Freakout!

[Paule]

So last night in Merritt my van sat in temps as low as -12. After plugging in my block heater for about an hour this morning I started up. The van started fine - more or less - but my Auber ETG freaked out and something under the drivers side dash buzzed and whirred loudly. It sounded like an electric motor struggling to turn (to give a reference). The ETG flashed temps up to 2000+ degrees and as low as 40 but never the same numbers, then EEEE (error, i presume). I've only used the block heater maybe six times...

I suppose what I should have done was turned the van off as soon as this madness started, but I didn't. After about two minutes everything settled down and now seems to be operating normally...

Anyone have any idea what could have made the noise under the dash? Or any idea what may have happened at all? Something similar happen to you?

Thanks!

Paul

[nxski]

I had my pyro freak out like that and then it never read correctly after. It turned out the probe was faulty.

[Paule]

An Auber probe? It seems to read about the same as it has in the past....

I've been told the buzzing might be the headlight warning module... Anyone know anything about this device? Can't find any info about it...


pe

[psilosin]

Disco must really be dead if I'm first to respond with: Le Chic!

[Paule]

Update:

It seems the two symptoms are unrelated... As best as I can tell.
The Auber gauge issue might be a probe problem, as it only is happening intermittently. But the whirring (sounds like a pump struggling) happens every time. It starts the moment the ignition is turned on, before the engine starts, and fades away in about a minute. What is under there that could be making this noise?!

Any thoughts would be appreciated...

Paul

[yojimbo]

I've never heard any kind of noise like that from the dash, and I have no idea what could be doing it. There's some relays and that I expect, but I cant think of anything would sound like a motor.

[Paule]

I've never heard any kind of noise like that from the dash, and I have no idea what could be doing it. There's some relays and that I expect, but I cant think of anything would sound like a motor.

Love to hear what relays are under there. I'm getting nowhere...


Update:

Today it only happened first start of the day, when it was cold. No other events throughout the day.


Cheers

p

[mararmeisto]

There is a collection of relays up under the dash: hazard lights, turn signals, and a couple others I can't remember clearly. We had to go digging once when someone's turn signal relay died.

It might be one of those protesting the cool temps - when it's first energised.

Your gauge with the wild readings? Yup, it's either the probe or the gauge, and since they're usually a matched pair, you've generally got to replace them together.

[Paule]

Update:

Since my return to the land of the thawed, all symptoms have disappeared.

If any of these problems start for anyone else, I'd love to discuss...


Cheers,

pe