We have a lovely 500 1.2 Lounge, 2 years old in April and only 12,000 miles. Faultless up to now, but last month the boot catch failed to operate and would only open with the key "plipper". The garage has told us it is a wiring fault and not covered under Warranty as we are now into the 3rd year! Has anyone had a similar fault? I have put an appeal to Fiat Customer Services. Thanks

they are correct, it isn't covered under warranty.

I've got a 58 plate 500 and i recently had a fault in the rear wiring. The wiper kept coming on at start up and the dealer said there was a fault in where the wiring joined the boot where the rubber bit is. The quote from the main dealer was over £700. I went to an independent italian car specialist and he charged me £110ish. There is a thread on here about it think it was "main body loom wiring" as title or something.....

Fiat CS finally called me back after I'd had it repaired and I got £100 of Fiat vouchers as compensation.

Your best bet is to do similar to me IMHO.

If you need any more details then PM me.

here you are

https://www.fiatforum.com/500/270045-body-loom-failure.html

Hi Heidi, thanks for the reply. I am hopeful that Fiat recognise that there is a fault and show some sympathy! Chris.

Good luck! Fiat CS took ages to come back to me and I couldn't wait

The repair is bound to be similar to mine. A good independent should be able to fix cheaply and quickly. I was about to be ripped off for about £450 (see previous thread) if it hadn't been for the great FF members advice on here. A useful bunch

Chris Brooks said:

I am hopeful that Fiat recognise that there is a fault and show some sympathy! Chris.

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Fat chance IMHO. I would venture to suggest it'd be far less hassle to just pay a decent autosparky to fix it. Not exactly fair I know but pragmatically I think it's your best way forward.

It sounds more like the actual switch/handel if it opens with the key. If it were the wiring it would not open with the remote key.

Chris Brooks said:

We have a lovely 500 1.2 Lounge, 2 years old in April and only 12,000 miles. Faultless up to now, but last month the boot catch failed to operate and would only open with the key "plipper". The garage has told us it is a wiring fault and not covered under Warranty as we are now into the 3rd year! Has anyone had a similar fault? I have put an appeal to Fiat Customer Services. Thanks

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RUI said:

It sounds more like the actual switch/handel if it opens with the key. If it were the wiring it would not open with the remote key.

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When I first read the OPs problem I was surprised to see wiring fault but RUI has picked up what I thought I read.

Could the OP verify that the boot does open with the remote control but does not open 'manually'.

RUI said:

It sounds more like the actual switch/handel if it opens with the key. If it were the wiring it would not open with the remote key.

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Although my wiper still functioned even with dodgy wiring so it may still be the wiring?

Had this fault on mine when it was nearly 2 years old, think they replaced micro switch within handle - the "soft" touch bit under the chrome, becomes solid instead of a mm of movement. Tt is a real muck catcher under there and, it's probably a good idea to clean it regularly once fixed.

Just because it's Boot handle related I will chip in with the fact that I had a non-working boot light. This was in fact traced to the same boot release mechanism and resulted in it [the whole thing] being changed under warranty.
A little random perhaps but it does seem this component part is vulnerable to faults.

Heidi said:

Although my wiper still functioned even with dodgy wiring so it may still be the wiring?

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Hello Heidi, just to let you know that Fiat CS have contacted me today and, hooray they will do the job under warranty! It has restored my faith in after sales service. And yes I smile when ever I drive the 500 (not that I get much chance that is!) Chris.

BRU5IIS said:

Just because it's Boot handle related I will chip in with the fact that I had a non-working boot light. This was in fact traced to the same boot release mechanism and resulted in it [the whole thing] being changed under warranty.
A little random perhaps but it does seem this component part is vulnerable to faults.

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Hello, many thanks for the input. Just heard that Fiat will do the job under warranty. phew!

BRU5IIS said:

Just because it's Boot handle related I will chip in with the fact that I had a non-working boot light. This was in fact traced to the same boot release mechanism and resulted in it [the whole thing] being changed under warranty.
A little random perhaps but it does seem this component part is vulnerable to faults.

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Hello, many thanks for the input. Just heard that Fiat will do the job under warranty. phew! __________________

Chris Brooks said:

Hello, many thanks for the input. Just heard that Fiat will do the job under warranty. phew!

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That's great news Chris.

Are Fiat changing just the handle or is there a wiring problem to fix as well ?

loveshandbags said:

That's great news Chris.

Are Fiat changing just the handle or is there a wiring problem to fix as well ?

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Job done, they replaced the switch, and the wiring loom that routes into the boot.

Chris Brooks said:

and the wiring loom that routes into the boot.

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interesting, the whole interior loom then?

Chris :tempt:Heidi

Maybe it's down to whoever you speak to at CS. Both cars in 3rd year dealer warranty but only one gets mended FOC.

That's so unfair

Gotta love it....