Corroded Wiring Loom By Screen Wash Washer Failure

[gazard]

Hi All, 

First post here due to a disaster. Front driving lamps on my 2009 C3 Exclusive 1.6HDI  stopped working and the fault was traced to a leaky washer on the screen wash which allowed screen wash to flow through the wiring and all the way to the other side of the engine compartment to corrode the fuse box. I've been presented with an £1100 repair bill which has so far been been reduced by 60% with contributions from Citroen and the dealer that sold the car to me. 

I know that this has happened before on a C2 and that owner got Citoren to stump up for 100% of the repair after 3 years and 11 months of ownership.

I have 2 questions that are pertinent to me: 1. What are my chances of getting Citroen to up their offer to 100% and 2. Will it happen again in 4 years time? 

How many more are about to go wrong with this design? Is it a design fault?

Advice from me is for all owners to get their washer bottle checked out.

[paul.h]

Welcome to the forum.

I am sorry to hear of your problem and maybe others will comment on your chance of getting a greater contribution from Citroen.

 

Can you provide a bit more information to help others

- is your car the new C3 model

- do you know exactly where the leak of water occurred since you mention the washer bottle which is low down and a leaky washer which I presume means a washer jet fastened at the bonnet. With this information others will be able to find a way to prevent this occurring and for yourself happening again.

 

The 2002 to 2009 C3 is known for washer water leaks from the piping joints and through the bonnet hole at the washer jets.  On our 2003 C3 I replaced the plastic washer piping with rubber to give better seals at the joints and used silicone sealant under the washer jets so rain water could not go through the bonnet hole

[gazard]

It's probably one of the first of the new models. It certainly isn't as rounded as the previous model. It was Citroens' show vehicle, so has all the extras like leather seats and sat nav and huge panoramic screen.

As far as I know the leak occurred at the bottom of the tank and liquid must have got in to the loom via the pump wires. 

The dealer was very specific that the liquid has traveled from the tank to the fuse box. I'm going in there today on my way to work to ask if it could happen again. 

[gazard]

An update...

Citroen came good with and fixed the issue without cost to me. 

Gesture was apparently based on the fact that I was a good customer with a full service history. Sometimes the system works to our advantage.

 

Gaz

[paul.h]

Thankyou for getting back to us and I am pleased you did not have to pay for the repairs. I have included this fault in the Common Problems post.