Hey all,

 

I recently bought a 2013 1.6 TDI Roomster, and I knew full well about the issues I'm about to list. My thinking was that even if it gets me to the February MOT, I've actually saved time and money so I can't complain. The previous owner loved this car, but he is a PhD student so not exactly flush with time or money to fix it up! She has a pile of receipts, was serviced in October, brakes and suspension replaced last year, etc. The MOT advisories reads;

 

• Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement o/s/f wish bone rear mount bush starting to split (5.3.4 (a) (i))
• Play in n/s and o/s of steering rack inner joints

 

I am looking for a ballpark of what I can expect to pay should these become more of an issue at MOT time, such that the necessary repairs are carried out. Also I'm on the west coast of Scotland, so I will be adding 20% on top of your suggested figures.

 

The other (known) issues with the car are;

 

• Handbrake cable needs adjusting/replacing 
• None of the four electric windows works (allegedly the drivers side went first, then the passenger side, then the ones in the back)
• The boot has a big rusty hole around where the switch ought to be, meaning that it's a risk when you open the boot, the switch isn't always operable, and it's only a matter of time before it ceases operation altogether.

 

The handbrake will be getting seen to today by my spanner, hoping that if I can pull that in slightly we are golden until the MOT, at which point that will see me out of £120 odd... How easy are Roomsters for new handbrake cables? I've seen a video of a Fabia getting done and it looks like a hell of a  lot of effort.

 

Can I get thoughts on electric windows? I have read through many a thread on this site on electric windows and they seem to be an incredibly common problem. I don't mind them not working at the moment, but at some point it would be nice to use them! Do you have a fault-finding route you could share? I'm happy to look at that myself and see if I can fix it alone.

 

With regards to the boot, I have sourced a replacement, I just need to buy it and swap it out. I have located a helpful-looking video on this site with a Fabia, I believe. But that should be a straightforward enough job for two people, right?

 

Lastly, I want to change the bulbs in the lights because I find them about as useful as holding a candle up. I've heard Osram Night Breakers are a way to go, but looked on a few parts sites and it's asking me if I have the single or the double headlights model. I'm assuming if I go and have a look, I'll be able to tell?

 

If you got this far, thank you for reading! Any help and insight would be very helpful. Happy to keep you updated on the work too.

 

Thanks,

 

Theo

Broken wires in the door hinge area are super-common on this platform. Start with the front doors.

 

Handbrake cable unless it has snapped is likely to be a problem with the self adjusting mechanism on one of the rear brake calipers.

 

Have a look at the compensator bracket where the two cables have their adjustment, I bet its over at an angle.

On 20/12/2024 at 16:39, Breezy_Pete said:

Broken wires in the door hinge area are super-common on this platform. Start with the front doors.

 

It's certainly on the list, will take a look in the new year! Thanks

On 20/12/2024 at 17:20, J.R. said:

Handbrake cable unless it has snapped is likely to be a problem with the self adjusting mechanism on one of the rear brake calipers.

 

Have a look at the compensator bracket where the two cables have their adjustment, I bet its over at an angle.

It IS over at an angle. I wonder what caused that... That's annoying...
Anything I can do to rescue it?

Not sure I made myself very clear, but my reason for mentioning the wiring breaks in the door hinge vicinity was related to the non-functioning electric windows.

 

 

30 minutes ago, TheoB said:

It IS over at an angle. I wonder what caused that..

 

On 20/12/2024 at 18:20, J.R. said:

Handbrake cable unless it has snapped is likely to be a problem with the self adjusting mechanism on one of the rear brake calipers.

 

Osram Nightbreakers are okay as an upgrade, but the last couple of sets ive bought have barely lasted the 12month warranty. i went back normal h7s in my octy after the last failure, and to be honest going back to standard, there really isnt much difference other than the light is "bluer" on the Osrams, despite the claims.

halogen bulbs are just a bit crap, but led replacements are pain for other drivers.

