General Panda Dynamic Radio problem

[johne]

The problem is blaupunkt software in the audio unit,it is covered by one year blaupunkt (some models 2 years) warranty...NOT dealer or Fiat.

Please everyone direct your complaints at Blaupunkt.

Just to play devil's advocate :devil: Can you then apply the same thinking to other components that come with the car e.g. engine management systems covered by Bosch warranty, seat belts covered by TRW warranty. You could go on like that and Fiat or the selling dealer would be responsible for virtually nothing

 

[b1g1an]

Exactly my point, thank you.

 

[bobian81]

under the sale of goods act, goods MUST be fit for the purpose for which they were sold

 

[hpScot]

Exactly my point, thank you.

I think you've got him on the ropes Ian - a couple of legal body blows and a trading standards uppercut should finish him off.

But seriously folks, let's not forget 'weecar's original problem post - guess what we're really saying is that we don't really have a clue as to how to rectify the radio problem. I bet she's getting a bit frustrated by this ongoing Warranty validity debate.

Let's hope she gets sorted soon and lets us know the outcome.

 

[b1g1an]

Sorry, got a bit carried away there but I know my rights etc etc

Yes, hope it gets sorted and interested to know the answer as it could potentially effect all of us.

 

[Chris Corns]

Thanks to everybody who offered advice re the mystery Panda radio which could turn on all on it's own at night when the car was locked!
It seems that even though our Panda has 10K miles and two years under its belt some stern words from us and a 'growl' from the dealer has finaly prompted a sympathetic response from the folk at Fiat.
Chris and Mary Corns.

 

[T14086]

Sorry too, but that'll be where you're totally wrong, that's what manufacturers try on and is the period in which you SHOULD have no problem claiming but the law has a completely different view of this.

Audio units are covered by one year warranty,wether you growl or whatever at dealer or Fiat is up to you but please dont dispute what I am saying as I read the service news (with list of audio units & their warranties) letter again today and it says 1 year.
Consumer rights/trading standards,citizens advice whatever aside is a different matter that you may pursue if you so wish and I hope you get what you are 'fighting' for.I like all dealers can only go on the information provided to us.


Hpscot I'm glad you find this all so amusing but your comments are not welcome to the topic in question.

Chris Corns,good you got your problem sorted

Meantime I have to go out & switch the ideas radio off tonight before I go to bed as dont want flat battery again:bang:

 

[b1g1an]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not argueing with your quotes but all warranties are accompanied by the "this does not effect your statutory rights" statement and your statutory rights entitle you to more, this tactic does put off a lot of people from pursuing it though and why they do it.

Your get out as a dealer is the retailer is only liable for the first twelve months which is fair enough but it doesn't let Fiat, as manufacturer, get away with it. I would expect any dealer who gives a damn about customer service to pursue it on the customers behalf though!

I'm pleased to see Mr and Ms Corns have suceeded in getting them to honour their responsibility. No doubt Fiat would claim this is a gesture of goodwill, the gesture in fact being that they are trying to save face and before there are any more legal costs which would put a little claim like that in the shade.

 

[T14086]

Yes I see what your saying but its out of the dealers hands after the time is up so to speak.Best that can be done for the customer is to contact area warranty manager for a goodwill gesture which Fiat will often do (despite postings here to suggest otherwise) to 'keep' the customer.Dealers cant fight every little thing on customers behalf,staff are stretched enough as it is & would be getting constant calls about progress from customers...it simply wouldn't work.
End of the day the fault lies with Blaukpunt,if they so 'tough its out of its year warranty' then why should dealer pick up the tab...if you ran a business would you? Personally I think a year is adequate on audio units (you get years warranty from halfords etc on audio units etc) & I have myself been a 'victim' of this,I suppose in hindsight I could of went down the trading standards route but I simply accepted it.

'Johne'...manufactuers do claim from Bosch & other 'third parties' etc,Bosch themselves were locked in battle with Ford over disintergrating diesel fuel pumps worth literally millions on transits & also mercedes who used same bosch system.

 

[hpScot]

Hpscot I'm glad you find this all so amusing but your comments are not welcome to the topic in question.

Jeez......take a 'Chill Pill' mate - I was actually endeavouring to use humour to get the thread back on to the original technical query and away from the neverending warranty debate. I seem to recall the thread's title as being "Panda Dynamic Radio Problem" I'm sure the original poster was looking for technical help rather than a disertation on radio warranties.

