Complained to Vx - the response......

[VectraV6CDTi]

I took my Vec down to Vx a few months ago with regards to problems with the fog lamps and indicators. Read here for more info:
http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showthread.php?t=339

Anyway, was really pee'ed off with the outcome so decided to send an message to Vx themselves via the Vauxhall website....and guess what - I actually got a response...was amazed!!! Anyway here it is:

"In light of your enquiry I have spoken to Mr Chris Woods, Service Manager
at Skurray’s Drove Road in Swindon and also with our Technical Department
on both items.

In regard to the issue of condensation in your fog lamp, having spoken to
Mr Chris Woods, he advised that they tested the lamp and found that it
cleared inside of the 20 minutes stipulated testing time. We stipulate 20
minutes as this is the standard time it takes for a lamp unit to properly
heat up.

We are aware that in certain circumstances headlamps and fog lamps can
attract condensation on the inside of the lens. This is usually caused when
climatic conditions become colder, such as at night, and where there are
minute droplets of moisture inside the light unit.

It is the same situation that affects the inner surface of the windscreen
glass as well as the rear and side windows. In these particular examples it
is of course much easier to de-fog the glass by the use of the demister and
heated rear window element or just wiping the glass with a cloth to remove
the moisture.

However, it is not quite so easy with the fog lamps because of the lack of
access, but the condensation will quickly dissipate when the lights are
operated and the inside of the light unit begins to warm up.

Please be assured that the presence of condensation in the fog lamp does
not indicate a fault and will not affect the durability of the light unit,
it is just because the outside air temperature and humidity reacts with the
slight traces of moisture inside the light. Unfortunately, we will only
change these units under the New Vehicle Warranty if the units fail to
clear inside of 20 minutes

With regard also to the issue of the indicators of your vehicle and the
automatic cancellation function, from speaking to Mr Woods at Skurray’s, I
understand that they did explain that this was a normal function of the
indicator units and wasn’t actually deemed to be a fault. Please be
reassured that the Vectra, along with all vehicles sold in the UK, have
been fully type approved by the Department of Transport. From speaking also
to our Technical Department on this I understand that we do not have any
reported known concerns. For this reason we cannot suggest any remedial
action."

I personaly think its another fob off on both issues and am not impressed with Vx at all.

Fog Lamps
So just because it passes a 20 min test thats means there no fault! Bearing in mind the next day it mists up again the next day - and stays like that indefinatly.http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/images/smilies/confused.gif So I have one fog lamp that looks perfect and never mists up and one that does, and looks ****!

Indicators
To recap - when I turn into a corner they cancel - so this is deemed as safe and normal working operation?

I am seriously thinking of either contacting trading standards or even writing to Watchdog on the TV as I am fuming about all these excuses. They shouldnt get away with it.

[Mrs D]

Go for it - if you go to trading standards/Watchdog, I am sure you can count on backing from us at the site.

[Dwabo]

Had same prob with mine misting up..first time replaced under warranty..then second time took it to another vx garage..they wanted 48 to 'test it' by blowing hot air into the unit..if it didnt clear they would replace it..obviously I didnt pay cos if any person with any sense knows, blowin hot air into it will clear it!..It was in for some other work too so I demanded my keys back -literally..and told the service manager to shove his service up his ****!!
havin probs with my indicators too cancelling during turn but not gone in with it yet..if u need any more info or backup with vx as to an isolated problem..will gladly help you..

[edition100]

wish those 'state of the art' wipers were simply & totally manual !

[Duncan]

Had the same problem with my fog light but fortunately it failed the 20 minute test and got replaced. Been fine ever since.

As for the indicators, I really like the three flash function at times, but I'm getting really ****ed off with them cancelling when I'm turning, just when they shouldn't!! I'm waiting for the day when someone pulls in front of me, or whatever, because my indicators cancelled.

Have spoken to my dealer and they said it's normal, but it most definitely isn't. One thing to hammer out with them next time the car is in.

D

[SRI-RICH]

Mine is a 2004 vectra and i have the same problem with the indicators.......sounds like quite a common fault.....

[ROB WOODHOUSE]

Mines The Same With The Indicators Really P****s Me Off When They Cancel In The Middle Of Or Before A Turn

[VectraV6CDTi]

Thanks for the comments guys - interesting to see how many other people have the same problems.

