Technical Electrical issues when it rains

[Bach1]

Hello all from Portugal,
My wife has a 500 Pop from 2008. The car had its ups and downs, but recently I encountered an issue that has been bothering my wife to the point where she wants to get rid of the car.

Around 5 days ago it had rained a lot. My wife got off work, and when she tried to start the car, it wouldn’t start. No crank, no dash lights, no central locking, nothing. After unplugging and plugging back again the negative terminal, that car started with no issues, but still with no central locking.

This continued for a couple of days and today, I finally had time to check the car. I noticed the car had no issues whatsoever and everything worked. I cleaned the interior and noticed the footwell of the rear left seat was wet. After disassembling the left door sill, I couldn’t find the cause of the wet spot. Tomorrow I’m going to continue disassembling and try to find where the water is coming from, but I was wondering if the issue could be something else. Has anyone had this kind of issue or know any other things I shloud look for?

 

[varesecrazy]

Worth checking the scuttle drain

Search DUCKBILLS on here if you struggle

 

[Bach1]

Worth checking the scuttle drain

Search DUCKBILLS on here if you struggle

The scuttle drains are cleaned regularly. The wife always parks the car under the trees where we live, so if we dont clean it often, it gets clogged up quite fast.

 

[John202020]

Still worth checking the engine earth strap even though you're in warmer climates

 

[Jockstrap]

Could be mastic in seams has deteriorated.
Rain could find its route down to the footwell from underneath the roof plastics.
The footwell maybe the last of the water shortages .

 

[steveras57]

Might not be related to the rain a wet spot rear left might be related to the plastic pipe that takes water to the rear washer are the washer functioning normaly?

 

[Bach1]

Might not be related to the rain a wet spot rear left might be related to the plastic pipe that takes water to the rear washer are the washer functioning normaly?

Water does come out but I’m not sure if it’s working normally. When I wash the rear window, the washer makes burping sounds like it’s expelling the air from the system and then water starts coming out.

 

[Bach1]

So I just got home, the car was driving fine but I noticed the headlights would flicker when I switched the turn signals. Then I turned my highbeams on and the car started cutting off power, to the point where the ESP and ASR were switched off, as the video below shows. After that, the car drove fine once again. Tomorrow I’ll plug in a dehumidifier inside the car and check the main earth strap to see if I find anything.Video

 

[Piccolo Nero e Bella]

How old is your battery?

 

[Bach1]

How old is your battery?

The battery is around 5 years old. I tested the battery with the car off, while starting it and with the car on and the voltages never drop from 11 volts. I’m trying to get a borrowed battery to test in the 500 but it appears to be nearly impossible

 

[Jockstrap]

The battery is around 5 years old. I tested the battery with the car off, while starting it and with the car on and the voltages never drop from 11 volts. I’m trying to get another battery to test in the 500 but it appears to be nearly impossible

11v is too low . Get a new battery.
My 500 battery has just been sitting in a cold garage for 3 months at 12.3v .

 

[Jockstrap]

Before then check it's charging properly .

 

[Bach1]

Before then check it's charging properly .

I just rechecked the battery and I get 12.6V with the car off, around 11V while cranking and around 13V with the car on, so I’m assuming the battery is changing properly. I’ll start disassembling the battery tray to check the main earth strap to see if I find something else

 

[Jockstrap]

I just rechecked the battery and I get 12.6V with the car off, around 11V while cranking and around 13V with the car on, so I’m assuming the battery is changing properly. I’ll start disassembling the battery tray to check the main earth strap to see if I find something else

The stud for the earth is through the transmission cover and threads into the transmission body. Dual nuts on top to secure the strap. I took a photo cos of snapped slave cylinder bolts.

The nuts totally seized and I replaced the stud minus strap end. Previously an additional earth had been bolted to the transmission housing. Next to gear selector.

 

[Bach1]

The stud for the earth is through the transmission cover and threads into the transmission body. Dual nuts on top to secure the strap. I took a photo cos of snapped slave cylinder bolts.View attachment 461559
The nuts totally seized and I replaced the stud minus strap end. Previously an additional earth had been bolted to the transmission housing. Next to gear selector.View attachment 461560

I just finished checking the main earth strap and totally forgot to take pictures. This is how the strap looks now

Previously the strap was black, covered in oil gum. I cleaned it with a wire brush and cleaned the points of contact (surface area, bolts, etc). I will take the car for a drive now and see how it behaves. Thank you for the help!

 

[the green vanper]

Alternator charging voltage with no extra receivers switched on should be around 14,2 - 14,4 V.

The only reliable test of battery health is the load tester.

The strap looks OK nice job

 

[The Panda Nut]

I just finished checking the main earth strap and totally forgot to take pictures. This is how the strap looks nowView attachment 461566

Previously the strap was black, covered in oil gum. I cleaned it with a wire brush and cleaned the points of contact (surface area, bolts, etc). I will take the car for a drive now and see how it behaves. Thank you for the help!

Thats in very good order. Great job of cleaning. You should offer a service on here!