Check Plenums ! **NEW MEMBERS TAKE NOTE** - Page 2

Fredules · 25th September 2013, 10:18

I read through the guide and it was a great help, as it turns out the car I bought (2003 2.0L ZT) already has the spy hole method installed. I flashed a torch in and the plenum is dry as a bone.

But I'm still getting electrical faults;

the lights on my dash aren't lighting up when I activate the indicators/headlights etc.

The alarm doesn't sound when I open the driver side door and the lights are still on.

The lights don't flash when I lock/unlock the car using the remote on the key.

I'm not sure what else to do..

Any help would be hugely appreciated!

Please & Thanks

Avulon · 25th September 2013, 12:23

Water in the Plenum is just one possible fault when you have electrical problems, it is quite common, but easy to avoid (hence this thread). There are other reasons for problems, but in order to diagnose then it's best to start a new thread in the Technical Help sub-forum and take it from there.

As a start off, Have you tried disconnecting the battery for 30 minutes? If you haven't, make sure that you have your radio code if required and that the satnav (if fitted) is shutdown correctly. Sometimes a battery reset can fix electrical problems like this. If that doesn't work then start the new thread in Technical Help and you'll be sorted in no time (well at least close to identifying the cause).

Paulym · 7th October 2013, 17:16

Hi all

New member and already got some good stuff. Yes I cleaned out my plenums at the weekend and of course you would be right although dry in there completely blocked with shonet. Pushed a long drill bit through it and pile of muck on the road.

Thanks to you all for the guidance

Ken Lion · 21st October 2013, 13:58

Did mine over the weekend - had the car since July but never even heard of a plenum* until seeing it on here while looking for advice on a battery non-start.
It was about 3" deep in what seemed clean water - took about 10mins to drain.
Talking to the previous owner (who is a friend and had it from new), he'd never heard of the problem either - which I guess makes him and me very lucky.
I've also done the spyhole mod - the video for that is excellent and makes it so much easier.

So thanks to this and related threads.

*Edit:
I looked up 'plenum' in my Concise Oxford Dictionary and it defines it as "space filled with matter".
So I guess that covers it!

DefibDuncan · 23rd October 2013, 20:21

So, I had my bi monthly poke out of the drain as its been very wet/windy and I am not far from a whole row of silver birch trees. You know the ones. 75, killers with hundreds of spicky tiny seed pods. And yes, drain was running.... just, so managed to push through quite a clump of debris. First time I have had that much. So very pleased I did my Plems today !! Without the club I would never have known and for sure, by now my ECU would have been gurging away to itself. Thanks

android6600 · 25th October 2013, 10:05

I ordered my plenum shield wednesday,received it this morning.
Excellent service,many thanks Jules.
So thats my job for the weekend,do the spyhole mod and fit shield.
I've checked the how to,so feel pretty confident,just wondered if there's anything else i need to know before i proceed.
It's just that i can be a bit hamfisted at times!

ashbash2403 · 26th October 2013, 10:08

Shield fits one way and will take 90 seconds, the mod takes 5 mins to take the plenum out drill it and the put it back test and put the bung in.

I am useless at mods and I breezed through it.

Checked mine this morning but all clear

badrover · 27th October 2013, 16:28

Forgive my naivety here but I have a question about plenums. I'm asking about my 53 plate 1.8t tourer. I've just emptied my plenum today, I had the tell tale sloshing sound when going around a corner. There was about an inch of water, now all gone. I emptied it by massaging and rodding the drain tube that sits nearest the drivers side, behind the brake pipes on the bulkhead box section. This and other posts makes reference to a plenum drain below the pollen filter on the passenger side of the bulkhead. My question is; does my car have one of these and does it drain the same plenum chamber/cavity as the one I've rodded already?

stevestrat · 27th October 2013, 16:36

Yes your car has the drain below the pollen filter. That area contains the pollen filter and ECU, it is deeper, has it's own drain and is the most important of all. If the drain is blocked there is the possibility that the water can reach and penetrate the ECU the results of which can be terminal.

badrover · 27th October 2013, 17:08

Thanks so much. Had to go out and check in the dark! Glad I did, no water but rubber drain was full of soil and grit. I've cleared it now, pollen filter looks dirty though, that will be the next job then!

25th September 2013, 10:18	#1
Fredules Newbie 2004 MG ZT+ 135 CDTi Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Orkney Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	PLenum is bone dry - help?? D: I read through the guide and it was a great help, as it turns out the car I bought (2003 2.0L ZT) already has the spy hole method installed. I flashed a torch in and the plenum is dry as a bone. But I'm still getting electrical faults; the lights on my dash aren't lighting up when I activate the indicators/headlights etc. The alarm doesn't sound when I open the driver side door and the lights are still on. The lights don't flash when I lock/unlock the car using the remote on the key. I'm not sure what else to do.. Any help would be hugely appreciated! Please & Thanks

