zbrett

A couple of weeks ago I decided to install a dash cam hard wire kit for my Rexxing dash cam. I also had to run a wire from front to back for the rear camera. I have nylon non-mar panel removal tools and getting the various interior panels off and back on was not a problem. The issue was getting to the fuse box under the carpet in the rear compartment. The manual says "The rear compartment fuse block is in the rear of the vehicle, under the load floor. Lift the carpet and access door in the center of the load floor to access the fuses." I wish it were that easy. There are several clips that need to be popped out as well. Well, one of the clips around the rear cubby hole on the driver's side would not budge. I was pulling straight up, and I even removed the panel of the wheel well to give me a bit more room. Well, it finally gave, and when it did, the damn tab and clip snapped right off. Looks like you have to replace the whole damn piece of carpet to the tune $250 just to replace the piece that broke. So what do think? Negligence on my behalf, or some sort of assembly defect or molding defect of the plastic piece. I called the dealer today and they said they would have to look at it before they would decide if it was covered by the warranty. You should not have to partially disassemble a car just to get at the fuse box. Grumble, grumble...

Steve_R

Doesn't sound like something that should be covered by warranty IMO.

mschuyler

Nope. I agree. I think you gotta own this one, OP. Sorry!

roadbike56

If you're trying to get to the fuse box, where you replace fuses, YES it should be covered. Are you sure you followed the instruction correctly to get to the fuse box? If yes, then I don't see why this shouldn't be covered.
Of course, the installation of a camera is not covered by the warranty. So anything outside of getting to the fuse box is not covered.

sTz

The car is so compact, and it can be difficult to gain access to certain components, but you might be on your own with this one. Hopefully the dealership will give you a mulligan...

kp

Those tabs on the cubby hole bezel are very easy to snap off, you arent the first person to break one getting to the rear fusebox. If I remember there are four clips on the bezel, it should hold on just fine if you only broke one.

zbrett

The verbatim instructions from the owner's manual are "The rear compartment fuse block is in the rear of the vehicle, under the load floor. Lift the carpet and access door in the center of the load floor to access the fuses."

Not much to follow

mschuyler

Please do report back on this thread and tell us the result here. I think we're all interested given the circumstances. Good luck.

Zymurgy

Let me see. You broke something trying to do something that is not normal maintenance or even trying to replace a blown fuse. If it were me, I would not even ask the dealer for warranty replacement and I would have no expectation of a warranty replacement.

Rooster OG

I agree, it should be fine without it.

zbrett

I hear where you are coming from, but I don't think I should have to risk breaking stuff to get to the fuse box. It's a fuse box, not a top secret, not to be messed with, hands off part of the car. So, what is the difference if I was having an electrical issue and went to check the fuses, and the clip broke off?

I'm not trying to be confrontational. I truly have mixed feelings over this.

Zymurgy

I can get to my fuse box without removing any panels. The carpet can be carefully pulled out from under the panels. The owners manual says nothing about removing any panels:

Stentplacer

Would not hurt to ask. But IMHO this was your issue and not a malfunction from the factory.
Good luck....but 250 is not that much

Larry/car

If a dealer technition broke the fastener trouble shooting an electrical problem then warranty might cover the repair (technition would probably just use remaining fasteners, cover the panel with the carpet and call it good). An owner messing with the car's electrics, don't expect warranty coverage.

~Stingray

It sucks. I parked my corvette in my apartment lot like I do every weekend when I drive it around. I forgot to pull the parking pass out of the glove box....found it towed the next morning. $250.

They said they don't tow cars they recognize. BS. That yellow corvette is the nicest thing in the lot and its yellow. That thing stands out at night and I lived there for several years. My fault, yes, but don't give me a line like you are my friend trying to make me feel that you didn't have to tow it and did anyway.

zbrett

Have you ever tried to get to the fuse box? No, you don't have to remove any panels, and that isn't the issue since I did not break any of the panels I removed. You do have to separate the carpet from the back storage compartment to fully expose the fuse panel, and that part is held down by clips of which one broke. I just think it is a really bad design choice.

zbrett

Probably more like $400 because I'm not willing to take all the panels off in the back compartment to put the new carpet in. I don't want to risk breaking more stuff.

not08crmanymore

Fact is,it would not have broken if you weren't messing with it. So,you broke it. Why would you expect GM to pay for that?Kind of like installing a supercharger,blowing your motor and expecting GM to cover it.

zbrett

With all due respect, not the same in my mind. Again, accessing a fuse panel is a normal troubleshooting / maintenance procedure. What if I had a blown fuse, or was just curious to look at the panel. There should be zero risk of breaking stuff just to get to a fuse panel. What if you opened the hood and a strut broke. Would you say that is on you because you wanted to check the oil?

Old Yellow

This area is supposed to be a end-user accessible area for the purpose of replacing fuses, and working in the battery compartment by the owner. That's why instructions are in the Owners Manual for doing so.

I removed the cargo floor cover in my convertible just for the sole purpose of seeing what was involved should the need ever arise. I can tell you that those clips around the in-floor storage compartment were a bear to pop out. I had to find the location of these clips from photos in prior posts here on the CF to figure out where to apply pressure. I applied silicone grease to the clips, prior to reinstall, so that future removal will be much easier.

Working very carefully I was able to remove the carpet without any damage, but it was a challenge, and was very time consuming. I would be willing to bet that anyone who has had a dealer's shop work in that area has damage to the floor panel.


It is an area that is supposed to be available to the car owner for the purpose of routine servicing, and as such, should be less prone to parts failure on just one use. It's comparable to saying, "I opened the hood to check the oil, and the hood latch broke." Should this also be not covered under warranty.

I don't get your point. The installation of an after market part was not the cause of failure. He was simply trying to get to a fuse box that is supposed to be accessible to the owner. He was not pulling the heads off the engine.

Ed

To zbrett, sorry but while I was composing a long reply you provided a brief, to the point reply that covered my thoughts in one paragraph.