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New giuliette, some issues

6K views 73 replies 14 participants last post by  66kegsti 
#1 ·
Hi to all

Just bought a few days ago a used Giuiette 2011, 2.0 from a dealer in the UK. Test drove it, seemed to be ok.
Obviously if something comes up it HAS to be after you drive off.
The next day I realized that it seems the AC not to be working. It can get the air warm but can not get it cold at all. What are the chances that it just needs gas and how likely it is that there is a more sinister damage to it?

Day after that noticed the mileage flashing thing (I am not sure if it existed from the day I got it, but it would be hard to understand at the moment that the flashing had a diagnostic component to it). I tried to do a lot of reading about it. And I probably tied it to a blue&me issue. The "window" and "telephone/bluetooth" buttons don't seem to respond (initially I thought the buttons were just fubared), the aux/usb buttons light up and are usable, and the rest of the buttons seem to work ok. Does that mean that the blue&me unit is just malfunctioning and needs a replacement? If so how do I do it? I spent a fair amount of time today to find any schematics, video or anything but not luck whatsoever. Also the AM radio channels seem to work but the FM not at all. Only today when I was in a different town I was able to locate ONE station. Related?

Also as an aside, I noticed a random cable that plugs into the cigarette lighter, I traced it and I saw that it goes towards the glove compartment, then underneath the plastics on the borders between the windscreen and the passenger's door and from there going upwards to the roof. (didn't follow it any further as I don't wanna take something out that I might not be able to put back the way it is). Plugging that thing or not hasn't made a noticable difference. It is obviously a modification and not something official but what the hell could it be?

Anyone has any idea of some of these issues as least to guide me in the proper direction of what could be going on?
 
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#45 ·
Ok, since I got the car I was probably gonna drive for the first time during the night to go to a supermarket. I got in the car and it gave me an alarm unavailable error. Wasn't sure if it was relevant because prior to that I was testing a new replacement casing I was using for the remote and I ended up long-distance lock and unlocking all the time so I thought that maybe I de-activated it by accident. Turned it on then off again and the warning didn't come up.
Started driving, noticed something was off. Went to check, left headlight doesn't turn on. I had checked all of them a few days ago and it was working fine. This is starting to get ridiculous.
 
#48 · (Edited)
On my daily morning commute today s/s worked like 4-5 times. I don't really care much about that to be honest, just mentioning it in any case it gives any information about the battery's state. Also this morning got the alarm unavailable again. And also weirdly the back wiper started going on as soon as i turned on the car (everything was disabled relating to that) and didn't stop until a full minute or 2. Was that due to a particular reason? I am starting to understand why the car was sold cheap.
 
#50 ·
By the way what I thought might be normal but reading more about it i realize it might not. When you turn the back wipers off are they supposed to park themselves and stop "soon"? Mine keep going for maybe like 5-6 times and then randomly stop, sometimes in the middle of the screen so you have to "time" it as not to block your view.
 
#54 ·
My rear wiper motor doesn’t like getting wet, which is inconvenient. A little water leaks around the seal on the rear window -I can see it in the recess where the boot lock closes - and that makes it act up. Usually ok when the motor is dry though. I must get round to sealing it up.

Before going looking at control modules etc isn’t the cheapest option to put a battery on it and see what happens?
 
#56 · (Edited)
Today it did start/stop like a lot... would that indicate a decent battery? didn't get any more warnings or weird **** again but of course that doesn't mean the battery is decent.. Back where I come from I have multi-meters and several things to test and do on my own, but unfortunately here in the UK I am a bit... stripped.. My plan is to take it to an AC (+other) specialist over the weekend but the more I think about it the more inclined I am to just sending it back. I am a scientist and not superstitious at all but I honestly believe some cars are cursed. And if already within a week all these things keep popping up god knows what else will be in a few months down the line. I think of taking a risk and re-rolling a die and trying my luck at a different one.

EDIT: It could be that majority of these problems is just a re-gas and a battery change which is quite menial. The problem however if it is not, then it could end up in a very difficult hunt to find what each is and the fact that it was "cheaper" to buy at first might be come very expensive very fast down the line... I ll think about it and see
 
#58 ·
I've been checking online some other alfa's and I came across one that looks interesting but in the last MOT it had this warning:
"Nearside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated"
I am not a car guy as obviously most of you might have figured out by now. :)
How important (and costly) is a warning like that?
 
