28 replies to this topic

[vxtdude]

There is clearly a major design defect. Just to add to some of your concerns, my rear lights have been modded following the dealer bulletin and they are STILL blowing and melting. It is in with West End as we speak (and has been for the last 16 days). As a result of the failure of the dealer bulletin recommendation to remedy this problem, the entire wiring loom of the car is being replaced - apparently the loom alone costs £1500, plus two or three full days of labour. Thank heavens the car is still under warranty. It is clear to me from the other posts here, that this is a serious issue. I also had the "replace the bulb" nonsense for the past 18 months. Today I spoke to Vauxhall customer service in Luton and explained that if this recurred, I would require an alternative solution to just getting a repair.

[SSH1]

Thanks for the update VXTDUDE. I shall see what Vauxhall customer services say, when they come back to me. So far affected: VXTDUDE SSH1 (me) TOONTURBO WILMA IJP (but possibly fixed) Anyone else currently experiencing this problem?

[IJP]

Yup ours appears fixed - hasn't blown for a while now. We were getting a lot of condensation in the rear light lenses due to the muppets at Lotus being unable to stick and seal the fittings together. Since we had both the light units replaced (twice!) and the wiring mod - no problems so far. The first fix was over at a Vxhall dealer in St Leonards..... However we now trust the car to Stephens at Crawley, who appear to have a good new Service Manager!

[SSH1]

Girlfriend pulled over by the police yesterday evening, apparently no taillights & no brake lights (apart from the high level one). Luckily copper was a reasonable bloke & escorted her home, I'm sure he could have fined her & given some points on her license if he was having a really bad day. Anyway been back on the phone to dealer, explained problem, they say 'can you bring the car down and we'll take a look' I said 'I don't think you have been listening to me, car has non functioning rear lights I'm not prepared to drive it'. Anyway service manager calls me back, tells me he is waiting on an answer from Vauxhall, will send a guy to fit new bulbs, and drive car back, but won't give me a loan car. So back to Vauxhall Customer Support I go, asking them to do something, currently waiting for manager to phone me back after they have spoken to 'Technical Dept' I have dealt with them before, had my last VX for 12 weeks trying to fix some problems, created more, and I eventually got them to agree to a favourable exchange of the car.

Edited by SSH1, 18 February 2005 - 10:07 AM.

[vxtdude]

SSH That is exactly what has been happening with me. Do you mean that they gave you a new VX ? That is clearly the only option here I think if this problem recurs after they've replaced the wiring loom. My VX is still at West End. I spoke to them this morning. They do not know what the cause of the problem is. Vauxhall told them to replace the entire loom. That doesn't give me much confidence for this not recurring as if it is a design fault, switching the loom for another one, of the same design, will not make any difference (unless of course there is a one off fault with the loom). Adam

[SSH1]

Adam I had a NA vx with a list of faults as long as your arm, took over 6 months of me rejecting the vehicle for Vauxhall to agree to an exchange. I got a VXT at cost price & a favourable price for my NA, so I had to give them some more money, but kept the 0% finance agreement I had taken out on the NA (throught Vauxhall), transferred onto the Turbo. My car is now back at dealers whilst they scratch their heads about what to do with the rear lights, they say they can't find a dealer bulletin relating to this fault. Do you have any idea how I can get the bulletin reference number? Chris

[Steve Crisp]

Hi, Can someone with this problem measure across the brake-light bulb with a voltmeter? You'll need to take a reading with the engine running at around 3000 rpm and the brake-pedal pressed(of course!). You need a DC reading AND an AC reading. An osciloscope would be better, to see if there are any big spikes, but a voltmeter will do if not. Steve

[wilma]

I also have same problem,[VXT03] with dealer insisting it`s the bulbs. I think in my case water may be getting in. Always the drivers side brake light and driving light at the same time, sometimes the bulb exploding. Am i right in thinking everyone has the problem on the drivers side?

Yes mine blew twice that side - then the other side finaly went which is why i got the whole units replaced.

[IJP]

My car is now back at dealers whilst they scratch their heads about what to do with the rear lights, they say they can't find a dealer bulletin relating to this fault.  Do you have any idea how I can get the bulletin reference number?

Chris

Try speaking to Stevens Vxhall in Crawley or the Eastbourne Vxhall Dealer at Witley(sic) Bridge. Both of these dealers knew exactly what we were talking about and HAVE fixed it.

Edited by IJP, 24 February 2005 - 07:14 PM.