P38A High beam issue

[cornishboater]

Hello all, I think my rangie has it in for me! I have posted this on another site so I thought I would also try LZ. I will cut and paste the relevant conversation I have been posting if that is ok.
Post 1)
After finally getting the EAS sorted a while back and rebuilding the sunroof and various other small issues, it has kicked me in the cobblers again. I just went out to the shops this morning and when I returned the high beams were on. It doesn't matter what I do with the light switch or flasher stalk they just stay on. If I turn the lights on all lights work including the low beam and indicators, there are no faults registered on the dash nor the high beam warning light. Also at the same time when I went to lower the suspension to access level nothing happened, if I switch to manual mode it will drop/rise to all levels with the exception of access. No faults registered on the EAS either. I did use the flasher while driving this morning but I am not sure if this triggered it. I have used the flasher before regularly with no issues and even after many waggles with the stalk the high beam stays on. As soon as I turn off the ignition the lights go off but as soon as I turn the key on they come straight on. Any ideas what may be the issue here. I have searched but haven't found any posts similar to this.

Post 2)
I am digging away at the moment and although I mentioned previously that the high beam warning wasn't coming on, it is actually working when I pull the flasher, with the lights turned on the only lights lit are the outers even when trying to go to high beam. Also upon further investigation only the outer of the front lights are working when either off or on. The lights come on as soon as the ignition is turned on not when in accessory position.

Post 3)
Right, I have pulled her apart to look for obvious items, the stalk is no the problem, I disconnected it and all remains the same
However.............
Now that I have been searching for the one issue it appears there is something more sinister afoot. A list of issues that have also occurred:
1) Obviously the lighting problem (High Beam)
2) Can no longer double lock
3) Cannot use wash wipe and intermittent wipe but the main wiper function is fine except when cancelling them they just stop where they are and do not park themselves
4) Rear wiper does not work
5) Low beam doesn't come on although the rest of the lights work
6) EAS only cycles in manual mode but will not go to access

Windows and sunroof work fine as does HVAC

I pulled out the fuse box under the bonnet but could physically see anything untoward

I am sure as I poodle around something else will show up but I think you get the picture, something is wrong.......

(again)

 

[Wazzajnr]

Are you sure it's the main beam on? You can set the dipped headlights to daytime running mode.
That said, with all your other issues, I'd be thinking this is BECM related. Check all the connections and fuses at the BECM.
Do you have nanocom?
What year/engine is it?

 

[Wazzajnr]

By the way, if it's a thor petrol and you don't have diag, I'll be in Poole tomorrow afternoon/evening. I won't have much time to play with it but I can certainly check if there's any faults showing if you can come and meet me.

 

[cornishboater]

Are you sure it's the main beam on? You can set the dipped headlights to daytime running mode.
That said, with all your other issues, I'd be thinking this is BECM related. Check all the connections and fuses at the BECM.
Do you have nanocom?
What year/engine is it?

I don't have a Nano unfortunately, it is a P38 97 4.6 HSE GEMS

 

[cornishboater]

By the way, if it's a thor petrol and you don't have diag, I'll be in Poole tomorrow afternoon/evening. I won't have much time to play with it but I can certainly check if there's any faults showing if you can come and meet me.

That is very kind of you, where abouts will you be in Poole just in case? The lights that are on are the outers, they don't change with flash dip or high beam functions. \there are no faults coming up on the dashboard display, but then I guess that may be kaput too

 

[Mark Piercy]

I think you got a spider with wet feet in becm?? How dry us your carpet in the drivers foot well? Any coolant loss?

 

[Wazzajnr]

Right, mine's a thor nanocom so not sure if it will work with yours unfortunately.
Dash display will only show certain faults so it doesn't necessarily mean your dash is at fault.
The outers are the dipped beam and the inners are high beam so it could just be that they're set up for daytime running lights. That however doesn't explain your other issues.
Really does sound like the BECM is getting spurious signals and commanding stuff on and off that it shouldn't.
I'll be branksome/Westbourne way so if you want to plug it in and see if it will read it I can do. Doubtful it will work on yours though as yours is gems

 

[Ruby Range]

excuse my ignorance but how do you set the lights up for daytime running??? just thought it was a case of turning the lights on

 

[cornishboater]

