New car with 2 electrical faults - Help Please

Steveo · Post by **Steveo** » Thu May 03, 2012 4:14 pm

Hi there

Just picked up my new 406 2.0 HDI Exec 110bhp 2001 and driven it 5 hours back home.

Two things I've noticed:

1. On automatic rain detection mode of the windscreen wipers, at the lowest speed setting (i.e. when it's not raining much), with each sweep of the wipers there's an electronic click sound (the same sound as the indicators make). One click as it goes up and another as it comes down, every sweep without fail. The sound comes from around the right of the steering column. As it rains more and the wipers speed up, it stops. It's not there on any of the manual settings....

2. Once, possibly twice I got an electronic 'scramble' sound, for a split second, and at the same time the briefest flash of a warning light on the clocks below the speedo/rev counters.... too quick to actually see what light it was.

I bought the car from a trader with what I was told was a 2 month warranty, then after I'd picked up paperwork I noticed it's parts only.... I phoned them up and they said they'd be reasonable about it, but that was before anything wrong had been drawn to their attention!

Your thoughts please.

Thanks

Steve

lozz · Post by **lozz** » Thu May 03, 2012 4:54 pm

1. click noise is normal, they all do it, (Relay opening and closing kind of noise ? )
2. Handbrake switch might be faulty keep your eye on the Mfd the next time it does it,

rwb · Post by **rwb** » Thu May 03, 2012 5:00 pm

I haven't noticed any such clicking.
Maybe this could be a COM2000 problem -- 2001 would get one of the original dodgy units.

How is your indicator stalk? Is it floppy or sometimes fail to self-cancel? These are the usual COM2000 problems.

BTW: other than those two, how did you find a 5 hour trip in a 406?

lozz · Post by **lozz** » Thu May 03, 2012 5:02 pm

ive had that clicking on all the cars ive had citroen and peugeots, comm 2000
My renault makes the same noise too, so ipresumed its normal on Modern cars

rwb · Post by **rwb** » Thu May 03, 2012 5:05 pm

I'll have a listen for it tomorrow then...

lozz · Post by **lozz** » Thu May 03, 2012 5:09 pm

You shouid be able to hear it with the radio and blower off,
im not saying im correct here but everyone ive had as made the Click noise, ialways presumed it was a delay unit housed within the B.s.i

Post by **Doggy** » Thu May 03, 2012 5:34 pm

I agree, the click's normal - sound of the wiper relay picking up / dropping out.

Also check the battery connections, particularly the quick release one on the +ve terminal - a loose connection will give you the type of problem you describe.

grasmere59 · Post by **grasmere59** » Thu May 03, 2012 6:18 pm

Both my 406's made that clicking sound and as said it is the wiper relay dropping in and out,it's the same "click" sound as when you turn on the heated rear window etc

Steveo · Post by **Steveo** » Fri May 04, 2012 12:55 pm

Hi Gents

Thanks for your replies.

Well I've just traded a 2.1TD Exec in for the 2.0 HDI Exec... the 2.1TD never made the clicking noise with the windscreen wipers. And this one only makes the clicking at the lowest speed setting on auto setting i.e. when raining least.

Was the comment about the quick release on the battery positive terminal a possible cause of the electrical 'scramble' sound and warning light flash, or about the windscreen wiper click? Presumably I need to be careful in not breaking the connection to the battery because of problems with re-setting various functions etc.....??

Indicator stalk seems fine.

How did I enjoy 5 hours in a 406..? Well as I mentioned above, it's not the first time as have done this journey in the old one a few times and got out feeling very relaxed.

To be honest I'm agonising over whether I've made the right decision to change, and fear I haven't.

Although the old car was noisier, rattly internally and older (152k miles versus 80k with the new one), I think I prefer the old one: more character, prettier, more poke (new one feels gutless). Quality of internal build and plastics etc. just feels cheaper in the new one. Clutch and steering are much lighter in the new one. New one feels very bland in comparison. Stereo in old one miles better; seats in old one slightly better (have adjustable lumber support); old one's steering wheel more comfortable than the inner ridge on the new one which digs into your hands...

Agonizing over whether to try and reverse the deal.

Thanks

Steve

Steveo · Post by **Steveo** » Fri May 04, 2012 1:44 pm

Where does the windscreen wiper relay live, and is it difficult to get to?

Steve

Post by **Doggy** » Fri May 04, 2012 5:46 pm

It's in the BSI, (above/behind the passenger fusebox). Getting to it's not too bad, but changing some of the relays is difficult, (soldering iron time).

Why are you worried about it?

Steveo · Post by **Steveo** » Tue May 08, 2012 9:35 am

Thanks Doggy

It's just one of those things that pi**es me off!

Wow soldering iron eh? In any other vehicle it would just have a connector block to it wouldn't it?!

Cheers

Steve

406oc.co.uk