Dashboard warning lights when ignition off various messages including start-stop error and no key....

[Stoocoo]

Hi there
I'm new to this forum and already have found it to be of great help!
T30 Highline 2018 TDI 150 dsg 65k miles.
Locked van and a minute later alarm sounded - re-opened and locked - all well.
On returning to van the dashboard lights pulsing on and off - no key in ignition - If I try to use washer or rear washer then dash returns to normal.
Van starts and drives fine.
However occasionally a start-stop error warning appears then disappears.
There was one warning message that said front assist not available.
Another randomly displayed Error: Brakes Workshop
Next was Error: Start-stop
This has all happened this morning.
The van locks properly - but dash warning lights, temp and fuel gauge all pulsing - a slight pulsing pump or fan noise from under bonnet.
When switching engine on - all ok
When switching off - it tends to delay and then all dash lights go off - gauges set to zero - but seconds later - christmas tree and dancing gauges.
Quite worried it could leave me stranded somewhere!
I do realise there appears to be a randomness to my observations - I have been trying to be logical in my fault-finding - but the T6 hasn't read the rule book!
Any suggestions welcomed.
Also - is there a workshop manual for T6s?
Thanks
Stew

 

[Stoocoo]

OK, so an update from friends:
1. First suggestion is that the main vehicle battery is going home - it is the original battery.
2. Second suggestion is that it may be an ignition switch fault.
Can anyone recommend a VAG specialist near the South Lakes area please?
Can a normal VW car dealer undertake a diagnostic?
OR has anyone any suggestions for a not too expensive diagnostic reader please?
Thanks again
Stew

 

[Gordy1956]

Can recommend braithwaites garage newbiggin ,just outside penrith they know there stuff,check them out..

 

[Stoocoo]

Can recommend braithwaites garage newbiggin ,just outside penrith they know there stuff,check them out..

Wilco - thank you

 

[Nicky6]

OK, so an update from friends:
1. First suggestion is that the main vehicle battery is going home - it is the original battery.
2. Second suggestion is that it may be an ignition switch fault.
Can anyone recommend a VAG specialist near the South Lakes area please?
Can a normal VW car dealer undertake a diagnostic?
OR has anyone any suggestions for a not too expensive diagnostic reader please?
Thanks again
Stew

Hi Stew, did you get it fixed.
I have a similar issue

 

[Stoocoo]

Hi Nicky6
I tried Braithwaite's - they were really good but couldn't help me for a few weeks - and I was going on a trip with the van in three days. I ordered a new battery from battery megastore - great price better than new spec and arrived next day. Still the issue persisted. I called around various VW main dealers - not interested - they suggested it could take days and would be very expensive - basically they didn't want to know. I then tried Preston Van Centre - what a difference, Keith - was extremely helpful and talked me through a few things - then said he would recommend an autoelectrician as that would be his first call if I brought the van to him.
I called our local guy in Kendal - Steve Benson - he was fantastic - really good and took time and saved our holiday. He surmised it was a power leakage from the leisure setup to the main ignition. He advised I start by covering the solar panel - and see if that made a difference - it did. .....and then it didn't after a few minutes. I disconnected all the leisure connections to the main vehicle and the problem disappeared. The leisure side all worked - but it wasn't connected to the van side. The van behaved perfectly all through our couple of hundred mile trip and the fridge worked as well - but as the solar panel wasn't connected the leisure battery is starting to discharge - but I can charge that up from a static charger.
When I returned I contacted Steve again and we talked, Steve reckoned it was better I go to someone who was a specialist in the leisure/campervan side of things and recommended another chap. I contacted him and have booked the van in, I will let you know what happens next.
Thinking back - this all started after I stowed the owners pack with all the documents under the drivers seat. I suspect I have either a) disconnected something or b) shorted something when I was stuffing the handbook into the space - as that's where the solar panel controller, leisure battery, and various other connectors and fuses are located - there is a very tidy rats nest in there - don't get me wrong - it has been laid out really neatly and logically by the original professional van converters - but there are a few wires!

