its time on this earth is numbered.

[SiC]

57 minutes ago, Cookiesouwest said:

I dont know how to tell

I dont know what systems the secondary battery runs.

I will try and jump it from the Honda tomorrow evening. 

But if it does it again, its time on this earth is numbered.

These cars don't like sitting. They have a high power drain even when locked and off. 

Secondary battery runs the primary systems - mostly keeping the SBC alive in the event of a complete main battery and alternator failure. 

[SiC]

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. 

[Cookiesouwest]

1 hour ago, SiC said:

These cars don't like sitting. They have a high power drain even when locked and off. 

Secondary battery runs the primary systems - mostly keeping the SBC alive in the event of a complete main battery and alternator failure. 

Surely sitting for 2 days would not cause a problem.

It gave no sign of weak battery before. No messages for loss of functions.

Im hoping once it restarts and given a run, both batteries can be saved

[Rikdogguk]

11 hours ago, Cookiesouwest said:

FTP 

The merc has been parked since Saturday. Went to use it tonight and its so dead, it wont unlock.

Drivers door mirror is out, should be in, as it folds when ignition is turned off.

Also the intermittant flashing of the drivers door mirror indicator is not occuring.

So suggests a very flat battery. Weird, given it had a new one in the summer.

Going to attempt to get in to it later.

Polo update - New Polo is home. Little cookie refused to do a Wollard. No pez shot as it had fuel. LC is very happy with it.

Her old Polo is now in my name. Im using it as a pub car / local trips. The temp issue seems to have resolved itself. Comes up to temp and stays there. The EML is permanently on, but it keeps on trucking and is not top of the list of priorities at mo.

Good to hear new Polo has been well received.

Reading back on your EPC/EML woes, it triggered a memory.  When I first got silver Polo I changed the oil and it threw random EML/EPC afterward.  I then realised I hadn’t tightened the oil cap properly, apparently this is a thing that can cause EML/EPC lights due to  low crankcase pressure.

You may have already checked yellow polo, but is the oil cap tight and not damaged / cracked? 
 

 

 

 

[SiC]

8 hours ago, Cookiesouwest said:

Surely sitting for 2 days would not cause a problem.

It gave no sign of weak battery before. No messages for loss of functions.

Im hoping once it restarts and given a run, both batteries can be saved

A lot of short journeys that hasn't allowed it to fully charge?

Also could this cold snap has finished off the battery. Shouldn't of course if new, but as we all know nowadays unfortunately, new stuff doesn't mean that it's not shite quality even if a premium brand 🫤 Or could be alternator not charging. Or not shutting down properly to conserve battery.

[Cookiesouwest]

36 minutes ago, Rikdogguk said:

Good to hear new Polo has been well received.

Reading back on your EPC/EML woes, it triggered a memory.  When I first got silver Polo I changed the oil and it threw random EML/EPC afterward.  I then realised I hadn’t tightened the oil cap properly, apparently this is a thing that can cause EML/EPC lights due to  low crankcase pressure.

You may have already checked yellow polo, but is the oil cap tight and not damaged / cracked? 
 

 

 

 

Actually I havent checked that. I will today. Thank you

[UltraWomble]

On 02/11/2025 at 21:07, Cookiesouwest said:

So. A car happened. A little bit lastminute.com

@Rikdogguk had advertised a newer 1.4 Auto Polo for sale.

 

 

Oh wow, Im sorry I missed that for shale ad. I do like these 9N(3) Polo's. Ive got one with the 1.4TDi and winter pack. I love it  (Mk1 & Mk2 daughters however hate it).

Maybe my choice of L driver sign has something to do with that...

[Cookiesouwest]

A jump start has occurred.

First attempt no dice. So let the Honda trickle charge for 5 mins and on second attempt it fired into life.

This is standard. Figured a decent run would clear that fault.

Well no. No it didnt.

Checked the main battery. Ignition off.

Engine running

So main battery is back to life and ok.

So using my very limited knowledge I have deduced, the secondary battery has not come back from the dead.

Im also convinced there must be a drain somewhere. Car was perfect Saturday. Had a very long run. Then Monday its dead as a dodo.

The only obvious difference is the drivers wing mirror indicator.

Which remains lit with ignition off. It always flashed occasionally when the car performs its security checks, but never remained permanently lit. So its getting ripped off later and I need to find a replacement secondary battery.

 

[Cookiesouwest]

Trip to the local motorfactors.

Auxillary Battery, 94 quid but wont be available till Thursday.

So tried my luck at Mercedes Bath

Very posh. Felt out of place but they were very good.

Didnt care I drive an antique.

115.20 for an OEM auxillary Battery.

Pretty happy with that. The extra 20 quid was worth it for the posh waiting room (Mercedes Bath referred to it as the Lounge) and immediate availability. If they are not careful, I might get them to service the car lol

Anyway, when it stops pishing down, I will be attempting to fit this

And this

In the hope that it doesnt drain the battery, like the current one.

 

[Snake Charmer]

I bought an AGM backup from Tayna Batteries and eventually the main. I think the backup is for the SBC etc if the main fails.

How much was the side repeater if you don't mind me asking?

[Cookiesouwest]

33 minutes ago, Snake Charmer said:

I bought an AGM backup from Tayna Batteries and eventually the main. I think the backup is for the SBC etc if the main fails.

How much was the side repeater if you don't mind me asking?

Side repeater was one I already had. Cheap chinese knock off. Was about 30 quid ish. The previous one was less than 20. Thought more expensive might be better (hint - its not).

Mercedes dont have any mirror side repeaters anymore. The internet said they stopped stocking them a couple of years back. Tbh I should have asked, just in case they had one hanging around, sat lonely on a shelf for the last ten years. The chinese ones are shit. As I am about to write up.

If you find a source of OE mirror indicators and there are enough to go round, please let me know.