Headlight Failure Due To Failed Seal In Screen Wash Bottle/motor

[fio]

Hi

 

I own a 2011 c3 picasso 1.6hdi, have had it from new.

 

Driving along the motorway friday night I realised my headlights werent working even though the dash indicted they were on.  I immediately pulled over to investigate and found both side and headlights at the front were not working.  Beam was fine . I had to get towed home.

 

Took the car to the local auto electrician explained that a seal in the screen wash motor/bottle had failed leading to leakage along the cable to the fuse box corroding as it went.  The parts would all need replacing leading to a bill of £1000.  He also said that he had seen this problem before and it was not uncommon in citroens and peugeots, a design fault not letting the liquid leak away, instead it flows along the cable until it finds an outlet in the fuse box.

 

I noticed a post in 2013 on this forum listing the same problem and was wondering how common this is.

 

http://www.citroen-owners-club.co.uk/citroen/topic/20734-corroded-wiring-loom-by-screen-wash-washer-failure/

 

I have phoned citroen and they want me to pay £85 for a diagnostic before they will consider looking into the problem.

 

I would appreciate any feedback on a course of action or if there is any other information anywhere about this fault.

 

Would I need to get the main dealership to correct the problem?  I have already paid a deposit to the auto electrician for ordering the parts required.  Citroen cant do the diagnostic for another week and meanwhile I have a car that I cannot drive far for fear of any other electric failures.

 

Thank you