Supernatural?

Howie666 · 25th February 2023, 19:38

So, my Raptor is haunted (she isn't really.)

But she's behaving a bit oddly (possessed?) On the motorway to Blackpool the other day, going at 70, something decidedly odd...
It felt like I had dabbed the brakes, the warning lights on the dashboard flashed on and off, then the ipk went completely dead (ignition off) while my window opened itself.
Then, within a second or so (but long enough for an acute anxiety attack to start), back to life as if nothing had occurred. Half a mile or so further on, same thing except this time my window stayed up.
I eased off the accelerator and completed the journey without further incident.
My journey home was also blessedly uneventful.
So my question is; what was it? Is the Raptor possessed by a grumpy spirit? A gremlin?
Lovely chap called Liam suspected the BCU, or a bad earth, or the ECU being wet. Before I left Blackpool, I checked the plenum..dry as a bone. Some debris in the bottom of the hole but no indication of water fouling.
Occult explanations aside, what do you folks think?
As always, any opinions, advice, greatly appreciated.

While I'm here, I had a thought. Is it possible to tag another member into a post (à la social media?) We have all posted at times knowing that at least one other member is an expert in the problem we're describing... As I said, just a random thought...

Howie666 · 25th February 2023, 22:11

Hello there,

I'd really appreciate some input with my perplexing issue.
Anything you can contribute will be very much appreciated!

🙂

Lee T · 26th February 2023, 00:36

I would be checking the battery connections first. The braking effect you describe could be the result of engine braking due to power loss, which would explain IPK failure also. Not sure why your window dropped, but sounds like an electrical issue and as it righted itself, possibly something lose. If battery connections are secure and clean, check fuses and relays in both cabin and under bonnet fuse boxes.

Lee.

Howie666 · 26th February 2023, 08:45

Thank you Lee, I will do as you suggest and check the connections. It's frustrating because of the number of parts involved and trying to isolate the cause!
Still, I'm fond of puzzles...

Costa Fortuna · 26th February 2023, 14:57

Low voltage can cause all sorts of electronic maladies.

cbr1100xx · 26th February 2023, 15:50

I would suspect water somewhere,my old mg threw a wobbly with various faults and that was due to water in the boot affecting the parking ECU and as if fate doesn't kick you enough the vw had a blocked drain near the tailgate and funnily enough (NOT) corroded the connector for the parking ECU and that chucked up some serious faults that were all fake including transmission faults, central locking,lights inside and out, windows wouldn't work, alarm triggering as you were driving and some others.
I would definitely be checking a few plugs for corrosion

Stan

bl52krz · 26th February 2023, 22:05

Just on the off chance, check where the wiring passes over the nearside chassis behind the headlights.

R75800sd1 · 27th February 2023, 12:11

Yes, I had one go there many years ago. A high mileage silver diesel tourer.
Came back from Manchester over Snake at the dead of night one Friday couldn`t work out why other cars kept flashing as all the lights were all on. In the cold light of day it was clear that there had been a pyrotechnic display of some kind behind the grille, so Saturday morning was spent with the soldering iron, cable, side cuts and heat shrink. Fortunately no lasting damage but it`s always something I check when the bumper is off and add extra protection. RIP YT52 BDZ

Howie666 · 28th February 2023, 11:50

I just wanted to say thank you for all of your helpful suggestions. It's a pleasure and a frustration in almost equal parts owning a modern classic like the ZT.
She's a great car with more personality quirks than Kenny Everett!

