Testing for shorts (and not the pants)

[yacob.naif 10+ year member]

A few weeks ago, i had a water leak in my car, and i've been having some miscellaneous gremlins ever since.

My interior dome lights have a slight flicker, my remote doesn't work, and my alarm doesn't arm.

After pulling out the carpet, i realized that the computer in charge of the entire interior of the car was down there, so i figured that probably got fried, so i got a new one from a yard on ebay.

Replacing the unit fixed a few of my problems. My windows roll up and down now, my locks WORK, and my sunroof works, as well as the chime when my keys are in the ignition with the door open.

Still no remote or alarm love, tho, and the lights still flicker a bit.

So it appears that i've got a short somewhere.........

Best i can figure is i should start off by continuity testing each of the wires going to the unit, but the problem could also be a wire-to-wire short in the harness, or somewhere else, so does anyone have a good tutorial for me?

I'm guessing you attach your positive lead like a regular continuity test, but check all of the OTHER wires in the harness to see if their circuits are crossed, but if someone could tell me who has experience, it would make it a lot more clear.

Thanks, this really blows.

I'm almost done installing my speakers, but i'm not driving it home with my new gear in it until i get the alarm working //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

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[lilmaniac2 5,000+ posts]

dont touch any wire that goes to an air bag with a test light... POWIE

 

[JunkTitleGolf 10+ year member]

Is there a possibility that there are other modules that control the other things?

 

[Kagymp5 10+ year member]

did you check your fuses??

 

[Worlddre 5,000+ posts]

if your audi is anything like mine there is an alarm module somewhere else in the car....i would suggest checking there for the alarm and remote

 

[yacob.naif 10+ year member]

yeah, checked ALL my fuses, and replaced the ones responsible for the central locking, alarm, and sunroof despite them still being in fine condition.

The unit was completely submerged, so i can't rule out a short further up the wiring harness, where water may have wicked it's way up through the wires........

 

[yacob.naif 10+ year member]

if your audi is anything like mine there is an alarm module somewhere else in the car....i would suggest checking there for the alarm and remote

Alright, i'll try and find some info on this.

Perhaps it's a connection between the two.

 

[Worlddre 5,000+ posts]

what year and model do you have?

 

[ngsm13 5,000+ posts]

DMM.

nG

 

[yacob.naif 10+ year member]

what year and model do you have?

1999 A6 avant 2.8

 

[Worlddre 5,000+ posts]

where under the carpet did you find the computer thingy?

 

[yacob.naif 10+ year member]

drivers side front carpet.

called the 'central convenience module'

 

[Worlddre 5,000+ posts]

that is your door lock module as well