[VectraV6CDTi]

Heres the faulty fog lamp:

http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/uploader/pics/pics1/Fog%20Lamp%20Faulty%20.jpg


And the good one:

http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/uploader/pics/pics1/Fog%20Lamp%20Good%20.jpg


And comparison of both:

http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/uploader/pics/pics1/Fog%20Lamps%20.jpg

I've found Trading Standards email address - so going to give that a go.

[cyb]

fog lamp - as most members know its almost always the NS fog lamp that mists not the OS one.
So there has to be a problem?
-I think it maybe something to do with the water bottle for the screen wash which is just above the light. Could the cold /damp be more likely to affect the fog light on this side?
I did have mine changed 18 months or so ago and it was fine for about a year but can still mist up on some days.

As for the indicator I think this is how it is designed and I know VX have tweeked the design -hopefully for the better.

[Drinky]

touch wood i think ive sorted the fog light out my self took lamp out and dried it out completely then left the bottom off for about a week luckily it was dry weather been fine ever since but to be honest it hasnt been out in the rain for long so we will see

as regard to the indicators im the same as every one else i think love the 3 flash function but HATE the cancelling when turning right it seems to happen to me more when on roundabouts that little left turn as you enter the roundabout always cancels the indicators and a few times ive had cars pull out cos they have not known im coming all the way round .....SOME ONE WILL HAVE A SMACK ONE DAY !!!!!!!!

[Dwabo]

very true about the indicator when turning right..that little left turn cancels it...maybe we can get a group letter done or something and the treat of watchdog or trading standards!

[cyb]

as you enter the roundabout always cancels the indicators and a few times ive had cars pull out cos they have not known im coming all the way round .....SOME ONE WILL HAVE A SMACK ONE DAY !!!!!!!!

blimey 'indicating at roundabouts' now theres a novel idea but I don't think it'll ever catch on m8 :)

[Drinky]

blimey 'indicating at roundabouts' now theres a novel idea but I don't think it'll ever catch on m8 :)



this only applies to those that drive the BAVARIAN MOTOR WORKS vehicles !!!!!LOL :D :D :D

[Jamie]

I had a simlar problem with the fogs on my astra G... I ducted a hairdryer into them with a spare cold air feed from a K&N (I had to meake it look like a performance type mod to for the neighbours:D) and dried them out for a couple of hours, then i sealed the cap on the bottom with some bathroom silicon sealer and that fixed it permanently..... when it came to changing a bulb it was easy to take the cap of and peel the mastik off an renew it.

[Stewie]

'Touch wood'

My Fog lamps have never condensated and my indicators all work fine. A mate of mine has suffered the fog lamp problem. He just made sure he fully dried it out. Not had a problem since.

[leeds vectra]

I've had a fog replaced under warranty. I stuck an hairdryer in for a couple of mins and it dried it, but it soon returned. So replaced with no questions at my dealer.

[Andy]

well its not a design feature becasue neither of my vec C's indicators cancelled themselves mid corner. Maybe i should write and complain and say mine are broken as they are not operating as vauxhall intended becuase they stay flashing all the way round until i straighten my s wheel lol :)

[SirGSi]

Had mine replaced under warranty.

I tried the hairdryer trick and the 20 min test but they both kept getting condensation.

My dealer didn't think twice about fixing them - I'm on good terms with them too which helps I guess.

ATB
Grant.

[VectraV6CDTi]

it's a wonder the water was able to pass the legions of flies nesting on the front of your motor :D :rolleyes: :D
LOL - I must get around to cleaning it - but concerned that washing it might get more water in the remaining good fog lamp!
I am still definatly going to email Trading Standards - just got to find the time to sit down and do it..........
Indicators..... I am sorry but I cant see how Vx can say that indicators that cancel half way through turning a corner can be "normal" operation!!!

[24vElite]

Indicators "self cancelling" mid corner are definitely a "characteristic" of some Vectra Cs.
I been in the unfortunate position of having 4 Cs over the past three months and found these as follows:-
My 52 Elite - no problem
04 1.8 Sxi - intermittent
04 1.9 LS - happened all the time, especially right turns at roundabouts
05 Elite - no problem

Take it back, shout, jump up and down, ring VX customer service, SMMT, trading standards and don't take no for an answer.

Sorry had lots of experience with dealers and Vauxhall recently and the only way to get anything done is make yourself heard.

