[compact101]

I've owned my 2008 320d Sport Touring for nearly a year and have had consistent electrical issues/niggles.

Short History, After buying it there have been warning signs on the dash regarding lights, with the light not working, occasionally.
I replace the bulbs, which resolved it, though the occasional aspect of it doesn't help in fault finding.

A second time a mechanic hooked the car up to tablet, ran diagnostics and cleared some faults as there seemed to be nothing wrong

Up to Date 1
The car has been ok, then the other morning, the Air Con control panel died. No lights, nothing.
I took it out to check the connections - Everything seemed OK

I've had a look at the fuse box and it looks like there is some white residue on and around the fuses 6,7,8,9, which look like to be the Air Con panel.
I've taken the out, cleaned them up a little, the fuse seems to be intact.

Up to Date 2
At 17:00 went for a drive, the air con panel still not working, the electric mirror motors not working.
A new one, the indicators were flashing rapid and the rear light bulbs were not working (though this has happened months ago)

At 21:00, drive, the indicators were working fine and the right mirror motor is working.

HELP
Has anyone any ideas where it could be?
I am thinking
1) The onboard computer
2) The fuse board
3) Some wiring connector??

Here are some photos

[compact101]

Fuses with white residue
E90 Fuses, White Residue by Stuart Wildman, on Flickr

Fuseboard, note the white residue on those in top left corner.
All of these seem to be related to the Air Con.
I wonder if this is the problem

E90 Fusebox by Stuart Wildman, on Flickr

[ctuna]

Do you have a leak over the fuse board?
In the US there was a recall for the power connector
to the fuse board, though the symptoms where usually loss
of all power. No 320 D models in the US though
I imagine the electrics would be very close to any other
e90 model .

[compact101]

Hi
I'm going to pull it apart this weekend and have a proper look.
I took it into a garage and they cleaned up the Fusebox, so that could be it.
But since then, there has been some bad rain, it's leaked but no lack of electrics.


I don't think this much rain could come via the power connector.
It's like a waterfall.
So I am guessing it is running off the windscreen (or that plastic cowl) missing any guttering (or it's full) and pouring straight in.
I plan to take things apart methodically and use a watering can/ hose pipe to get to the source

[matteblue3er]

The windshield cowl cover is a common culprit for that leak.

I would have that leak sorted first then move on to sorting the fuse panel and JBE boxes. They may need to be replaced.

[compact101]

I was thinking it must be the windshield cowl, however I'm unsure what it does, how it can fail and how we can resolve it (apart from buying a new one).

To be it seems that:
The cowl captures and diverts a large amount of rainwater into internal gutters.
However they don't stop all of the water.
Some runs down the windscreen and this also runs into the gutters.

Is this correct?

I haven't seen any photos of the cowls pointing out where the problem lies.
Some people have pointed out that there is something that is attached to the bottom of the windscreen.

I suppose I'll find out more when I take it off..

[matteblue3er]

Originally Posted by compact101

I was thinking it must be the windshield cowl, however I'm unsure what it does, how it can fail and how we can resolve it (apart from buying a new one).

To be it seems that:
The cowl captures and diverts a large amount of rainwater into internal gutters.
However they don't stop all of the water.
Some runs down the windscreen and this also runs into the gutters.

Is this correct?

I haven't seen any photos of the cowls pointing out where the problem lies.
Some people have pointed out that there is something that is attached to the bottom of the windscreen.

I suppose I'll find out more when I take it off..

There is a small lip that is suppose to be installed on the bottom edge of the windshield glass. This lip often detaches from the glass or the cowl cover is not snapped back into the lip correctly, preventing a proper seal to the glass.

That seal allows the cowl cover to divert water away from the glass edge, preventing water from dripping into the AC blower motor cage and into the cabin.

Check to see if the lip is installed. Most windshield companies do not replace this lip and try to silicone the cowl to the glass.

The lip may also be stuck to the bottom of the windshield cowl still and just come loose from the glass. If this is the case, clean the glass edge, clean the channel inside the lip, and reinstall. You can use some silicone inside the channel to keep it in place better. Just a thin bead though. Its already a tight fit and you just want the silicone to prevent the lip from rattling loose over time, not keep it located.

[compact101]

Thanks for the replies.
I checked the lip/cowl and pushed it firmly on.
Lots of rain, result, no wet carpet.

2nd leak from the door, via the internal panel coming loose (I am guessing).
Bit of electrical tape where the glass meets the door.
Lots more rain, result, no wet carpet.

So have to fix that this weekend. Thanks

[compact101]

Well after 2 months of driving around with tape on the window, I forgot and wound the window down.
A few days later, rain and electrics problems.
Two questions

1) Where can I get a new vapour barrier? Can any recommend a good place Manchester, UK?


2) The indicator lights at the front stopped working for a day (guess whilst the water dried out).
Is there any wiring near the foot well, that the explain this?
(I am so hoping the fixing the passenger door vapour barrier fixing everything)

Thanks