Zafira electrical issue

HalfPint

Hi,

I bought a zafira 1.9tdi design about 5 months ago. The rear passenger door seems to have developed an electrical fault. The window does not work and the speaker, when you open/close the door or swtich on the ignition, clicks and buzzes.

I have a 12 month warrenty on the vehicle, took it to the garage last night who told me that it's probably the wiring harness, they wanted me to pay for testing to diagnose it for definate. Fair enough but on making a speculative call to the warrenty lo and behold it's not covered.

On searching the net it seems this is a very common fault on Zafiras. Hubby says if he knew how to do it, he'd fix it himself. (he has no mechanical experience!) Vauxhall want to charge £90 per hour labour and no doubt about 30 to 40 quid for the parts.

It cars, I know, but I've only owned it 5 months, should the garage be responsible? If not, how much should a job like this cost?

I grudge putting a large amount of money into vauxhall's pocket and would rather pay my local vehicle electrical specialist to do it.

HP x

Ps forgot to add the car is 6 years old, has 73 on the clock.

Sgt_Pepper_2

You've answered your own question in the post.

HalfPint

Have I?

what is the going hourly rate for garages? I thought 90 quid was extortionate!

Is this fault easy to fix yourself (bear in mind hubby is no mechanic and really knows nothing about cars lol)

HP x

Sgt_Pepper_2

Local specialist/independent.

BoracicLint

HalfPint wrote: »

Have I?

what is the going hourly rate for garages? I thought 90 quid was extortionate!

Is this fault easy to fix yourself (bear in mind hubby is no mechanic and really knows nothing about cars lol)

HP x

If it's a common problem, there'll be a common fix for it. I'd search on the owners forum for a step by step guide on how to fix it, I haven't heard of this issue but sounds like a simple short circuit.

Failing that, I'd find a decent independant specialist and wouldnt pay more than £60 per hour.

Grantabrycge

I wouldn't attempt to touch anything coming from the wiring harness of a modern car. You risk connecting the electric seats to the whippers' control ...

maninthestreet

Window not working - when you press the 'open window' button, can you hear a click at all?

motorguy

Open the door.

Down below the hinges there will be a corrogated plastic flexi pipe. This contains the wiring to the door. The wires are basically too short and over time fray and get exposed.

If you pull back the plastic flexi pipe you should hopefully be able to see the one or two wires that are frayed / broken. Reconnect them and wrap them in insulating tape.

HalfPint

Hiya,

Thanks for all your comments

Maninthestreet - no, there is no click at all.

I've asked for a quote from a local electric automotive guy, he thinks there is a 'fix' for it, rather than changing the whole loop (his words, though I've no idea what this means!)

Thanks Paul, I'll get Mr H to have a look and if it's that simple I'm sure he can do it

HP x

motorguy

HalfPint wrote: »

Hiya,

Thanks for all your comments

Maninthestreet - no, there is no click at all.

I've asked for a quote from a local electric automotive guy, he thinks there is a 'fix' for it, rather than changing the whole loop (his words, though I've no idea what this means!)

Thanks Paul, I'll get Mr H to have a look and if it's that simple I'm sure he can do it

HP x

Yes this 'fix' is to at worst replace the little bit down at the door but hopefully just fix.

I've had maybe 15 zafiras this year for sale and sold and i'd say 90% have had problems usually starting with the rear door(s) central locking not working.

kbrumann

pgilc1 wrote: »

90% have had problems usually starting with the rear door(s) central locking not working.

@pgilc1

My X-reg Zafira (96,000 miles) has that problem with the left hand side rear door. I have been reluctant to pay the Vauxhall dealer to repair it. What do you suggest I do with it?