Stop/Start Not Working - been told not covered by warranty?

[pcmaczone]

Have had an issue with the stop/start on our DS3 e-HDi 110 Dsport for a few months now. It stopped working and we were getting an engine error warning on the dash. Finally got it into the dealer last week and they ran the diagnostics on it and said it was some sort of regulator that controls the voltage for the stop/start. They said they identified the part and would order it in and we booked the car in for yesterday. So far so good right? Wrong!

About 15 months ago we hit a large pot hole, not at great speed but it did pop the wheel arch liner on the passenger side and broke it and also pushed the wing out but that was easily popped back in. The car had been fine since then, not problems, no errors nothing. Now the dealer is saying they found a crack on some metal something or other due to that incident and because of this the fault with the Stop/Start might not be covered under warranty. I don't know what crack they are talking about as these service reps never seem to know the technical details. It was left with them going to take photo's to show me and again the warning about the warranty issue.

Now, I have had two services since that pot hole incident, not at the main dealer but a local Citroen specialists. They did note damage to the plastic belly pan but there was no mention of any "cracks' in the metal at all and I emphasize the stop start was working fine all this time.

So my question for the techs amongst you is, how could the above prevent the stop/start from working? What bearing would the damage to the wheel liner have on the voltage regulator for the Stop/Start system?

I should also point out this is not the first issue we had with this dealer. A couple of years ago I took our Citroen C4 VTR+ in to have the air con recharged. They said it was all fine and I picked the car up. Got half way home and no air con at all. Wasn't just not cooling slightly but simply was not working. I took the car back in and they told me next day that the condenser needed replacing. I asked why, if they had tested the system that this did not show up? To which they had no answer. They quoted me something like £450 to replace the condenser so I took it to my local Citroen specialists and they did it for £150. Also had another Citroen dealer tell me my brakes and battery needed replacing when in fact the brakes were fine and the battery was only a few weeks old. So my confidence in Citroen dealers is not exactly high. I only took the car in to them this time because of the warranty.

Would appreciate your views.

Thanks

[BeefMasta]

Take it to a different dealer.

[Bigfeet]

I would have to agree here, your best bet is to avoid this dealer and use an alternative agent.

The dealer there might be trying to wiggle because the reserve battery, I believe, is mounted inside the passenger wing.

[pcmaczone]

Thanks for the replies guys. I had a reply from the dealer. They said the Voltage Retention Device is corroded. Apparently there is a splash plate that normally sits in front of it and this has moved out of place due to the knock from the pot hole? They want £996.88 to replace it! Still trying to catch my breath from that one!

Obviously I'm not paying just short of a grand. I still have fork out £109.23 for the diagnostics

Big issue I have is this is a lease car and due to go back in four weeks. Don't think I can hand it back with an engine warning light on the dash and no stop/start working So one way or another I'm going to have to fix it.

Got a feeling this is an expensive part?

[Toxic]

Last resort Put in claim with the DoE. They caused the issue.

[Toxic]

Last resort Put in claim with the DoE. They caused the issue.

Any damage due to a pot hole can be claimed against the road services.

[pcmaczone]

Sure I could put in a claim but that would take forever. I don't have £996 to spend on getting it fixed at the dealer so need to find another solution. Does anyone know exactly what this part is? I did a search but couldn't find anything. The dealer is calling it a voltage retention device but that brings up nothing. Bigfeet described it as a "reserve battery" but that didn't produce any results either. I guess I can find out from the dealers tomorrow but wanted to do a little research to see how much the part actually costs.

[pmk]

Could try our local parts dealer www.partsworld-uk.com

[pmk]

If you are a full member you can get a 10% discount.

[pcmaczone]

Thanks but couldn't find anything there. Got a feeling this is going to be one of the those parts that doesn't go down very often so is hardly ever listed

[pcmaczone]

Just had a thought. Would I not be able to put in a claim on my own insurance? It's fully comp and I have never made a claim in the past 30 years. Maybe now is the time?

[pcmaczone]

To answer my own question. Insurance won't pay out as they have a clause that you must report any accident within 48hrs and also they won't pay for damage caused by driving the vehicle after an accident. So I guess it's back to trying to locate that part

[Toxic]

You quote to them as "an unknown 3rd party" has damaged your car. They then have to pay

[billy smith]

try browsing the breakers ads on ebay im sure u might find the same model as yours being split up then get em to qoute u a price for the parts u need then get ya garage to fit it

[pcmaczone]

I did a search for this "voltage retention device" which is what the dealer is calling it but can't find that anywhere. Perhaps they will shed more light on it when I collect the car later today. Breakers is probably a good route to go down. Must be able to find this part out there somewhere.