Looking for a sticking-plaster for the eternal battery drain

[SCP440]

Sorry to be negative about our cars but I fear these mysterious electrical problems will become more common as they age. Car electronics are not designed to last for ever and with the inevitable damp these can cause problems.

I know of several modern cars that have been scrapped due to endless electrical problems and the cost of fixing was going to cost more than there worth, one very nice 7 series BMW even failed its MOT because of such problems now engine management lights, ABS and airbag lights are a failure. I am sure the manufacturers build in this need for T4 and the like on purpose, there is no need for a light switch to store the mileage information.


Steve

[Tim]

Sorry to be negative about our cars but I fear these mysterious electrical problems will become more common as they age. Car electronics are not designed to last for ever and with the inevitable damp these can cause problems.

I know of several modern cars that have been scrapped due to endless electrical problems and the cost of fixing was going to cost more than there worth, one very nice 7 series BMW even failed its MOT because of such problems now engine management lights, ABS and airbag lights are a failure. I am sure the manufacturers build in this need for T4 and the like on purpose, there is no need for a light switch to store the mileage information.


Steve

I think that relates to any modernish car but I don't think it will be a failure and our cars though have electronics aren't on a par with todays cars. I think our history means there will be an owner who has the auto-electrical savi to find a solution to the problems which arise. Also if we as a collective start seeing issues arise we will find a solution.

I'm currently working on the electrical displays of a 35 year old bike and happily surprised to see no major degradation on the insulation etc so not overly concerned about our cars for a good few years yet.

[David]

Sorry to be negative about our cars but I fear these mysterious electrical problems will become more common as they age. Car electronics are not designed to last for ever and with the inevitable damp these can cause problems.

I know of several modern cars that have been scrapped due to endless electrical problems and the cost of fixing was going to cost more than there worth, one very nice 7 series BMW even failed its MOT because of such problems now engine management lights, ABS and airbag lights are a failure. I am sure the manufacturers build in this need for T4 and the like on purpose, there is no need for a light switch to store the mileage information.


Steve

I guess electronics don't necessarily fail just because of age. More modern cars suffer from it too. The biggest problem will be when a "260-bespoke" piece of electronics fails and no replacement is available any more. There are many electronic modules and quite a few already fall into the NLA category, I understand.

David

[SCP440]

Engine management is relatively easy as there are aftermarket engine ECU's a plenty. The problem will be as David has said the specialty components. I suppose the Gateway and heater control ECU's are the two most obvious as the rest could be robbed from a standard ZT/Rover 75. I believe the ABS is even unique to our cars. I know there are companies that specialise in the repair of such parts but it would probably be a good idea to remove these parts from any cars that get scrapped and they are kept safe for the future.