[Robbiemc]

Hey guys
I've only had the Ampera (brand new) for three days and have now discovered that the windscreen washers aren't working
I've obviously checked the washer reservour (full) but I can't even hear the pump noise when I'm pulling the lever towards me, so presume it's a fuse gone or some sort of wiring issue.

Apart from this minor issue the car is exceeded expectations, so I'm very happy overall, but slightly annoyed that something so simple wasn't part of the pre-delivery inspection.

Will this be something that a local Vauxhall dealer will be able to investigate? I don't want to have to travel the hour to Wimbledon if possible.

 

[RickMGoldie]

You would think they would allow that, wouldn't you. But they don't. Make use of the collect and return service and rest assured the main man at Wimbledon is Norman Bosher (Ampera engineer) and he has done a stirling job on mine over the 2 1/2 years since I bought mine from them. Once they let me have their demonstrator as a loaner for over a week while they did loads of upgrades and testing on mine, all covered by the lifetime warranty. So I didn't have to buy any petrol for the courtesy car.

 

[RickMGoldie]

I'll have to look you up next time I'm over Hollies ave way. We can compare models, and ownership tips and stuff.

 

[hopbackguy]

I would check the fuse first, as it's so easy But you may already have done that of course.....

 

[Robbiemc]

Thanks for the tips guys. I've not yet checked the fuse, but was going to. Can I just get a replacement at Halfords if it turns out to be that?

Rick, you're more than welcome!

 

[Robbiemc]

Well. I've just been outside to check and the result was...unexpected. The fuse is missing!
I had a close look at the Owners manual which says Fuse 40 is for 'Windscreen washers', but it's clearly missing. What on earth?!

There are no 'spares' in the space provided, but that wouldn't do me much good anyway as I have no idea what size/rating of fuse I should put in there anyway.

Can anyone advise? I'm guessing these things don't cost much and it would certainly be a heck of a lot easier to drive the 2 miles to my nearest Halfords to get a replacement then to shlep all the way to Wimbledon and have to wait for them to sort it.

What do you think?

 

[hopbackguy]

Missing!!! Eh? Thats a dealer error undoubtedly. Hang on I'll go look at mine for the rating and tell you.

 

[hopbackguy]

Its a 10A mini-fuse.

 

[Robbiemc]

Thanks guys. I did just call the My Ampera line and she said she'd get the dealer to call me back to discuss. Just to be sure, it's Fuse 40, which is the last fuse on that row - can you confirm that for me?

If I do just go and get one from Halfords, are they all the same, or are they manufacturer specific?

Thanks!

 

[Ian]

Don't forget to get a small range of other values of the same type of fuse whilst you are there.

Fuses always blow at the most inopportune time and a collection of spares will let you get on with minimal disturbance.

There are often places to store spares in the fuse box and also a tool for extracting them from their socket easily (at least there is in my PiP).

 

[hopbackguy]

Yes, fuse 40 as per the manual. It's the form factor that's important, a 10a fuse is a 10a fuse whoever makes it.

 

[Robbiemc]

Thanks, Mike.
I'll nip down tomorrow morning to Halfords and report my findings. I'll certainly have a few stern questions to ask the service manager (assuming he calls back). How can this possibly have passed the PDI?

Fortunately the rest of the car appears to be working correctly, and I'm very impressed so far - just not so with my (first) Vauxhall dealer experience (maybe I'll write a post on that, it may be 'therapeutic' !)

 

[Paul]

I remember late one night a fuse went on one of my cars, it took several "garages" before get a new one. They had coffee, crisps, papers, all kinds of junk. Fuses, not a chance. What a world we live in, kids today and all that stuff...

 

[AndyG]

I had the main light fuse for my Navara blow ( stupid tow ball fitter) leaving me stranded on the M1.
Nothing of any use in the service's so ended up ringing the AA. They could not find the fuse box with the light fuse in.
so spent about 30 mins on the phone and internet before he managed to find where Nissan had hidden it. It was under the first fuse box that he looked in carefully disguised. Why design something as important as a fuse box and hide it Its not just Vauxhall, all of the manufacturers sometimes do doppy things

 

[Ian]

Of course in an emergency you may temporarily move a fuse of equal or higher value from a circuit you don't need, radio, air-con etc.

There are some suave fuses around, some with led indicators to show they have blown and so on and not too expensive. Not really necessary but a neat idea.

 

[Robbiemc]

Success!
I had a call from the dealer first thing this morning who were at a loss to explain the removal of the fuse (and just mumbled an apology when I asked how this could've got through the PDI). They initially wanted to just book me in to get it looked at, but I explained I simply want them to pop one in the post, especially as it's a user-serviceable part.
They agreed.

However, I stopped by Halfords anyway and picked up a couple of 10amp fuses - fitted and voila, working washers again! Quite a good spread of spray, aren't then?!

Thanks for your help guys. It made up for the broken Chargemaster pole at Wisley today which took 30 minutes of my life with the support girl trying to get it to work. That was my first experience too, so not a brilliant introduction to public charging! (The adjacent charger worked first time, however).

Anyway, onwards