Starting issue

[dmason]

Hello Everyone,

I've got an 04 Blingo that initially had a few problems with the ECU, thanks to Evan that has all been sorted out.
Unfortunately it appears I have another problem. On the weekend I was driving at night and hit a deep puddle, I noticed the next day that the electrical fault light was on so I checked on the BVS forum and saw some mention of moisture problems triggering a fault, so guessed this might be the problem. The vehicle was still working but I decided not to drive it for fear of doing any damage. Yesterday I turned on the motor and the fault light had gone off so I thought things must have dried out with the sunny weather and did a short run with no problems. I charged up last night and this morning the fault light was back and the vehicle wouldn't go, when I turned the key there was the usual click sound followed by a second click like when the vehicle is turned off. I then went out and pulled the fuses underneath and there was a bit of moisture in the side pair, so cleaned them off and disconnected the 12v to reset things. After this the fault is off again now and van working fine. I am now a little worried to drive without knowing what the problem might be. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated,

Cheers!

[ChrisB]

Sounds like the normal insulation fault.

Must admit I avoid puddles like the plague.

It might be worth taking the brush cover off the motor and having a look in their, could be that the seals gone on that cover and allowing water in, leave it off for a while and allow it to dry out (dont drive it with it off)

In general the ECU should shut everything down, as you have found, if theres a problem, how ever you could get a high voltage flash over which generally toasts the controller so always best to try and cure the problem or let it dry out before driving it.

My van suffers from an insulation fault when we have a humid night and can remain on for a few weeks but does seem to dry out and go out again once the weather warms up, but I do avoid puddles as much as poss.

ChrisB

[dmason]

Thanks Chris, What you have said all makes sense. I realise driving through puddles probably not a good idea, it was a dark and stormy night and the puddle snuck up on me!
The fault light is still not back on today and van seems ok, but I will check the brush cover, I had it open a few weeks ago to check the brushes so it may not have sealed up properly.

[Grumpy-b]

My white van has recently started doing this after nearly 3 years, I have sucsequently blown out the moror using a 8mm nylon airline , so no scratching of anything and I was surprised how much dust came out. Light still comes on though when its wet. I will wait until all is dry and then check connections and covers.

Mine did go off for a while when it was cold and dry.

Grumpy-b

[ChrisB]

I'm still not sure of the Airline blow out method, so far I havent done this on my van, one concern of mine is blowing the carbon into an area where it shouldnt be and thus causing a flash over and bye bye controller

ChrisB

[Grumpy-b]

Away from the brush area there was loads of dust, carbon or not its there. Sure you may put some where it wasnt but you also get out a lot of dust that is just sitting there. I was surprised just how much came out, plenty of air later and clean air comiing out I figured has to be an improvement. There is airflow from the cooling fan so thts already pushing dust about, just not so strongly.

Grumpy-b