Electrical Issues & Waterleak

Hi - I'm a new GTA (1988 Atmo) owner - 12 days and counting!! I've waited 18 years to own one and I'm not disappointed !! Mechanically all is fine - excellent engine, gearbox, steering, brakes etc.... Lots of power, drives beautifully, looks like nothing else on the road - fantastic car !! Much more refined that the couple of Lotus's I've owned (Eclat / Excel). Nearly 500 miles in 12 days - used everyday - big grin everyday !!

The electrics don't seem quite so good though - and I am worried that the problems I am having are due to water leaking into the car somewhere behind the dashboard.

Are there any known places where the cars leak? Any hints and tips on the best way of finding where water's getting in? I actually had drips off of the trim panel under the steering wheel yesterday and the carpet is rather damp.

Since I've had the car the oil level guage has stopped working, the fuel flow sensor has stopped (I assume this is the case - computer display flashing - no mpg etc... but can still do average mph so assume the speedo' connection's OK), the electric door releases have failed (after yesterdays big storms - worked 2hrs before), and the windscreen wipers intermittent wipe and park failed (wipers stop anywhere on the screen).

I'm hoping that there's some common wiring, plug/socket, earth etc... that have caused all of these but without a wiring diagram (waiting for a response from admin so I can buy one) I'm not sure where to start.

I'd like to get this sorted as soon as possible to avoid any long term damage and problems. Any help would be much appreciated - thanks !!

Simon.

Hi David

Did you check that when in the storms the bonnet was not ajar?

The whole bulkhead is a sealed unit. The only holes that go through are for the fan blower and the steering column, but the latter is sealed off..

You can see what I mean in this pic..



The heater unit and matrix sits in the centre of the bulkhead (not shown this pic), and you could get water in the car if the heater matrix was leaking, but you wouldnt get drips from the undertray under the steering wheel, as its higher than the matrix.... There is a large 8" hole that the blower unit in the bonnet scuttle area blows through(in the pic above a thick wiring loom is coming down from it). If water gets in this area, it could (a) get sucked through the blower or get in around the edge, and then leak along inside the dashboard and come out where you have had the drips. Also in the centre of the dash, behind the stereo are all the relays for the central locking etc..these may be wet too..

Check the fuse box for blown fuses. The fuse for parking the wipers is in here too, but also check the connector on the wiper linkage/motor is dry too..

[Alpineandy]

I think David ment to say

No 1 Check the earths.

etc etc.picture etc etc...

Thanks David - good news - this should be pretty easily sorted.

The bonnet was definitely locked down but I did see some water around the fan blower so that's got to be the first place to look - both stopping water getting through the bulkhead as well as into the bonnet scuttle area in the first place.

The r.h door electric release has started working again but the l.h one is still inop'.

No noticeable loss of coolant so I don't think it's the heater matrix. Out of interest, what's the likelyhood of a dodgy seal around the steering column or windscreen?

I haven't found the wiper motor yet - where's the best place to get access?

Thanks again.

Hi - I spent Saturday trying to sort this out. Copious amounts of silicon sealant now means no water getting into the scuttle area under the bonnet - absolutely bone dry despite the heavy rains of the last couple of days.

Unfortunately - she's still getting wet inside.

Next step I think is to tape tissue paper/loo roll around the inside of the door seals and let loose with the hose pipe - make sure the door seal's good.

Any more ideas where the water could be getting in ? Thanks.

Cheers.

Simon.

Hose pipe, is a must.
Check front window seal.
Hope you find your leak quick.
Or B refrain from driving in the wet and garage, or cover.
AutoGlass resealed my front window at great expense to the garage.
And its bonded in.
Hope this helps.

Thanks Miles - the front screen was one of the jobs I did last weekend. Along the underside one side was filled (the right hand side) but the other side was not - well not completely. There didn't appear to be a way for water to get in but I filled the gap all the same.

I found that the outer windscreen trim screw bobbin on the drivers side was broken. The inner two screws go into capture nuts (sorry - not sure if my terminology is right here) under the bonnet. The outer one seems to go into a bobbin set in fibreglass in the upper drivers side corner of the inside of the car. This was broken leaving what looked like a hole straight into the inside of the car. I had really hoped that this was the problem - it ruined my day when I found the carpet was wet again this morning ! Not as damp as it has been and no drips from the tray under the dash - so maybe there's more than one way for the water to get in.

She's bone dry under the bonnet but wet inside - I'd rather it was the other way around

I can't use the garage - aleady occupied. My GTA was to be my daily drive but this may not be the case now - a good quality cover may be an option until I can get my car port built.

Thanks again.

Simon.

Miles - getting the screen professionally resealed is something I'd consider. How much did it cost you and was it obvious that water was leaking in through the screen ?

Cheers.

Simon.

It was evident once I removed the plastic surrounds.
As for the cost im not sure, but the renault dealer I bought the car of was not to happy.
At first he smeared sealent all over the outer seal, which I pointed out to him was mainly just for cosmetic purposes. Plus it was a complete mess and not acceptable. He finaly gave way and bit the bullet, Auto glass did the job. It looks great and I have had no leaks since.
As for the cost sorry I have no idea.
At the same time I had him change both clutch cylinders and the fuel gauge sender unit. Which he ended up sending to me, as the delay was 6 weeks. Still have not fitted this soldered the original back together.

Have spoken to Autoglass in Bedford today. Very very friendly and helpful chap!

It looks like it'll cost around £100 to get the screen removed and resealed - which isn't too bad. There is a "but" though.....

There is some delamination in the lower r.h. corner of the screen. This may break when the screen is removed. The cost of a new screen from them is around £210. Not sure if obtaining the trim will be a problem. The one Renault dealer I spoke to today basically told me I've got no chance of getting hold of anything from them for the car

So a little over £320 for a new screen fitted (worst case). For the kind of car it is this doesn't seem to terrible to me. Anyone think it's OTT? Can anyone help with sourcing the trim please?

(Can't complain if this is the only big bill I get on a "new" 18 year old car. Could be much much worse........ )

Are you not fully comp £50 excess no loss of NCD if it has a crack or chip I had mine done about a year ago ,they used a different stock trim .

Yep - fully comp' insurance. Autoglass suggested contacting the insurance company as well. To be honest, I'd assumed they wouldn't even think about paying out - assumed they'd consider it wear and tear.

As it happens there are a couple of chips in the screen - they'd been previously filled and I had them re-done a couple of weeks ago - but one is within my vision when driving which could qualify for replacement.

I'm definitely going to speak to them as it seems I may have a valid claim.

[stephendell]

You should be able to get it done just for the excess.

Do not re-fit an old screen with delamination.

The trim is available from Renault. Order it now while you are making up your mind what to do. The windscreen fitter will not have it.

Advice taken. Insurance co contacted and I won't have the old screen refitted regardless.

Cheers all.

SS