25th September 2013, 12:23	#2
Avulon This is my second home 1.8t Tourer Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tanelorn Posts: 4,830 Thanks: 956 Thanked 1,148 Times in 916 Posts	Water in the Plenum is just one possible fault when you have electrical problems, it is quite common, but easy to avoid (hence this thread). There are other reasons for problems, but in order to diagnose then it's best to start a new thread in the Technical Help sub-forum and take it from there. As a start off, Have you tried disconnecting the battery for 30 minutes? If you haven't, make sure that you have your radio code if required and that the satnav (if fitted) is shutdown correctly. Sometimes a battery reset can fix electrical problems like this. If that doesn't work then start the new thread in Technical Help and you'll be sorted in no time (well at least close to identifying the cause). __________________ Need a T4 ?: T4 Owners Map thanks to Stevestrat ( use at your own risk) Where?: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanelorn Mods/Retrofits: PCV vortex 'filter'; bluetooth; inline thermostat; reversing sensors; plenum spyhole ; headlamp washers ; Diy mp3 player replacing CD multichanger; FBH with remote; Headlamp washers; black/chrome front grille, rear blind; Xenon projectors To do: puddle lights; 2 Din cd/nav to fit; boot release button

21st October 2013, 13:58	#4
Ken Lion Gets stuck in R75 2.0 CDT Club SE Tourer Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Manchester Posts: 616 Thanks: 105 Thanked 101 Times in 89 Posts	Did mine over the weekend - had the car since July but never even heard of a plenum* until seeing it on here while looking for advice on a battery non-start. It was about 3" deep in what seemed clean water - took about 10mins to drain. Talking to the previous owner (who is a friend and had it from new), he'd never heard of the problem either - which I guess makes him and me very lucky. I've also done the spyhole mod - the video for that is excellent and makes it so much easier. So thanks to this and related threads. Edit: I looked up 'plenum' in my Concise Oxford Dictionary and it defines it as "space filled with matter". So I guess that covers it! Last edited by Ken Lion; 23rd October 2013 at 21:35..*

23rd October 2013, 20:21	#5
DefibDuncan Regular poster Rover 75 Club saloon, SE CDI Auto, Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Bethersden KENT Posts: 36 Thanks: 9 Thanked 6 Times in 3 Posts	Windywet day under silver birch trees. So, I had my bi monthly poke out of the drain as its been very wet/windy and I am not far from a whole row of silver birch trees. You know the ones. 75, killers with hundreds of spicky tiny seed pods. And yes, drain was running.... just, so managed to push through quite a clump of debris. First time I have had that much. So very pleased I did my Plems today !! Without the club I would never have known and for sure, by now my ECU would have been gurging away to itself. Thanks

26th October 2013, 10:08	#7
ashbash2403 Loves to post MG ZT 1.8T 160 Xpower Grey Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Aldridge Posts: 355 Thanks: 8 Thanked 15 Times in 15 Posts	Check Plenums ! (New members take note) Shield fits one way and will take 90 seconds, the mod takes 5 mins to take the plenum out drill it and the put it back test and put the bung in. I am useless at mods and I breezed through it. Checked mine this morning but all clear __________________ You don't need to own a sheep to know what not to put in it !

7th October 2013, 17:16	#3
Paulym Loves to post Rover 2.5V6 Connie SE (White Gold) Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Rushden Posts: 378 Thanks: 166 Thanked 70 Times in 53 Posts	Hi all New member and already got some good stuff. Yes I cleaned out my plenums at the weekend and of course you would be right although dry in there completely blocked with shonet. Pushed a long drill bit through it and pile of muck on the road. Thanks to you all for the guidance

25th October 2013, 10:05	#6
android6600 Newbie rover 75 tourer Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: clacton on sea Posts: 16 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I ordered my plenum shield wednesday,received it this morning. Excellent service,many thanks Jules. So thats my job for the weekend,do the spyhole mod and fit shield. I've checked the how to,so feel pretty confident,just wondered if there's anything else i need to know before i proceed. It's just that i can be a bit hamfisted at times!

27th October 2013, 16:28	#8
badrover Gets stuck in 75 club se tourer,75 cdt tourer connie se, 75 dealer launch Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: cheshire Posts: 536 Thanks: 79 Thanked 97 Times in 73 Posts	Forgive my naivety here but I have a question about plenums. I'm asking about my 53 plate 1.8t tourer. I've just emptied my plenum today, I had the tell tale sloshing sound when going around a corner. There was about an inch of water, now all gone. I emptied it by massaging and rodding the drain tube that sits nearest the drivers side, behind the brake pipes on the bulkhead box section. This and other posts makes reference to a plenum drain below the pollen filter on the passenger side of the bulkhead. My question is; does my car have one of these and does it drain the same plenum chamber/cavity as the one I've rodded already?

27th October 2013, 16:36	#9
stevestrat This is my second home ZT260 #243 (resting) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Prestonpans Posts: 22,523 Thanks: 650 Thanked 4,624 Times in 3,358 Posts	Yes your car has the drain below the pollen filter. That area contains the pollen filter *and ECU, it is deeper, has it's own drain and is the most important of all. If the drain is blocked there is the possibility that the water can reach and penetrate the ECU the results of which can be terminal. __________________ Steve* T4 Location Map

27th October 2013, 17:08	#10
badrover Gets stuck in 75 club se tourer,75 cdt tourer connie se, 75 dealer launch Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: cheshire Posts: 536 Thanks: 79 Thanked 97 Times in 73 Posts	Thanks so much. Had to go out and check in the dark! Glad I did, no water but rubber drain was full of soil and grit. I've cleared it now, pollen filter looks dirty though, that will be the next job then!