serious problem

[tyler_565]

hi all

having a very big yet strange problem with my 03 megane 1.4 exterme. it keeps chugging and all the dash and headlights keep flashing, like every second they go bright den normal again. i think it might e starving it self off fuel. toke spark plugs out and dey wear a bit brown. so going to pit new plugs in her, also gonna pit some cataclean in her just in cause the lamba sensor is abit bloked or the cat.

any ideas for me?

thanks
tyler_565

[Toodeep]

Is the cover for the headlight bulb access hole present in the front wheel arches? If missing, road water gets through to an electronic module causing all kinds of chaotic responses.

[tyler_565]

yes it is on the passanger side.
what should i do now??
this sounds like its going to be expense and hard to dieagonis.

[tyler_565]

hi

was out looking around the hole in the wheel arch and discovered the there was water all round my angel eyes in round the headlight builb. so dried it all off with a hair dyer. started car lift it running for an hour to see if it would sort itself out. whislt i done some research. i have now figgered out that i need a new engine fuse box. so if anyone has or can find a cheap one let me know please.

thanks

thank you toodeep!!

[Toodeep]

I wasn't clear if you found the cover in place or missing. As you've discovered, the hole needs to be properly covered to prevent BIG problems if it's not too late.

It's a common problem and you'll probably find on here some members who have managed to dry electronic components out but I think there are strict guidelines as to temperatures and how long you should take over it for it to work without causing irreparable damage. No doubt the success rate is less than 100% anyway but it could be worth a try. Failing this, I have found https://www.partsgateway.co.uk to be very useful for getting parts. Once you register yourself and your car (free) they poll parts specialists and breakers around the UK for a suitable part. You'll get emailed responses within hours (weekdays) and I had the parts I wanted (used wiper motor and door trim) delivered to my door in less than 24 hours (credit to JustRenaults in the West Midlands). Once you've selected a supplier, I would talk to them directly with your quote reference number to make sure you are both discussing the same part.

On another occasion, https://www.partsgateway.co.uk directed me to a Vauxhall specialist who supplied a new, boxed electric/heated door mirror for a friend's Corsa for £35. It was a pattern part but indistinguishable from an original for which Vauxhall wanted £170. It just took a drive from south London to Romford to collect it the same afternoon.

Others swear by eBay which might be worth a shot.

[chris2008]

yea ive hurd about these guys they are based in walsall (west midlands) only 10 mins away from me aint used them yet tho but i have got a few quotes off them and they seem cheap

[pumpkin7]

i found the backs of my headlights (the circle things) and those wheel arch covers in my boot. aparently, they have been in there for the past 2 years. touch wood, everything works ok... but whoever didn't put them back needs a whooping.

[tallpaul]

if you have got water coming in on the passenger side that is an extremely dodgy situation to be in. The UPC (fusebox) is located there. My megane was missing the access cover when I bought it, I didn't realise and it cost me a UPC then ultimately an ECU as well. Both parts had to be supplied/fitted/coded by main stealer. You need to get rid of your lights if they are leaking that badly and try and dry that area out pronto!!

[tallpaul]

just reading your third post, I bought a replacement UPC from Renault Kettering as it looked a fairly easy swap. After I swapped them over I was getting 'Electronic Faliure' on the dash and the car was dead. I put the old one back in and it made no difference. The car had to be trailered to Renault Peterborough for them to fix. The UPC needs coding to the car apparently (thanks Renault PB/Kettering for telling me before!!!!).