 

[Nicky6]

Hi Nicky6
I tried Braithwaite's - they were really good but couldn't help me for a few weeks - and I was going on a trip with the van in three days. I ordered a new battery from battery megastore - great price better than new spec and arrived next day. Still the issue persisted. I called around various VW main dealers - not interested - they suggested it could take days and would be very expensive - basically they didn't want to know. I then tried Preston Van Centre - what a difference, Keith - was extremely helpful and talked me through a few things - then said he would recommend an autoelectrician as that would be his first call if I brought the van to him.
I called our local guy in Kendal - Steve Benson - he was fantastic - really good and took time and saved our holiday. He surmised it was a power leakage from the leisure setup to the main ignition. He advised I start by covering the solar panel - and see if that made a difference - it did. .....and then it didn't after a few minutes. I disconnected all the leisure connections to the main vehicle and the problem disappeared. The leisure side all worked - but it wasn't connected to the van side. The van behaved perfectly all through our couple of hundred mile trip and the fridge worked as well - but as the solar panel wasn't connected the leisure battery is starting to discharge - but I can charge that up from a static charger.
When I returned I contacted Steve again and we talked, Steve reckoned it was better I go to someone who was a specialist in the leisure/campervan side of things and recommended another chap. I contacted him and have booked the van in, I will let you know what happens next.
Thinking back - this all started after I stowed the owners pack with all the documents under the drivers seat. I suspect I have either a) disconnected something or b) shorted something when I was stuffing the handbook into the space - as that's where the solar panel controller, leisure battery, and various other connectors and fuses are located - there is a very tidy rats nest in there - don't get me wrong - it has been laid out really neatly and logically by the original professional van converters - but there are a few wires!

 

[Nicky6]

Hi Stoocoo,

Thanks for this info.
I originally got our van from Braithwaites because their team seemed excellent. My van has been trailered upto them 2 or 3 times now when it get starved of fuel.
I take the key out usually, the volts drop to 4v from usually 12-13 and the radio stays on. Once this has happened 2 or 3 times, the fuel pump continues to run which might cause air into the system. Like you, all dash lights are off and won't come back on, until they flicker and all is back to normal voltage and van starts. Braithwaite fitted a new ignition switch, but it still played up a week later. I also spoke to Steve Benson who was amazing, and I disconnected the leisure side completely from the van battery. I also spoke to my van converter and he said that nothing else is direct linked electrically once the pos and negative is removed. Unfortunately this made things worse for me and the van shut off for 24hrs without any power. It woke up the next day but the main battery was flat.
I have had all the contacts under battery checked but now I'm stuck. Hadwins vw suck through their teeth when I ask anything. Apparently Lakeland Vw vans on Mintsfleet can look at the bcm and leisure side electrics as they specialise.
Will let you know my progress.
Cheers and good luck!
Nick

 

[Stoocoo]

Hi Stoocoo,

Thanks for this info.
I originally got our van from Braithwaites because their team seemed excellent. My van has been trailered upto them 2 or 3 times now when it get starved of fuel.
I take the key out usually, the volts drop to 4v from usually 12-13 and the radio stays on. Once this has happened 2 or 3 times, the fuel pump continues to run which might cause air into the system. Like you, all dash lights are off and won't come back on, until they flicker and all is back to normal voltage and van starts. Braithwaite fitted a new ignition switch, but it still played up a week later. I also spoke to Steve Benson who was amazing, and I disconnected the leisure side completely from the van battery. I also spoke to my van converter and he said that nothing else is direct linked electrically once the pos and negative is removed. Unfortunately this made things worse for me and the van shut off for 24hrs without any power. It woke up the next day but the main battery was flat.
I have had all the contacts under battery checked but now I'm stuck. Hadwins vw suck through their teeth when I ask anything. Apparently Lakeland Vw vans on Mintsfleet can look at the bcm and leisure side electrics as they specialise.
Will let you know my progress.
Cheers and good luck!
Nick

Hey Nick,
Wow - yours sounds way more dramatic than mine!
Let me know how you get on - good luck
Stew