From: Mark W on

"Mr Cellophane" <mrcellophane(a)hotmail.co.uk> wrote in message
news:ainqi.5298$By5.2754(a)text.news.blueyonder.co.uk...
> Hello all after some guidance.
>
> My son had his car an x reg Ford Focus Vtech broken into and despite the
> car not being stolen the wiring was interfered with as if it was trying to
> be hotwired.
>

That'll be the Vtech on-board 'my first ECU' then. Naughty thing, trying to
be hotwired!


From: Dave Plowman (News) on
In article <ainqi.5298$By5.2754(a)text.news.blueyonder.co.uk>, Mr Cellophane
<mrcellophane(a)hotmail.co.uk> wrote:
> Hello all after some guidance.

> My son had his car an x reg Ford Focus Vtech broken into and despite the
> car not being stolen the wiring was interfered with as if it was trying
> to be hotwired.

> he has been told that the entire wiring in the front end of the car
> needs to be replaced due to the damage caused.

> he has been quoted �2500 for this and told it can only be carried out by
> a ford garage.

> NE1 with experience of this type of thing ne1 got any advice on it in
> general.

> I realise its scant information to go on I am just really contesting the
> fact he has been told (by more than one "garage" in quotes as both are
> suspect in my view. One is the local authority garage the other was
> quick fit!) it has to be done only by a ford garage.

> If it does cost �2500 then it is likely to be written off as its only
> worth �2500 at top end (actually I think its worth a bit less maybe
> �1800 he bought it for �2150 after a bit of negotiation on the price)

It depends on what part of the loom(s) are damaged. Most cars have several
which plug together. If it is the main one which runs throughout most of
the car it could be a deal of work to replace. If a sub assembly which,
say, only does the engine it could be relatively simple. You need to
identify which it is by the wire colours and then look at a parts
catalogue for the car. A loom from a breaker's yard shouldn't be that
expensive, although make sure it is for an identical model.
However, any loom can be repaired. It would however require a skilled
person to do the job correctly. Most mechanics and so called auto
electricians bodge such things. The standard red blue and yellow
electrical crimp terminals most use are really not up to the job and
proper car connectors should be used instead. This is a source of such
connectors and the correct wire if needed.

http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-onlinestore/home/homepage.php

--
*A woman drove me to drink and I didn't have the decency to thank her

Dave Plowman dave(a)davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.
From: PC Paul on
Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
> Most mechanics and so called auto
> electricians bodge such things. The standard red blue and yellow
> electrical crimp terminals most use are really not up to the job and
> proper car connectors should be used instead. This is a source of such
> connectors and the correct wire if needed.
>
> http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-onlinestore/home/homepage.php
>

I'm curious, I've had a browse around and they have the standard ranges
of red,blue,yellow crimp connectors, scotchloks and choc-strips. Which
of those do you call 'proper car connectors'?
From: moray on

"Mr Cellophane" <mrcellophane(a)hotmail.co.uk> wrote in message
news:ainqi.5298$By5.2754(a)text.news.blueyonder.co.uk...
> Hello all after some guidance.
>
> My son had his car an x reg Ford Focus Vtech broken into and despite the
> car not being stolen the wiring was interfered with as if it was trying to
> be hotwired.
>
> he has been told that the entire wiring in the front end of the car needs
> to be replaced due to the damage caused.
>
> he has been quoted �2500 for this and told it can only be carried out by a
> ford garage.
>
> NE1 with experience of this type of thing ne1 got any advice on it in
> general.
>
> I realise its scant information to go on I am just really contesting the
> fact he has been told (by more than one "garage" in quotes as both are
> suspect in my view. One is the local authority garage the other was quick
> fit!) it has to be done only by a ford garage.
>
> If it does cost �2500 then it is likely to be written off as its only
> worth �2500 at top end (actually I think its worth a bit less maybe �1800
> he bought it for �2150 after a bit of negotiation on the price)

As others have said, it'll depend on what's been damaged.
If it's just the wiring, a decent auto spark should be able to sort it, but
if connectors are damaged, then it's a totally different thing. Ford don't
generally supply connectors or repair kits, but some repair kits are
available from other sources.

If it does need a new loom, then you're talking about a complete front end
strip down, which will most likely involve the complete dash to be stripped
and removed, aswell as various bits under the bonnet, and no doubt a few
other trim panels. The loom itself will only be a few hundred pound, but
it's the labour involved that makes it so expensive.
I would advise against trying to swap a complete loom from a breakers, as
even seemingly identical cars can have different looms fitted (it only needs
a slight spec change, for a connector or two to be different). However, if
you need certain connectors, a breakers is as good a source as any, and just
cut what you need of the loom.

For repairing the wires, the best repair is done using heat shrink butt
connectors. They're quite expensive, but are what most manufacturers supply
for patching in repair kits for wiring looms. Just strip the wires back,
crimp them on, then heat them up, and they'll shrink on and the glue will
bubble out the ends, making a fully sealed repair.


From: DervMan on
"Mr Cellophane" <mrcellophane(a)hotmail.co.uk> wrote in message
news:QTCqi.5649$By5.4618(a)text.news.blueyonder.co.uk...
>
> "JB" <nil(a)spam.net> wrote in message
> news:5gug50F3hfi1aU1(a)mid.individual.net...
>>
>> "Mr Cellophane" <mrcellophane(a)hotmail.co.uk> wrote in message
>> news:ainqi.5298$By5.2754(a)text.news.blueyonder.co.uk...
>>> Hello all after some guidance.
> Where are you located?
>
> Thank you for your helpful response (sorry conor I have a life that
> occupies my time when you going to go get one?)

The point is that writing, "ne1" makes you look stupid and lazy, even if you
are otherwise not. Moreso given the length of the rest of your post.

Also Conor has a bee under his hood about such things... :p

> Birmingham is where its located
>
> and Chris also thank you for the information on the other news group, you
> are correct I did not know one existed.



--
The DervMan
www.dervman.com