 

given its a 1.6tdi, Im assuming its a cayc engine code. keep an eye out for a flashing glow plug light after about 5 seconds of foot off in gear coasting following a decent run at a sustained speed. if you get that, with no limp mode and can scan codes that says its a maf error, its not. its level 1 of the egr starting to fail and stick open. 

I really need to do up that diagosis guide following my recent trials with mine (now blanked and coded out)

On 21/12/2024 at 21:20, J.R. said:

 

 

Sorry, was meant to read "I had wondered what caused that"

On 21/12/2024 at 23:05, mac11irl said:

Osram Nightbreakers are okay as an upgrade, but the last couple of sets ive bought have barely lasted the 12month warranty. i went back normal h7s in my octy after the last failure, and to be honest going back to standard, there really isnt much difference other than the light is "bluer" on the Osrams, despite the claims.

halogen bulbs are just a bit crap, but led replacements are pain for other drivers.

 

given its a 1.6tdi, Im assuming its a cayc engine code. keep an eye out for a flashing glow plug light after about 5 seconds of foot off in gear coasting following a decent run at a sustained speed. if you get that, with no limp mode and can scan codes that says its a maf error, its not. its level 1 of the egr starting to fail and stick open. 

I really need to do up that diagosis guide following my recent trials with mine (now blanked and coded out)

Hey! Good to know, thanks

No flashing glow plug light, no limp mode, no code!

On 21/12/2024 at 21:10, Breezy_Pete said:

Not sure I made myself very clear, but my reason for mentioning the wiring breaks in the door hinge vicinity was related to the non-functioning electric windows.

 

 

Aye I understoof. So I have read all of the Roomster electric window threads on here haha, I was hoping there was a fault-finding route that I should take, i.e. start by looking at the physical wires, if not that, then.... etc. Passenger window is currently working  no idea how or why - step dad did something mysterious.

Often the first step is the only one required. Look at the wiring in driver's door hinge area. See if anything is broken.

Roomster has had at least three different versions of window motors systems through the production years, so not all of the advice you'll have come across will be relevant. 

 

Does the switch panel for the windows on driver's door light up when vehicle lights are on?

If it doesn't that may indicate a failed earth connection which is also crucial for the switch functions.

 

On 26/12/2024 at 16:50, Breezy_Pete said:

Often the first step is the only one required. Look at the wiring in driver's door hinge area. See if anything is broken.

Roomster has had at least three different versions of window motors systems through the production years, so not all of the advice you'll have come across will be relevant. 

 

Does the switch panel for the windows on driver's door light up when vehicle lights are on?

If it doesn't that may indicate a failed earth connection which is also crucial for the switch functions.

 

Just awaiting some dry weather which is also less likely to induce frostbite!

The passenger window is currently working after pressing it, then holding it up for about 5 seconds, then down for 5 and up again. Thanks to my stepdad for that... He also checked the main switch (drivers) and found it wasn't working  - there was no continuity across any of the wires or switch positions. All fuses are working.

I'll repeat the above question;

Does the driver's side switch panel backlighting work when the vehicle lights are on?

 

11 hours ago, Breezy_Pete said:

I'll repeat the above question;

Does the driver's side switch panel backlighting work when the vehicle lights are on?

 

Sure does

Hello,

So I finally have time to maybe address these not-working windows.

To recap:

There is power to the driver's side switch (it lights up)
The passenger window works (I'm scared to wind it all the way down though!)

I have started by trying to pull the rubber covers off the wires at the hinges of the rear doors, but they're so stiff I can't actually pull them back enough to examine the state of the wiring... I was hoping to find some breaks in the wires that I could use a repair kit on.

Any thoughts?
Also, when I come to messing about with any of the wires, should I be disconnecting the battery?

Thanks!
Theo

Update - everything now works except the driver's window :) sounds like the motor is making an attempt.