ECU - Engine No Start After Washing
89peugeot02BULLETIN NO. 335
DATE: March, 1989
SUBJECT: 405 WILL NOT START AFTER GOING THROUGH AUTOMATIC CAR WASH
MODEL: ALL 405 VEHICLES UP TO VIN 506980
THIS BULLETIN SUPERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 326 DATED JANUARY, 1989, BECAUSE THE ACETIC ACID (CURING AGENT) IN THE PERMATEX RTV SILICONE MAY CAUSE SUBSEQUENT ECU FAILURE. USE ONLY THE SPECIFIC 3M NON-ACETIC ACID CURING SILICONE SHOWN IN THIS BULLETIN.
REQUIRED MATERIALS: Use only T-3 Silicone Sealer, 3M Part No. 08660 (red) or 08670 (black).
WARNING: NO SUBSTITUTIONS SHOULD BE USED
COMPLAINT:
Vehicle will not restart after going through an automatic car wash with a high volume rinse cycle. However, the vehicle may then start after a period of several hours.
REASON:
The drain holes on each side of the cowl area may be partially or fully blocked by dead leaves or other kind of debris, so that a large volume of water will not drain out fast enought.
The water level may then rise and enter the Motronic ECU, preventing the engine from restarting.
PREVENTIVE REPAIR PROCEDURE TO BE PERFORMED AT PDI OR DURING FIRST VISIT TO DEALER:
- Remove the cover over the Motronic ECU and clean out any debris from the oval-shaped drain hole.
- Make sure the passage is clear into the wheel arch by pushing back on the plastic inner fender lip from the wheel arch side.
Remove the windshield washer bottle on the right hand side of the cowl and clean out the drain hole on that side in the same manner.
- Disconnect the multi-pin connector from the ECU.
- Remove the ECU from its bracket (three (3) 10 mm hex nuts).
FIGURE 1 - REAR SIDE OF MOTRONIC ECU HOUSING:
- On the rear side of the ECU housing, apply silicone adhesive sealant to the following areas (see Fig. 1):
a. the breather hole at the bottom of the housing
b. the three (3) holes with plastic grommets
c. the two (2) lower holes with Phillips head screws
d. the seam between the "lid" and the base of the housing, all along the bottom edge and up the sides to level A-A (above the center side metal tabs); in the area by the mounting flanges sealant must be applied to the seam on the front side of the housing.
IMPORTANT: Be extra careful to cover every area described above so that the ECU housing becomes completely watertight should it become emerged in water (at any level up to A-A).
- Reinstall the ECU on its bracket in the vehicle.
- Reconnect the ECU harness.
- Reinstall the plastic cover.
REPAIR PROCEDURE WHEN CAR HAS ACTUALLY EXPERIENCED AN INABILITY TO START AFTER GOING THROUGH AN AUTOMATIC CAR WASH:
- Proceed as under preventive repair procedure, with the following additions:
a. Pry out the plastic plug from the breather hole and, with the breather hole in the lowest position, shake out any trace of water.
b. Speed up the drying process by applying heat from a hair drier to the lower part of the housing.
c. Reinstall the plastic plug when the ECU is considered totally dried.
WARRANTY INFORMATION:
Damage Code: 001200
Operation Number: 990110
Time Allowance: 0030 hours