New MOT laws regarding dash warning lights & the Pug 306....

[CitroJim]

I'm with you guys on this one, but I was very worried about the reports of people going to the main dealer time and again, and never getting it fixed.

The root problem here I think is that main dealer technicians are not by and large auto-electricians and unless they can replace a whole part as indicated by diagnostics then they're stumped. Replacing wiring is not generally in their skill-set unless they can replace a whole pluggable loom. Auto-electrics is a trade (like diesel injection) all on its own and in case of such faults it's best to visit a specialist or a very well regarded local 'old-school' indy.

[Shredder11]

My best friend used to be a Vauxhall trained mechanic and he often did auto electrics too, so I could ask him I suppose but no idea when he could do it.

[Oldpug]

I'm with you guys on this one, but I was very worried about the reports of people going to the main dealer time and again, and never getting it fixed. So how come the main dealer does not replace the wires and connectors with better quality ones, or clear the codes and reset the ECU? Is it a case of what people do not know about to ask for, they do not get? By the way, how long are the wires in question and where do they terminate?

I suspect that Dealers either repair whats there or replace with Peugeot Original parts or just wiggle the plug.You all know that Peugeot/Citroen have a competition at the factory,wire a car using the shortest and smallest wires??? The wire in question is not very long (never measured it?)There is a short wire from the pretensioner plug to a multi plug clipped under the seat,then a wire from that plug that disappears under the carpet (I`ve never followed it to its termination).Its that bit of wire and the plug UNDER the seat that is the problem.Its so simple and elementary,it has to be flexible to allow the seat to move back and forth and the wires must not tug at the plugs.A quality fixed plug under the seat with a good flexible wire to another quality join secured under the carpet. Also tell your wife to stop ramming her hand bag under the seat!!

[Shredder11]

Thanks and also no handbag activity in my car (single guy here) but I did for a few months keep a zipped case of CDs under the drivers seat. I take it I need to disconnect the battery before doing all of this, to avoid the air bags deploying?

[CitroJim]

I take it I need to disconnect the battery before doing all of this, to avoid the air bags deploying?

It's wise to despite the risk being low. Better to be safe than sorry...

[Shredder11]

Okay a quick update. I'm sure I have tried before to grip the plugs and wires under the seats to give a proper connection, but maybe not both seats. Last week I was attempting to get a clone ACTIA PSA XS Evolution diagnostic interface to work, which I still have not got working yet but I did have another go with the plugs and wires under the seats, especially the passenger front seat which has been moved back and forth a few times to its full travel. Anyway whatever I did has worked and the dash light for the time being is functioning properly and staying unlit; I just wish I could put my car in for an MOT right this minute! So for the next four months I will be anxiously watching the dash in case the dreaded light reappears.

[spider]

I think you can but you'd lose any extra time on it, I don't think you're forced to wait.

Simply as for example if you were selling it but the buyer wanted a new MOT as part of the sale...

[Shredder11]

Well all the new things I have had done since I got the car in March 2011, mean I hope to get it through at least another five MOTs. 4x new tyres; full exhaust + cat; 4x discs & pads; radiator + main cooling fan; cambelt; water pump; spark plugs; air filter; fuel filter; oil filter + decent oil; handbrake cable; lots of small stuff like bulbs and O/S Fog lamp unit etc. So I am already up to my eyeballs in debt and very committed to this lovely car! It still needs work doing though, such as sorting the air con system which has a leak or two.

[Northern_Mike]

I have to say this thread disturbs me slightly. It is a fix for the symptom rather than the underlying problem. The underlying problem is safety-related and the consequences could be serious.

Imagine you're in an accident and the airbag or seat pre-tensioners failed to trigger when they should have. Or, if the insurers inspected the car after an accident and found this 'modification' then I would imagine your insurance would be null and void.

You could be in a whole world of pain.

Yes, perhaps more than a whole world of pain, dead. Fix the car properly. I know I bodge my cars, but at least the essential bits, and the safety bits work.

[Citroenmad]

I have to say this thread disturbs me slightly. It is a fix for the symptom rather than the underlying problem. The underlying problem is safety-related and the consequences could be serious.

Imagine you're in an accident and the airbag or seat pre-tensioners failed to trigger when they should have. Or, if the insurers inspected the car after an accident and found this 'modification' then I would imagine your insurance would be null and void.

You could be in a whole world of pain.

Yes, perhaps more than a whole world of pain, dead. Fix the car properly. I know I bodge my cars, but at least the essential bits, and the safety bits work.

There is the risk to yourself and others who travel in the car, but what about when you sell the car and it goes to an unsuspecting person. I couldn't live with myself knowing that I had bodged a safety component and sold it to someone in that conditon. A fix should be a proper fix, I totally agree.

So yes, if the air bag light came on the day before an MOT and I couldnt fix the problem, I might try something like this to get it through. After that it would need to be sorted asap. Im not a safety concious freak but I like to know im as safe as possible when on the road.