Right, mine's a thor nanocom so not sure if it will work with yours unfortunately.
Dash display will only show certain faults so it doesn't necessarily mean your dash is at fault.
The outers are the dipped beam and the inners are high beam so it could just be that they're set up for daytime running lights. That however doesn't explain your other issues.
Really does sound like the BECM is getting spurious signals and commanding stuff on and off that it shouldn't.
I'll be branksome/Westbourne way so if you want to plug it in and see if it will read it I can do. Doubtful it will work on yours though as yours is gems

Blimey, just around the corner I live in the village hall at Canford Cliiffs, any chance of meeting there? Again, a very kind offer and thank you how much do you want to have a peek?
Cheers
Chris

 

[cornishboater]

I think you got a spider with wet feet in becm?? How dry us your carpet in the drivers foot well? Any coolant loss?

Unfortunately as dry as a bone so not an obvious issue.
Thanks
Chris

 

[pwood999]

Check the BECM ground points.

 

[Wazzajnr]

excuse my ignorance but how do you set the lights up for daytime running??? just thought it was a case of turning the lights on

In nanocom you can set headlights to be on all the time. Dash illumination doesn't come on, just headlights. I only found it as it's compulsory to use headlights in Czech during the day and I got sick of forgetting!

 

[Wazzajnr]

Blimey, just around the corner I live in the village hall at Canford Cliiffs, any chance of meeting there? Again, a very kind offer and thank you how much do you want to have a peek?
Cheers
Chris

I could bob in on my way late afternoon/early evening.
I wouldn't mind trying it because it'd be good to know if it's just the engine ecu I can't read or whether it locks me out of everything. I won't have much time and I don't know what time! I'll be driving from Belgium!

 

[Grrrrrr]

I could bob in on my way late afternoon/early evening.
I wouldn't mind trying it because it'd be good to know if it's just the engine ecu I can't read or whether it locks me out of everything. I won't have much time and I don't know what time! I'll be driving from Belgium!

Should read everything but the engine and possibly WABCO as yours is probably WABCO D.

I am thinking download RAVE. Make sure the wipers for the headlights are parked and check the connectors at the BECM for corrosion. Need @Rick-the-Pick or @martyuk !

 

[Wazzajnr]

Should read everything but the engine and possibly WABCO as yours is probably WABCO D.

I am thinking download RAVE. Make sure the wipers for the headlights are parked and check the connectors at the BECM for corrosion. Need @Rick-the-Pick or @martyuk !

I guess I would still have to select thor at startup but it just won't talk to the engine ecu.
No idea what wabco is, I've seen it on nanocom but never had time to look!

 

[brianp38dse]

Wabco is you ABS ecu and wabco D is the late four wheel traction control one

 

[cornishboater]

Here is an interesting addition, nothing else has been found apart from the above issues except one thing, for some reason the air con has starting working. Went out shopping this morning and nearly froze, it hasn't worked like this since I had it, whether it is a pure coincidence or tied to the issue in hand I don't know. The compressor has always worked as has the clutch etc, it has always been cool but definitely not like it is now as in real air con! Go figure

 

[Grrrrrr]

On the GEMS the aircon is tied into the BECM somehow!

 

[cornishboater]

I didn't think it was but I was just thinking that maybe while I was messing with the fuse box there was a contact issue and it got resolved! I have also now got the rear doors to add to the list, I have noticed that they don't lock and I have to lock them manually, the front ones are ok. Also the key fob will only work in close proximity to the front door, this list gets longer......
The funny thing is that she is running smoother

 

[Grrrrrr]

I didn't think it was but I was just thinking that maybe while I was messing with the fuse box there was a contact issue and it got resolved! I have also now got the rear doors to add to the list, I have noticed that they don't lock and I have to lock them manually, the front ones are ok. Also the key fob will only work in close proximity to the front door, this list gets longer......
The funny thing is that she is running smoother

Pretty certain there is something different about the air-conditioning on the GEMS with regards to the BECM. Got a feeling the grant high/low signal might be from the BECM. @wammers will probably know.

Doors: proximity could be the RF receiver is unplugged to try to reduce stray signals burning out the lock actuators which is what might have happened to the rears. I'd check connector plugs first though as usually the fronts get fried first.