#59 ·
Rear wiper is most likely the BCM at fault and probably as a result of broken tailgate wiring. Mine was the same it would park where it wanted at times and others just work when not switched on. Hatch wiring repaired and dealer replaced BCM.
As for other issues could be battery dying and or poor earths as already mentioned plus a regal required.
The CV boot is unrelated but will need changing at some point.
Take it back to dealer and either get all problems resolved or money back
 
#60 ·
“I am not a car guy as obviously most of you might have figured out by now. ”

Would I right in gathering that both you and the dealer knew the car was priced low and might need a bit of sorting by a “car guy” and it would be OK ?
If not and it was sold in good faith I’d suggest you ask for a refund and look for another Giulietta.
 
#61 ·
I don't think I'd be taking this back if I was the dealer. I'd maybe fix the wiper, stick a new battery in it and do a proxy reset then send you on your way and then stop answering the phone.
It's just not worth selling old cars as peoples expectations are so high. Sold as seen I'm afraid. However, All the listed problems are a fairly well trodden path of diagnosis and repair. This is totally fixable by yourself if you throw a bit of time and money at it.

Sent from my BBB100-2 using Tapatalk
 
#64 · (Edited)
I am not an expert but my understanding is that based on the Consumer Rights Act, considering that the car has been in my possession only for less than 2 weeks then it is within my rights to return it and request a refund. The car was advertised having a working AC unit, bluetooth system etc. It obviously does not. I gave him the advertised money he was expecting. He did not provide me with the "accurate description" of the advertised car. Now you might say well you should have checked those things out before you paid for it and you might have a small point. However when the day is colder than what the AC unit can provide for then it is difficult to gauge if it is working well or not. Additionally it is obviously unrealistic to expect someone to "examine" a car in its entirety and if there are any faults to have them all diagnosed before you drive off the lot.

EDIT: Also what an absolute terrible advice on "stop answering the phone". I am a veterinarian. Should I also incorporate it in my discharge protocols? "Here's your meds, your collar and if the dog develops any complications or starts bleeding at any point don't bother calling me because I am not gonna pick it up".
 
#63 · (Edited)
I have a 2010 car with only 85k miles on the clock. Anthos, I don't think you've stated the mileage on your car but I do nearly all of my own maintenance and it probably would only fetch £3k at the very most. I've done the rear hatch looms, EGR valve cover, EGR valve, aux belts,timing belts and water pump, you name it my bella gets it. The car goes like a train and is probably more powerful than any new car you can buy for less than £30k. If you sort the car for even a £1k you might end up with something like my car that I know I can't replace for a reliable car for less than £8k. Long term ownership means you end up with a lower value car but can really pay off, provided the car gets the right maintenance. The brand does suffer from huge depreciation but look after the car and it will look after you. Sounds like your battery was low but regular driving has brought it back to start stop levels?
 
#66 ·
As far as I see it you are covered under the SOG act so seller has to repair,refund or replace.
As for a poster saying if I was a dealer I wouldn’t accept car back that’s nonsense as a dealer they are legally obliged to do just that if car is not fit for purpose etc.
Persue the dealer for a fix or refund.
 
#68 ·
So advertising a car as dual zone climate control when the AC doesn't work at all and saying that it also has blue&me telephone capabilities when it also doesn't is being pragmatic? And then you say how *I* should be the one to go around fixing them? Do you think if these issues were made aware by the dealer I would have signed anything or walked away? My plan was not to get a car and then spend a season's of weekends driving it to mechanics and "hope" that the problems get sorted for a reasonable price. I find your reasoning extremely ludicrous.
 
#70 ·
I think the point is you have two choices; fix it yourself or go back to the dealer. The practical and inescapable problem with the latter is that dealers are not known for giving an easy ride on such things and therefore a choice needs to be made between the two options. Time persuading the dealer or time getting it fixed yourself.

That’s not to say ‘tough luck’ but only to point out the practicalities.

You do have the protection of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, but it is time limited. And again it involves sometime to return/reject the car.
 
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