what should I do to stop condensation forming on the fuse box?

[clipperjay]

Just tried to start the old gal and noticed the condensation forming on the fuse box, steering colume, under tray. The starter must have fused with something so I can only let it dry off a bit to see if it starts afterwards?
I assume as the car has been on the drive for six months she will just mould and get damp without regular running?
 
 
I could be battery but its taking less than an 1 amp on charge so nearly full, The ignition lights are there so is the alarm but it does feel like not enough cranking power to it? mmmmm

[jezza16v]

We had this problem but it was not condensation it was a leak through the scuttle via the bonnet pull cable grommet which sits almost directly above the fusebox, it soaked into some foam which backed the undertray as well. Could also be the ignition switch, try jumping the starter straight off the battery while the ignition is on. Also check the main +ve feed to the back of the starter, mine had almost corroded through and was a bu**er to turn over for months, eventually it flashed and burned right through, once I'd replaced the cable I never had the problem again.

[clipperjay]

Thanks Jezza she had just started up after a stint of drying out.
I've got mold and pretty well pluged up every hole for leaks even new membranes on the doors.
It has been sitting there for about four months without a start and there are a few interior pannels uncovered causing the cold to come through then the sun starts evap which is causing the issues  

[rubjonny]

get some o them silicone pack thingies, will help keep it dry. every so often take em out and put in the airing cupboard for a bit to dry out

[clipperjay]

RJ ohh yeah the silica packs do they work?
They look small enough to fit them into the foam cover I'll give it a shot and see if it does the trick?
The condensation seemed to be every where along the inside of the firewall and steering colume, all I could do was open the door and let the sun just dry it out naturally and wipe it down.
The only place I haven't looked for water ingress is the lower window seal but there is no rust and its pretty solid underneath.

Whats the best method of getting the mold off spores have grown on the back seats?
 
 

[rubjonny]

they do work but you need a lot of the small ones or some big ones. a mate of mine gave me a load of huge ones, almost like sand bags 

chucked em under the seats in me cabby and that really did the trick. with the mould ive just scrubbed seats/cards up with a wet cloth and thats done the job.  my recaros were in a right state but after a day of stripping and cleaning they came up nice, and the mould hasn't come back

[SoundillusioN]

Good tip!    I bought something similar to the below whilst working on mine to keep damp under control... bought some from a pound shop. Big tray thing full of that silica shizzle.  It's meant for damp window sills in houses etc but worked a treat in the car.

[SoundillusioN]

Just been to Asda, if you're looking for something to soak up the damp in the air they're selling these for a pound, it's what I mentioned earlier, i've just got myself a few again...

[X4MGS]

RJ ohh yeah the silica packs do they work?

Whats the best method of getting the mold off spores have grown on the back seats?

I bought a couple of those pigu/penguin things off ebay seem to work well, when full stick 'em in the micro for 6 min's and let cool - ready to use again..

As for mould my Mrs bought one of those small steam cleaners and it works a treat once you have cleared the crud off first... The steam seems to kill off the bacteria... Used on all 4 of the current golf fleet!! Great for just cleaning too! 

[jmsheahan]

RJ ohh yeah the silica packs do they work?

Whats the best method of getting the mold off spores have grown on the back seats?

I bought a couple of those pigu/penguin things off ebay seem to work well, when full stick 'em in the micro for 6 min's and let cool - ready to use again..

As for mould my Mrs bought one of those small steam cleaners and it works a treat once you have cleared the crud off first... The steam seems to kill off the bacteria... Used on all 4 of the current golf fleet!! Great for just cleaning too! 

Don't leave the pingi's in the microwave too long - the face melted off of the one my gf had   

I have one of these under the dash in mine:

http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp?productID=9456&frostProductName=Air%20Dry%20%20%20%20%20%20&catID=&frostCat=&frostSubCat=&subCatID=

As RJ has already said you need to dry it out reasonably regularly though.