Check vsc light

[lex - eleven]

Morning all. I connected up my Battery that had been on charge and can't believe I actually connected the terminal round the wrong way - what a plank! After correcting my error I started the car and now my check vsc light has  lit and it won't rev properly.

I've looked at the paperclip method suggested on here but haven't tried it yet. If I do try this method will it just clear the vsc check light or will there still be the same problem? Otherwise I'm thinking about getting someone out with the proper equipment to sort it out

T.I.A

[ColinBarber]

I’d check all the fuses in the engine bay. One or more has probably blown. Normally it is a high current bolt in fuse that go but that results in a dead car so you might have got away with that.  

[cruisermark]

Hi

I didnt realise there was enough cable there to connect wrong way round.

I would suggest the following:

1) Disconnect Battery - leave for 10 minutes and then try again

2) Buy a code reader and check for codes - the Bluetooth ones on eBay work on these cars

3) Check for blown fuses

4) If all else fails then it needs to be seen by an auto electrician/garage

Hope this helps and you get her sorted soon

[lex - eleven]

Thanks for the replies. First off I made a mistake in my post. I have a spare Battery that I keep charged in the garage and I tried to jump it first with that and because I got the leads wrong it melted the jump leads. I bought another set and got it started from our little peugeot 107 would you believe! It was then that the vsc light came on. I wasn't sure if I'd killed the Battery but luckily after a day and a bit it's recharged and seems to be ok but the same problem exists. I've just got back from  unsuccessfully trying to get an obd2 reader locally so will look on eBay as was suggested. I just wondered if my RAC cover would help, I tend to forget I have it as I've never had to use it before. Anyway I'll post back on here with any further developments. There are so many obd2 readers on eBay and varying prices. Can anyone recommend a particular one for these cars?

Edited October 26 by lex - eleven
Additional information

[BigBoomer]

I bought a cheap £30 ODB2 reader and it works for basic stuff, but to get all the info you need a TechStream setup which is complex to get working.
Have you tried the Battery disconnection that Mark suggested? Disconnecting the Battery for 10-15 mins resets the ECU and can resolve certain codes as it wipes the code memory.
If you do that and the code returns afterwards, then you need a reader and have a problem.

The RAC won't take kindly to calling them out to read a code for you 😁
They'll probably do it and be all polite, and then send you a bill for work performed that is not covered under the contract.

[lex - eleven]

Yes I took the Battery off for a couple of days and put it on charge but it hasn't resolved it. I've noticed the traction control is off and the head unit is not coming on as well. I'm thinking fuses as was suggested.  I've booked the RAC to do the diagnostic check (£99) so they're coming tomorrow morning. Then it's extra for them to fix it but hopefully if they pinpoint what it is I may be able to do it myself. I'll let you know what happened.

[lex - eleven]

Well he thinks it's the ecu. Code c1201. Starting to panic now! I'm going down to the garage I use to see if they can test it or help out in any way.

[Malc1]

Good Luck

Malc

[BigBoomer]

What is the part number on the ECU. There are several on eBay but you need the exact part number.

[lex - eleven]

Yes funnily enough I was looking myself on eBay just to get a rough idea. They don't seem too expensive but my garage said they'll get it tested for me but the guy who does these is in Toronto for a couple of weeks on holiday. So I'll drop the car in when he's back. It's moving like it's in limp mode so I'll drop it off late one evening. He said they can sometimes be repaired so 🤞 

[cruisermark]

Any update Mark?

[lex - eleven]

It's going into the garage on the 18th for a full check over. I have read somewhere that although he said it was the ecu it could be a problem with another part that's causing the code for the ecu. If may cancel out when fully diagnosed and pinpointed.  🤞 

[cruisermark]

1 hour ago, lex - eleven said:

It's going into the garage on the 18th for a full check over. I have read somewhere that although he said it was the ecu it could be a problem with another part that's causing the code for the ecu. If may cancel out when fully diagnosed and pinpointed.  🤞 

hopefully it won't be too expensive - the electronics are quite robust on these cars

[lex - eleven]

Well the car is fixed. The ecu was OK, the diagnostics found no comms with gateway module. (all alien to me). 3 fuses replaced as the head unit was out as well and everything seems to be hunky dorey. Had the m.o t done as well which showed the offside brake light has failed probably due to the electrical issue. Ordered a complete unit from Paul (lsd). Total cost  including the m.o.t. due to my stupidity £616. Could be worse 😭 oh it was...£15 extra for new jump leads!

[Malc1]

Lest we forget …….. we have ancient cars now, which by modern car standards would have long ago been consigned to the Breakers Yard 

We must expect and accept such bills for idiosyncracies and be happy our amazing cars can actually be fixed ok

To live another year or dozen 🤞🤞🤞👍

Malc 

🤣😂😄

[lex - eleven]

Well I've replaced the off side light and having removed the old one I now know why it failed. I couldn't see from the outside but there was quite a drop of water in there. I was wondering if this was replaced would the LED brake light work again?

[Malc1]

Any thoughts as to how the water ingress happened ?

cracked lens maybe 🤔

Malc 

[lex - eleven]

No the lense is fine. Some time back there was some water in the boot when the car was parked facing down the driveway. Turning the car around seemed to prevent that again so maybe a boot seal?