[Kim]

This one really stumps me. Before last week, occasionally, when the hood was opened the accessories in the car would turn on. For example, if the interior fan was on "2", when the key was off (and out) the fan would turn on as soon as the hood was opened. Close the hood and the fan shuts off. Obviously not right but also not a big problem because the hood really wasn't opened all that much. Last week I pulled the hood latch from inside the car to check the oil (but didn't actually lift the hood because I got called out before I checked anything) and forgot about it and then drove about 5 km with the hood held down only by the secondary clip (ie the one that you open manually after you pull the handle in the car). Now the opposite is occurring - the accessories are on with the key off and out unless the hood is open! Open the hood and all is well. Close the hood and the accessories come on. Even the backup lights come on if the car is in reverse. This is now a PITA because the fans run at slow speed even in the "0" position and the battery will drain. (unless, of course, I open the hood). I tried to leave the battery disconnected for a few days in the hopes that something would reset itself but to no avail. Any ideas?

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[Darth Vadar]

Under the "Vanity panel" in front of the air box (if you still have a Vanity Panel!) you will see the Hood Latch. You will note that the Latch assemby is connected to a wire that runs to a plug-in type connector secured in a clip in front of the radiator. This Wire/Switch normally activates the Under Hood Light which is right under the Crest at the front of the Hood. Does this light come on when you have the Hood open? (providing the bulb isn't burned out!) In any case, try unplugging this connector, and see what, if any effect it has on your electrical issues. Somehow, the Pressure Switch for your underhood light is acting thru a short circuit to activates your electricals... this disconnection won't cure it, but maybe you can get it to a repair shop for a better diagnosis... will be waiting to hear more on this one... I wonder if it is related to the strange Ground Point issues that these cars sometimes develop over their life??? Be a good idea to see where the ground for the hood lamp is located... time to get out the wiring diagrams!

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[Bob Kovacs]

I lean toward Darth's idea of a bad ground. Whenever you have odd electrical problems (horn beeps when you use the wipers and so forth), the probablem is almost always a bad ground somewhere. In this case, make sure the fan motor is properly grounded. If you can locate the connector for the fan motor, disconnect it and reconnect it a few times to be sure the connections are clean.



Good luck!



--Bob

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[Kim]

Thanks gentlemen - I will try to get to this tomorrow.



BTW - ever had anyone up the price on a car by $5000 AFTER you agreed to buy it at the asking price? Happened to me last week on an offer to buy a 2004 Cayenne S.

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[Darth Vadar]

Let's see... Vehicle offered for sale at Price "X"...

Buyer agrees to purchase Vehicle for Price "X"...



Yep, that is the precise definition of a legal and binding Verbal Contract, which, I would think, is as enforceable under Canadian Common Law as it is in the USA... You might want to remind the seller that all attorney fees AND court costs will be their responsibility, and you WILL own the Cayenne!!!

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[Kim]

I finally had a chance to try to deal with this. In reality, it does not seem to be related to the hood closure mechanism at all. The fans come on when the hood is about half closed and come on and off through a very narrow range of motion (maybe 2 inches up and down). I did remove the engine bay light and the associated switch but that didn't help. It seems as though there is another sensor, perhaps packaged with one of the hood struts. I couln't see any wires on anything other than those associated with the latch itself and some wires that I assume are used to heat the wiper squirt nozzles. Any other ideas?

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[Darth Vadar]

Okay, now you have really peaked my interest!



I have my factory electrical diagrams so will try and get a read on what is being affected. Now I am guessing that the hood hold down rear crash brackets are contacting a wire(s) when you move the hood...



Look carefully at what might be in the way of the rear hood brackets... wires that may have escaped from the loom, etc. If I see anything that looks like a culprit, I will drop you a note!

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[Kim]

        Darth - the culprit has been found! The wires that are attached to the hood bracket were rubbing on the metal attachment bracket and one had broken and two were rubbed through. See attached photos. Fixed temporarily today and will fix better later. Note to all - the wires were very brittle and may be indicative of other problems with 14 year old wires to follow.



Darth - thanks buddy.

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[Darth Vadar]

Hot Damn! I love it when a diagnosis comes together! ;>))



Yep...we need to be careful with the wires on our old girls... MB has the same issues if not worse! Their SL 600's have had entire engine wire looms replaced due to failure of the insulation... gets brittle and cracks/flakes off! Unbelievable for the price you pay for one of those tubs!!! And now very few shops will touch them... hugely expensive to replace the entire loom.



Speaking of odd wires... I have a red and a black wire coming out of the firewall above the driver's footwell, and going to a Bosch relay mounted to the drivers side inner fender panel (looked to be factory installation). Then a single white wire exiting from the Relay, which the PO had clipped, and absolutely NO indication as to where it went!!!

I have not been able to find it in the factory wiring diagram, so not sure if maybe it was something the PO installed and then left after removing the item? He did have a "unique" set of LED type city driving lights installed, but I didn't see this wire going to those... just no idea what it was for... if anyone has such an "animal", let me know! I guess, if I was 50 lbs lighter and double jointed, I would crawl under the dash and see where the Red/Black wires go! Well, not this year! ;>))

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[Kim]

Pretty neat. Once all the wires were reattached and separated I now have a new set of lights! On high beam the other sides of the fog lights, which I had always thought had nothing in them, now light up when the high beams are on. Very bright. Not the fog lights, which are also the daytime running lights and are also controlled by the switch. They go off when high beams are selected. Is this a regular feature, an option or something added by the PO?

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[968rz]

Good find Kim, wire problems like that can be hard to find (lots of places it could be).

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[Anchorman]

Kim, those are the "driving lights" that are now coming on with the high beams. They are standard - and make quite a difference in your high beam illumination power. You should say to them "welcome back".

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[Kim]

Anchorman - I will call them "Kotter" for now and evermore.

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[Anchorman]

Kim, I'm old enough to "get it". You also have now gained the benefit of lights that will "flash to pass" - when your headlights are off, the driving lights will flash with a pull of the turn signal lever. Try it, you'll like it.

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