Howie666 · 4th March 2023, 17:57

So I went to Grange again today and she went and did it again. 🙁
I've checked the battery connections and the negative lead is loose, by which I mean it feels tight but if I twist it it comes free. The nut on the clamp has been overtightened as described in a how-to by Arctic. I'm wrestling with the nightmare that is the difficulty of loosening it so I can clamp it to the terminal properly 😖
I'm just not strong enough even with the right size spanner!
So... If anyone has any advice as to how to loosen it I'm absolutely all ears.
Additionally, could this looseness be the cause of the death of my IPK and engine braking while underway?
Lastly, would TOAF be able to identify where the earth fault is (if it isn't the battery connection?)
As usual, any and all advice gratefully received 🙏

25th February 2023, 19:38	#1
Howie666 I really should get out more....... MG ZT 190+, Trophy Blue Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Preston Posts: 2,067 Thanks: 1,401 Thanked 309 Times in 195 Posts	Supernatural? So, my Raptor is haunted (she isn't really.) But she's behaving a bit oddly (possessed?) On the motorway to Blackpool the other day, going at 70, something decidedly odd... It felt like I had dabbed the brakes, the warning lights on the dashboard flashed on and off, then the ipk went completely dead (ignition off) while my window opened itself. Then, within a second or so (but long enough for an acute anxiety attack to start), back to life as if nothing had occurred. Half a mile or so further on, same thing except this time my window stayed up. I eased off the accelerator and completed the journey without further incident. My journey home was also blessedly uneventful. So my question is; what was it? Is the Raptor possessed by a grumpy spirit? A gremlin? Lovely chap called Liam suspected the BCU, or a bad earth, or the ECU being wet. Before I left Blackpool, I checked the plenum..dry as a bone. Some debris in the bottom of the hole but no indication of water fouling. Occult explanations aside, what do you folks think? As always, any opinions, advice, greatly appreciated. While I'm here, I had a thought. Is it possible to tag another member into a post (à la social media?) We have all posted at times knowing that at least one other member is an expert in the problem we're describing... As I said, just a random thought... __________________ Commission Number 352 To do list: 1. Reversing sensors 1a. Headlights polished - DONE! (Magic Mike ) 2. Auto dip rear view mirror 3. Seats replaced - DONE! (thank you Mischief) 7. Bodywork repainted 8. Inlet manifold changed for a working one - DONE! (Magic Mike )

25th February 2023, 22:11	#2
Howie666 I really should get out more....... MG ZT 190+, Trophy Blue Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Preston Posts: 2,067 Thanks: 1,401 Thanked 309 Times in 195 Posts	Input Hello there, I'd really appreciate some input with my perplexing issue. Anything you can contribute will be very much appreciated! 🙂 __________________ Commission Number 352 To do list: 1. Reversing sensors 1a. Headlights polished - DONE! (Magic Mike ) 2. Auto dip rear view mirror 3. Seats replaced - DONE! (thank you Mischief) 7. Bodywork repainted 8. Inlet manifold changed for a working one - DONE! (Magic Mike )

26th February 2023, 00:36	#3
Lee T Gets stuck in MG ZT Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Liverpool Posts: 871 Thanks: 180 Thanked 248 Times in 189 Posts	I would be checking the battery connections first. The braking effect you describe could be the result of engine braking due to power loss, which would explain IPK failure also. Not sure why your window dropped, but sounds like an electrical issue and as it righted itself, possibly something lose. If battery connections are secure and clean, check fuses and relays in both cabin and under bonnet fuse boxes. Lee. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

26th February 2023, 08:45	#4
Howie666 I really should get out more....... MG ZT 190+, Trophy Blue Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Preston Posts: 2,067 Thanks: 1,401 Thanked 309 Times in 195 Posts	Thank you Lee, I will do as you suggest and check the connections. It's frustrating because of the number of parts involved and trying to isolate the cause! Still, I'm fond of puzzles... __________________ Commission Number 352 To do list: 1. Reversing sensors 1a. Headlights polished - DONE! (Magic Mike ) 2. Auto dip rear view mirror 3. Seats replaced - DONE! (thank you Mischief) 7. Bodywork repainted 8. Inlet manifold changed for a working one - DONE! (Magic Mike )

