DW's Car not very well :(

[Goofyish]

DW had to call the AA man out yesterday. She was driving home from shopping and all of a sudden she lost power and all the dash board warning lights came on. When she pulled over there was smoke and a burning smell coming from the engine!

She was only 5 minutes from home so she called me - I drove down to where she had stopped and had a quick look under the bonnet (smoke had stopped by then). The insulation on the battery negative lead had melted!

She then called the AA. They came within 15 mins. and the AA man took one look at the melted wire and he was 99% sure the starter motor had stayed engaged causing the earth wire to overload! He disconnected the battery and gave us a tow back home.

Need to call the garage on Monday for them to come and pick the car up and fix it The start motor was ony changed less than a year ago, so hope fully some of the cost will be covered under the part warranty!

 

[Cyrano]

Glad that everyone is safe and hope the warranty holds good

 

[gilld]

My sympathies but it's not as bad a DD2's car which looks as though it will need a new ENGINE just 3 weeks after the warrenty ran out! it's a Ka which we bought new and is just over 3 years now, and as she's doing a Doctorate and so is at University again - who do you think is going to have to pay? yep! And they say about £2,000-£3,000!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[KayleeUK]

Hope you get it sorted Tim.

My Gill thats a lot of money!

 

[Goofyish]

My sympathies but it's not as bad a DD2's car which looks as though it will need a new ENGINE just 3 weeks after the warrenty ran out! it's a Ka which we bought new and is just over 3 years now, and as she's doing a Doctorate and so is at University again - who do you think is going to have to pay? yep! And they say about £2,000-£3,000!!!!!!!!!!!!

An engine should last more than 3 years regardless of the warranty period - I would make a fuss and write to Ford - they may offer to pay part of the replacement costs

 

[Minniespal]

Hope you get it sorted out cheaply Tim.

Gill ~ Tim is correct, an engine should certainly last more than just three years.

 

[gilld]

An engine should last more than 3 years regardless of the warranty period - I would make a fuss and write to Ford - they may offer to pay part of the replacement costs

We're waiting for the final estimate, and will pay as she HAS to have a car for the placements as part of her course, but yes, we'll be taking it up with Ford ASAP.

 

[Goofyish]

Car has been in the garage now since Wednesday - the have managed to remove the offending wiring loom (had to remove the inlet manifod to get it out!). The insulation on the loom was completely melted away leaving bare wire. The garage had a real problem identifying the part number (apparently there are 36 various version of the same loom!).

It's impossible to work out whether the fault originated with the wiring loom or with the starter motor, so all they can do is replace both! Looking at around £400!
As soon as it's fixed we are selling the car - DW has lost all confidence in it

DW is now in the market for a replacement car. Something small, reliable and economical. Short list so far includes the Micra, Lupo or Polo. (not a Vauxhall!)

 

[wilma-bride]

My sympathies with you Tim - I had car trouble yesterday but nothing as serious. Just the automatic steering lock getting jammed. I must admit, I was panicking a bit at the thought of being without my car but it's sorted now. Maybe I should be with the AA, though, as it took the Britannia rescue guy over 2 hours to get to me

Hope you get it sorted and it's not too costly.

Gill, that's terrible about your DD's car. I hope you have some luck with Ford in getting some sort of compensation for the cost.

 

[gilld]

My sympathies with you Tim - I had car trouble yesterday but nothing as serious. Just the automatic steering lock getting jammed. I must admit, I was panicking a bit at the thought of being without my car but it's sorted now. Maybe I should be with the AA, though, as it took the Britannia rescue guy over 2 hours to get to me

Hope you get it sorted and it's not too costly.

Gill, that's terrible about your DD's car. I hope you have some luck with Ford in getting some sort of compensation for the cost.

My sympathies with you too Tim.

Joh, even worse, the electric window on the drivers side of my car has all by itself disappeared into the door - never to be seen again so my car is in the garage as well!!! Fortunately mine is under warrenty so we shan't have to pay, but still no news on DD2's car other than they haven't yet found all the problems

 

[wilma-bride]

Joh, even worse, the electric window on the drivers side of my car has all by itself disappeared into the door - never to be seen again so my car is in the garage as well!!! Fortunately mine is under warrenty so we shan't have to pay, but still no news on DD2's car other than they haven't yet found all the problems

Cars, eh - who'd have 'em Seriously, though, it makes you wonder whether cars are being built to last these days. We drive a crummy old BMW (16 years old) and it's still going strong (despite the minor hiccough yesterday) so there's a lot to be said for older cars. DH wants to get a new one when he gets his redudancy money next year but I must admit I'm reluctant.

 

[carolfoy]

I agree - cars are like horses, just a big hole to shovel money into! I'd definately go to ford about the Ka Gill, I bet you'll get a replacement quickly, and Tim I'd go for a polo if I were you, VWs are very reliable, hold their value and you see so many really old ones around it must say something for their reliability

 

[jockey]

Tim - you poor DW. Will you be spending the weekend test driving new cars! Have you considered a mini? They are fun little cars, just like driving a go cart!


Gill - you are not having much luck either with cars. Hope you get sorted soon!

 

[Minniespal]

I agree - cars are like horses, just a big hole to shovel money into!

Totally agree ~ That is why I get a new car every three years before things start to cost money on it

 

[gilld]

Totally agree ~ That is why I get a new car every three years before things start to cost money on it

I wouldn't mind so much but DD2's car is a month over 3 years and mine is under 2 years. I think Joh is right though, cars, and many other things are not simply not built to last - grrrrr.

 

[AndRu]

We biught a Renault Scenic last year for my DW and kids. Never, ever again. So many problems with the bodywork (drivers door wanting to fall off), electrics, replacement dashboards and broken air con / heating. Last week it conked out on a dual carrigeway. Yesterday we got shot of the thing and traded it for a Ford Focus 1.8i Ghia. At least with a Ford if anything does go wrong, virtually any mechanic can fix it.

 

[bazzanoid]

I agree - Ford are definitely simple (and relatively cheap) to fix!

I'm driving a 1990 Sierra - just given it an oil change and a new shiny set of plugs and leads over the weekend, back to driving like a rocket with a hot poker up it's a--<no carrier>

Quick, reliable, economical, quiet and huge with a capital U inside - tons of legroom for front and rear passengers. I'm not intending on changing until i return from florida, when i will start saving for a new car and go buy when the sierra eventually implodes... most likely another ford *cough*mondeo*cough*

 

[gilld]

Well finally (after 2 weeks) got the decision from the Ford garage today, and DD2 DOES need a whole new engine for her 3 year old Ka. Letter on it's way to Ford already and they had better pay up at least a sizeable chunk or they won't hear the last of it - we're not going to take it lying down.

Mega sympathy needed now please.

 

[Minniespal]

Sending lots of sympathy and hugs to you Gill

 

[carolfoy]

Mega sympathy needed now please.

You got it!