Warranties are one thing - technical solutions are quite another. Just a pity that warranties seem to have more written about them than solutions to technical problems - guess that's a consequence of our claims conscious society.

 

[T14086]

I think you've got him on the ropes Ian - a couple of legal body blows and a trading standards uppercut should finish him off.

I would take that as sarcasm and a 'snide' swipe at dealers/Fiat.

I have already answered (see post #16) to which the 'technical answer' is for the radio to be removed & sent to Blaukpunt to update the radios software but they will not do this after one year (two on some models) from date of sale.

 

[hpScot]

Ok.....white flag - life's too short. Note to self - be aware of other Forum member's sensitivity.

My 'sarcasm' was simply aimed at the futility of debating warranties - not worth the paper they're written on IMHO.

In my line of work if my design proves to be defective and could have been forseen - I get sued - simple as that (and I pay exorbitant Professional indemnity insurance cover premiums each year to pay out if needed).

Seems to me that manufacturers hide behind the usual Warranty small print to get away with design faults rather than trying to reduce or indeed eliminate them - it's not rocket science after all. - Blaukpunt being a prime example here - not helpful when dealers simply say "ah yes, Blaukpunt audio is notorious" and rush off to defend the manufacturer by get the Warranty documentation out.

 

[johne]

'Johne'...manufactuers do claim from Bosch & other 'third parties' etc,Bosch themselves were locked in battle with Ford over disintergrating diesel fuel pumps worth literally millions on transits & also mercedes who used same bosch system.

Exactly the point I was trying to make, as you say, the motor manufacturer beats up their supplier and gets them to cough up for the campaign change or whatever remedial action is needed, but this is between the manufacurer and suppplier. The customer has bought a car with certain equipment and surely the car comes with the advertised manufacturer/dealer warranty of 2+1 years as I think it is at the moment

 

[hpScot]

Hello to all. I'm hoping someone here can shed some light on a wee problem that has raised its head in my '05 Panda Dynamic.

Has anyone had the same problem and if so, is it with the radio or the central locking system?

If it is the radio any idea about costs of repairs?

Thanks in advance
Weecar

Enough already with this ongoing Warranty debate hyjacking of this thread. Anyone remember this original post?

Warranties are clearly an important matter with many members have a greater or lesser extent of knowledge on the matter.:worship:

:idea: Perhaps a separate thread on Warranties could be posted in a 'General' section for all owners to consider and if needs be, debate?

LIGHTS TOUCH PAPER AND STEPS BACK

 

[acrosland]

Looks like I am about to join in all the fun, my Panda is 2 1/2 years old 12k on the clock, and must be lonely as it keeps putting its radio on!!!

Any pointers would help

 

[Dirk_Crisis]

Short version:

It needs a software update. Dealers don't cover audio after the first year. You could try either arguing the toss with the dealer or sending it directly to Blaupunkt. On the face of it, you'll have to pay though unless you're good at arguing.

It needs to be fixed because it can drain your battery overnight.

 

[CheeseMaster]

Looks like I am about to join in all the fun, my Panda is 2 1/2 years old 12k on the clock, and must be lonely as it keeps putting its radio on!!!

Any pointers would help

The only "solution" I have found is to set it to switch off when the motor isn't running. I wonder if it is possible to put some other radio behind the face of it, or run a button switch inline with the power supply or something.

It *seems* worse after a lot of rain.

 

[Dirk_Crisis]

See, I did try the ignition timer trick but it didn't work for me. You could also try turning off the traffic announcement thing or just whip the fuse out (I think it's in the box under the dash?) until it gets properly fixed.

 

[T14086]

It needs a software update. Dealers don't cover audio after the first year.

Fiat not dealers dont cover it after one (some models 2 years) year...dealers are the ones who get the **** from customers because they didnt read their warranty properly.

Most people buy a aftermarket CD player & adaptor plate....cheaper in long run then refit old unit when selling car....normally back to a dealer

 

[acrosland]

The fact I paid the extra to get the uprated sound system with the 'Sound' pack and the extended warranty does cause annoyance when something goes wrong. However I took the fuse out and left it for the day, just put it back in and so far the radio is still off