26th February 2023, 15:50	#6
cbr1100xx Gets stuck in VW touareg Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: dunsop bridge Posts: 870 Thanks: 225 Thanked 414 Times in 235 Posts	I would suspect water somewhere,my old mg threw a wobbly with various faults and that was due to water in the boot affecting the parking ECU and as if fate doesn't kick you enough the vw had a blocked drain near the tailgate and funnily enough (NOT) corroded the connector for the parking ECU and that chucked up some serious faults that were all fake including transmission faults, central locking,lights inside and out, windows wouldn't work, alarm triggering as you were driving and some others. I would definitely be checking a few plugs for corrosion Stan __________________ WE WERE BOTH BORN ON THE 4th of JULY CAR DIED 15/11/2022---I'M STILL GOING (JUST)

26th February 2023, 14:57	#5
Costa Fortuna Avid contributor Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: POOLE Posts: 132 Thanks: 24 Thanked 44 Times in 27 Posts	Low voltage can cause all sorts of electronic maladies.

26th February 2023, 22:05	#7
bl52krz This is my second home Rover 75 cdt club + Rover 2.5 KV6 Conni SE Join Date: May 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 11,433 Thanks: 6,587 Thanked 2,262 Times in 1,729 Posts	Just on the off chance, check where the wiring passes over the nearside chassis behind the headlights. __________________ Great Barr, Birmingham.

27th February 2023, 12:11	#8
R75800sd1 Avid contributor Rover 75s; 2 Diesel Tourers, 1 diesel saloon, Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Chesterfield Posts: 137 Thanks: 47 Thanked 48 Times in 32 Posts	Yes, I had one go there many years ago. A high mileage silver diesel tourer. Came back from Manchester over Snake at the dead of night one Friday couldn`t work out why other cars kept flashing as all the lights were all on. In the cold light of day it was clear that there had been a pyrotechnic display of some kind behind the grille, so Saturday morning was spent with the soldering iron, cable, side cuts and heat shrink. Fortunately no lasting damage but it`s always something I check when the bumper is off and add extra protection. RIP YT52 BDZ

28th February 2023, 11:50	#9
Howie666 I really should get out more....... MG ZT 190+, Trophy Blue Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Preston Posts: 2,067 Thanks: 1,401 Thanked 309 Times in 195 Posts	Appreciated I just wanted to say thank you for all of your helpful suggestions. It's a pleasure and a frustration in almost equal parts owning a modern classic like the ZT. She's a great car with more personality quirks than Kenny Everett! __________________ Commission Number 352 To do list: 1. Reversing sensors 1a. Headlights polished - DONE! (Magic Mike ) 2. Auto dip rear view mirror 3. Seats replaced - DONE! (thank you Mischief) 7. Bodywork repainted 8. Inlet manifold changed for a working one - DONE! (Magic Mike )

4th March 2023, 17:57	#10
Howie666 I really should get out more....... MG ZT 190+, Trophy Blue Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Preston Posts: 2,067 Thanks: 1,401 Thanked 309 Times in 195 Posts	Still haunted 😔 So I went to Grange again today and she went and did it again. 🙁 I've checked the battery connections and the negative lead is loose, by which I mean it feels tight but if I twist it it comes free. The nut on the clamp has been overtightened as described in a how-to by Arctic. I'm wrestling with the nightmare that is the difficulty of loosening it so I can clamp it to the terminal properly 😖 I'm just not strong enough even with the right size spanner! So... If anyone has any advice as to how to loosen it I'm absolutely all ears. Additionally, could this looseness be the cause of the death of my IPK and engine braking while underway? Lastly, would TOAF be able to identify where the earth fault is (if it isn't the battery connection?) As usual, any and all advice gratefully received 🙏 __________________ Commission Number 352 To do list: 1. Reversing sensors 1a. Headlights polished - DONE! (Magic Mike ) 2. Auto dip rear view mirror 3. Seats replaced - DONE! (thank you Mischief) 7. Bodywork repainted 8. Inlet manifold changed for a working one - DONE! (Magic Mike )