In the middle of my dash, just above the radio, is a panel with 6 switches on it. 3 rotary for the heater and 3 push button for HRW, recirc and a/c and all of these have stopped working at exactly the same time! I can't find a blown fuse but surely they must all be connected somehow? I can't believe that 6 things would suddenly break independently and simultaniously. Anyone got any suggestions? (All this happened the day after I backflushed the blocked matrix, could it be related to that somehow?

 

Sounds like an electrical problem. You might still want to change/re-seat:

F6 - Heater blower relay - (30A)



F6 essentially supplies power to the Climate Control Module.




You may have gotten a little water into the engine compartment fuse box during the back flush?

Hope this helps....

 

No PanamaJag, its not that relay, just checked, and there is some power getting to the panel coz the rotary blower switch still works. Just none of the others on that panel ??

 

Sorry, but I think there's a bit of a mix-up in the Fuse/relay advice above!

F6, 30A in the Engine Compartment Fuse box is for the Blower Supply, but the relay is R20 in the Glove Box Fuse Panel- more or less in the middle of the panel.

The A/C Control Panel itself is powered though F75, 7.5A , F99, 10A (Unlikely to have failed as it protects many other items!) and F80, 7.5A, all in the Glove Box Fuse Panel.

 

Thanks astromorg. I located a blown 7.5 fuse in the glovebox which blew again immediately. Any idea what could be causing this?

 

Astromorg. I just read that a faulty security sounder is sometimes to blame for odd fuses blowing. What is a security sounder and where do I find it?

 

Jeramia, if the fuse is blowing immediately, then it most likely indicates that you have a power wire grounding to the body of the car. So, i would say that you will need to pull the climate control module and try putting in a new fuse at this point (module disconnected). If the fuse blows at this point, then you have a wiring issue. If the fuse does not blow, then odds are you have a failure in your climate control panel and unless you are familiar with electronics, it is probably going to be easiest to get a new module. YOu might be able to find a place that will repair your panel, but you can most likely plan on being without the panel for 2 weeks at a minimum.

Which fuse did you find blown? I can look on the diagrams and see if I can help narrow things down a little more specifically. It is a remote possibility that it is something on the same circuit but not related to the climate control that is causing the over current condition. But, unless I look at the diagrams, I won't be able to give you that info.

 

If it was F75 then you're right; in addition to the Climate Control it also protects the active security sounder located behind the front lefthand wheel arch liner. It makes loud noises when someone tries to get access to your locked car! It's a well known source of climate control failure!

Depending on the spec of your car, the active sounder is combined with the passive sounder and both are powered through the same 6 way Black connector. There are two Blue wires and one of these is the power supply from F75. Disconnect the connector and see where that gets you!

 

I don't know the number of the fuse as in my handbook its blank, but its situated just under F66, and is 7.5 if that's any help? Also, which is the left side of my car? So I can locate the security sounder?

 

F 75, 7.5A is indeed immediately under F66.

The sounder is behind the wheel arch liner on the lefthand side, viewed as you sit in the driver's seat.

 

Jeramia, if your car does not have the fold flat mirrors (ie, mirrors that fold themselves against the side of the car every time you turn it off), then that pretty much only leaves the sounder as your source for the over current draw. Granted, if the fuse blows after pulling the plug on the sounder, then you are looking at most likely a wiring problem in the dash. But, we will get there if we need to.

 

Thanks guys, mine is a fairly basic X-Type, no fold back mirrors!! I will check out the sounder as soon as it stops raining here. Last night the washer bottle warning light came on tho the bottle is full, is this connected to my other woes in any way? Or just another coincidence?

 

There's no wiring or system relationship between the sounder and the washer bottle level indicator, so it looks like an unfortunate coincidence. The washer bottle and float may just require a good clean out. The bottle is behind the righthand wheel arch liner

 

Thanks astromorg (the washer bottle light got bored and put itself out!!) I have disconnected the security sounder and the a/c panel seems to be up and running again. Can I leave it disconnected or will this cause problems?

 

Jeramia, you can leave the sounder disconnected. It is not going to hurt anything other than you not having the indicator to tell you that you are getting close to something on the front of the car.

 

Jeramia, I think you mean the security sounder, rather than the front parking aid?

No problem leaving it disconnected or nor renewing it until someone tries to break into the car. I'd at least try to get a used one for peace of mind. A judgement call for you I think!

 

Yes, I did mean security sounder, (don't need parking aids. Yet!!) Well, thanks to you guys I seem to have everything in the cabin working again, such a huge relief as I didn't have a clue where to start looking. I can't thank you enough for your time and help, (especially astromorg). Keep it up lads, definitely the most useful thing I have ever found on the internet. I have a feeling I'll be back!!