[VectraV6CDTi]

As it was raining on the way to work today I put my lights on. I also put my fog lamps on so I could try my own "20 min test". Well after 20 minutes of them switched on - surprise, surprise the fog lamp still has condensation in it. It looked about 70%-80% clear of condensation, but compared to the other good lamp, it still looked naff.
Anyway, I've fired off a couple of emails to trading standards and the office of fair trading - so I'll see what response I'll get.......

Anyone got an email address for the Department of Transport?

[VectraV6CDTi]

Well after having another moan to Vx via email I got another response:

I was sorry you were unhappy with our previous response and welcome the
opportunity to review this matter once more.

You state that neither fault has been fixed, however, as detailed in my
previous correspondence, from speaking to Mr Chris Stewart at Skurray’s
Drove Road, they found no fault with either component.

With regards to the issue with your fog lamps, if you feel that there is
still a fault we can only recommend that you consider either returning
to Skurray’s, Drove Road for further testing or to seek a second opinion
from another Vauxhall dealership. However, if it is found that they
clear within the prescribed testing time (i.e. 20 mins) we would deem
them to be operating correctly as this is the design parameters of all
vented lamp units.

Referring to your point about the indicators, I can only reiterate that
in line with European Legislation all vehicles have to be type approved
(tested) by the Department of Transport before they can be sold to the
general public. As I stated in my previous correspondence, I have
spoken to our Technical Department who have confirmed, that we have had
no reported known concerns with these indicator units. We can for this
reason recommend no remedial action.

Thank you for contacting us and allowing me the opportunity to reiterate
our position.

Yours sincerely

Cameron Titchener
Customer Service Manager

So still no joy. http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/images/smilies/mad.gif
He states that that their technical department have had no reported concerns with regards to the indicator problem. I few people have already said in this post that they have the problem so it is clearly not just my car.

Actually guys, I was wondering if those people would be kind enough email this guy (vauxhall.customerassistance@vauxhall.co.uk) stating that their car also has a problem and maybe we will get some action from Vx!!!!

The problem with the fog lights is very annoying also as I have done my own test and it still didnt clear. But I dont agree with the fact that passing their 20 min test justifies saying that there is no fault.

Cheers. Andy.

[blue222]

He states that that their technical department have had no reported concerns with regards to the indicator problem.

This is total BS from Vauxhall. I've had a case open with 'customer care' for nearly 18 months with my indicators, and they refuse to acknowledge this is a problem.

It's been into three dealers for this problem, and they all said there was no fault.

When I asked the third dealer how the indicators were checked, they said with a laptop. I asked how the laptop could drive round Stamford to find the fault......The technician came out with me and thankfully the fault showed itself.

Anyway, top marks to the dealer in Stamford and thumbs down to the two in Peterborough; the Stamford dealer agreed to replace the CIM (column integration module) when I told them that I'd found out that was the problem on this very forum. (VX still didn't want to know).

Now my indicators work perfectly - just like indicators should. :):):D

Don't be fobbed off - get them to replace the CIM.

[Maverick]

There is a snorkel kit available for the fog lights, which allows them to breath, both my fog lights looked like the bad one in this thread, since the snorkel kit was fitted, they have been clear ever since.

Regarding Vauxhall's responce, I don't think it is a fob off, the guy at Vauxhall has responded on the information given by the dealership.

[Jezzy]

Don't forget that this is a 4 year old post.

[blue222]

Don't forget that this is a 4 year old post.

Maybe Jezzy, but we're still getting the same problems on newer cars and the same indifference from Vauxhall.

[Flaninacupboard]

So a new CIM really fixed your indicators?? interesting, as mine ALWAYS cancel when turning right on a roundabout.

[ballan22direct]

whats the part number for this CIM.

[blue222]

Don't know about the part number, but pester your dealer if you're still under warranty - VX will deny all knowledge of any fault but if your dealer is up to anything he will fight your corner.

I take the VX denial to mean that the part is expensive for them to replace.

By the way, it was only after trawling this forum that I had enough information to persuade the dealer (the third dealer to look at it...).

[JSYSH466Y]

Are these snorkel kits like little rubber pipes which stick out from the back? If so I have these and it has made no difference to my headlight (NS). What Seems to have made a difference is Sealant behind the rubber washer and some silica packets