406 Wiring Help Please

[Top Cat]

Sorry I am new so hope I am posting in the correct section.

I have a 406 W reg

In February this year, my brake lights and other electrics kept coming on all the time whilst driving.

I took it to two garages who could not identify the fault.

I then took it to my local Peugeot garage. They said the wiring in the Footwell was corroded due to a leak and needed replacing and charged me £274 for fixing it.

When I looked at the invoice the next day, it didn't actually state that they had repaired the leak so I phoned them. I was told the mechanic wasn't in but they will have fixed the leak and they would confirm this and call me back. They didnt call back.

About 3 weeks ago, it started to happen again. They took my car in the next day, phoned me up saying it was ok and it was an intermitant problem. When I picked the car up it was fine but the following day the airbag light kept flashing all the time. A couple of days later, I was driving on the motorway and the electrics started going mad (i.e. all flashing) and the brake lights were on again while I was driving.

I phoned the garage on the Tuesday (as it was bank holiday) and they told me they couldnt fit me in until 5th September. I told them the car was not safe to drive so they said bring it in in the morning and we will see if we get any cancellations.

After many phone calls I was told it was being looked at last wednesday and they would phone me back later in the day. They didnt phone. I phoned them twice on Thursday and Friday. I eventually spoke to a chap on the Friday who told me it was the same problem as last time and to speak to Dave in the morning (Saturday) as he knew more about it. I left two messages for Dave on Saturday. but he has only just called me back now. (Tuesday).

He is stating that it is not the same wires that were corroded as last time, it is a different set (harness), although they are both under the footwell. He also stated they still don't know where the leak is. I told him that I was told on the Friday by another chap that it was the same problem but he (Dave) states that the wires they fixed last time are sealed up and it is another wiring harness that is corroded.

My problem is that I believe they should have fixed the leak last time, not just fixed the wires as it did not fully cure the problem. They want to charge me another £252.50 just to fix the wires then they will investigate where the leak is coming from and charge me for fixing that too.

I am not sure if they are just trying to pull a fast one as I am female and don't know about cars. But, I don't have the money because I was made redundant and I am reluctant to pay as I believe they should have fixed the leak last time when they charged me £274.

What should I do?

Sorry for the long thread, wasnt sure how else to explain it.

Thanks

[Whistler]

Do not refuse to pay to the small men, the best effect you can cause is to go in on there busiest day and start off with a little rant on how you feel youve been ripped off by the cowboy ways of your local dealer, state you will never use the again for any future repairs or purchase of vehicles which you were considering in the next 12 months, after this stage demand to to speak with the manager at the time, start of explaining the situation with a slight grivence etc, then after about 10 mins of discussing insist on seeing the owner, show that you are extremely upset with you customer relations etc, usually commotion will end in either your price being very well discounted or even for free, if this fails state that the company will be hearing from your solicitors, threat of this could also implicate many bonuses for you. Please note this is only a guideline, how you handle the situation is solely down to you.