LittleRedB I think you jinxed me mentioning the 'smoke screen switch' in another post!

This morning I was driving to work and suddenly the whole inside of the car filled up with black smoke! Luckily I was right next to a pub car park, so pulled in and lept out pretty smartish thinking the whole thing was about to go up in flames, so quickly in fact that i forgot to put on the handbrake and had to jump back in again to stop it rolling off across the carpark!

I called the RAC - thankfully its the cover that goes with any car because I hadn't even got around to telling them I'd changed it yet. It turned out that the cable that operates the heated rear screen was a total bodge job 'not fiats finest' as he put it, all wrapped up with gaffer tape, and it had started to burn and melt.

So now I've got to call the garage and get it back over to Leicester for them to sort it out. Not a great way to start a Monday morning - the RAC man was great though, looked a bit nervous when he saw the car as he'd never been out to one before but soon had it sorted.

Shel

Sorry to hear about your bad luck - at least it was not too serious!

Knowing the build quality that FIAT are famed for it would not suprise me if it was original!!

:yeahthat:

yes, the "wire" that goes to the hardtop is definately not the best there is.

on mine, one wire has melted/burned the plug...

if i ever feel so inclined, i'll rip out some original fiat wiring and replace it with something decent

I dont just have this for show you know!! Its a Fiat after all

Doc, I am surprised that you have not fitted a Halon system yet!!

That's some bulge you've got there Doc

A bulging leather pocket

Is that a face-off cover or are you just pleased to see me!!!

LOL what you two like heheheh. Its the head unit front panel

Thanks for cheering me up everyone!
I'm beginning to think this could be the start of a love hate relationship!

Shel

Shelxs said:

<<<snip>>>It turned out that the cable that operates the heated rear screen was a total bodge job 'not fiats finest' as he put it, all wrapped up with gaffer tape, and it had started to burn and melt.

<<<snip>>> the RAC man was great though, looked a bit nervous when he saw the car as he'd never been out to one before but soon had it sorted.

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LittleRedB said:

Knowing the build quality that FIAT are famed for it would not suprise me if it was original!!

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RnRollie said:

yes, the "wire" that goes to the hardtop is definately not the best there is.

on mine, one wire has melted/burned the plug...

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hmm gaffer tape, someones tampered with it mehtinks, the cable as stated isnt the best and I still haven't found a way of plugging it in and securing the covers without squeezing\ creasing it.

As for the RAC man never having seen one before, it's because they rarely go wrong or just that there are few on UK roads.

Zem said:

hmm gaffer tape, someones tampered with it mehtinks, the cable as stated isnt the best and I still haven't found a way of plugging it in and securing the covers without squeezing creasing it.

As for the RAC man never having seen one before, it's because they rarely go wrong or just that there are few on UK roads.

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They never go wrong - on the public roads 'cos they rarely make it out of the garage!!

Morning!

I checked my warranty last night and I don't think this is going to be covered. Any ideas how much it's likely to cost? Is it a job my local garage can do or do I need to go to an auto electrician?

Thanks
Shel

I would go to your local garage and let them decide whether they are capable enough Sounds to me like any decent garage should be able to fix it for you.

To be honest as long as its not too damaged you should only need to do a 'like for like' wire replacement, would take any half decent mechanic or ayto electrician 1/2 an hour to do...............

Good luck!

LittleRedB said:

To be honest as long as its not too damaged you should only need to do a 'like for like' wire replacement, would take any half decent mechanic or ayto electrician 1/2 an hour to do...............

Good luck!

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erm.. not if the wire is disappearing into the bulkhead somewhere

RnRollie said:

erm.. not if the wire is disappearing into the bulkhead somewhere

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Agreed, but thats not a skill issue - just hassle factor!!