Damaged car going over rocky ground - Help please

[thompo5]

As it says, I have just got back from windermere, where we went down a stupidly rocky road (foolishly following the tom tom). It was more like a farmer track / wide footpath. As we got to the end of the track the car bottomed out on a lager rock. The Spanner light came on on my dash straight away.

When I looked under the car there was frayed wire/ pipe. This comes down from the engine bay (I think) in the middle of the car, just behind the front wheels and then runs rearward down the middle of the car for about 6 - 12 inchs ( that is as much as I could see anyway) This wire looks like its coating is breaied. I dont have a clue what this wire / tube is. Can anybody shed some light on the following please:

A) what it is
B) what it does
C) how to replace it and how big a job it is.

I wish I could give a better description. All comments are warmly welcome.

[ed taylor]

I wonder if it is the wire for the Lambda sensor. Can you trace it back up into the engine. If it is the Lambda sensor wire it will go to the exhaust pipe some where.
If it was the ABS wire. I would have thought the ASB light would have come on, and stayed on. That might eliminate a possible cause.

[Craig1985]

Lamba sensor to the cat POSSIBLY tho the normally bolt on the top of the cat i think? cant you repair the wire?

[Craig1985]

I wonder if it is the wire for the Lambda sensor. Can you trace it back up into the engine. If it is the Lambda sensor wire it will go to the exhaust pipe some where.

beaten to it again!!!! twice today

[n_hudson]

Can you take any pics?

[big rich]

beaten to it again!!!! twice today

its that ed taylor, he beats me normaly aswell lol

[ade0303]

As it says, I have just got back from windermere, where we went down a stupidly rocky road (foolishly following the tom tom). It was more like a farmer track / wide footpath. As we got to the end of the track the car bottomed out on a lager rock. The Spanner light came on on my dash straight away.

When I looked under the car there was frayed wire/ pipe. This comes down from the engine bay (I think) in the middle of the car, just behind the front wheels and then runs rearward down the middle of the car for about 6 - 12 inchs ( that is as much as I could see anyway) This wire looks like its coating is breaied. I dont have a clue what this wire / tube is. Can anybody shed some light on the following please:

A) what it is
B) what it does
C) how to replace it and how big a job it is.

I wish I could give a better description. All comments are warmly welcome.

I followed the exact same route, all along the side of the lake in my dads RS4 until I got to a point where it was impossible to go further, all the cyclists and walkers looking at me like a Tw@t

[thompo5]

I followed the exact same route, all along the side of the lake in my dads RS4 until I got to a point where it was impossible to go further, all the cyclists and walkers looking at me like a Tw@t

I know how that feels. managed to battle to the end of path. passed 2 walkers and they looked at each other like 'WTF is he serious trying to drive that down there?!?!?!' I was gutted. I got to 2 meters from a tarmacked road an hit a huge rock. I didn't like it in my car, I would have hated it in a RS4.

I could try and take pics tomorrow. I'll also post a pic of the track we went down.

I could possibly try a repair it, splice the ends and then wrap em in tape, maybe.

Would this be safe? IE just reconnecting the ends of the wires and wrapping a load of electrical tape around the connection???

It does come down from the engine then sits in what looks like a little grove under the car b4 disappearing above the exhaust. If this is any help

[thompo5]

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

The track is Old Hall Rd on the map. From High Wray to the crossing at the ferry. I would stay well clear unless you are in a 4x4.

[Ste]

IF it is the O2 sensor, then a temporary repair as you describe would be OK, just join the same coloured wires together.

Disconnect the battery to be sure.