2 breakdowns under used car warranty.. hum
Discussion
So after 200 odd miles in a 51 cooper that had a new battery before purchase from a local back street dealer, my wife went to the car last Wednesday morning.. to find it was completely dead.
When I looked at it later I noted the +ve lead was loose to the battery.
Giving the dealer the benefit of the doubt, I tightened it up, put on some jump leads to the Mx5 and started it.
Until Saturday. Went out for the day, about 80 miles in total, then took daughters boy friend home (cross country B road). In the dark I noticed that the lights kept flickering over bumps.
Got home, and battery dead again.
Sunday I look again and this time the -ve lead is loose, but I realise that the battery is too short, and the box it sits in is pushing the leads off as it bounces up and down.
Phoned dealer, and he agrees that his partner will come and look at it on Monday morning.
He doesn't phone Monday so I ring to find out what he's doing.
After some discussion, he agrees to get the 'right battery', so I agree that I will tighten the -ve lead, put the jump leads on and bring it up to him so he can swap the battery.
Well, I google "R50 mini battery height" and on various forums it seems there is confusion.
I get 3 sheets of 5 mm thick clear plastic, cut them to size, and fit them under the short battery and am about to drive the 5 miles to the dealer, when he phones me to say he has to pop out but the exhaust place next door will fit it.
Guess what?
It's the same battery, but 400 miles newer.
They offer (I kid you not) to grind the box to make more room for the leads. Hum...
I suggest they fit the new battery, with my plastic.
Which will be perfect, as the battery is not properly clamped, and the leads are not stressed by the box.
More importantly, my wife now has a new battery, and she'll have no more stress.
I really can't be arsed to argue the toss, although I know I should.
The battery is too short, but my bodge is perfect to bring it to the right height, and if I'd bought the car privately that is the solution I would have adopted.
I might actually feel a bit guilty, given that the dealer has paid for a battery, that is exactly the same as the one he fitted, except that he wouldn't come out to look at the car, whilst it was broken, and I only managed to get it moving because I have some tools and some knowledge. If I'd not been at home this week, I couldn't have done this, and my wife would have been very stressed. So no guilt. Plus I had plans for that plastic. Windows in the dog house.
Next.....
When I looked at it later I noted the +ve lead was loose to the battery.
Giving the dealer the benefit of the doubt, I tightened it up, put on some jump leads to the Mx5 and started it.
Until Saturday. Went out for the day, about 80 miles in total, then took daughters boy friend home (cross country B road). In the dark I noticed that the lights kept flickering over bumps.
Got home, and battery dead again.
Sunday I look again and this time the -ve lead is loose, but I realise that the battery is too short, and the box it sits in is pushing the leads off as it bounces up and down.
Phoned dealer, and he agrees that his partner will come and look at it on Monday morning.
He doesn't phone Monday so I ring to find out what he's doing.
After some discussion, he agrees to get the 'right battery', so I agree that I will tighten the -ve lead, put the jump leads on and bring it up to him so he can swap the battery.
Well, I google "R50 mini battery height" and on various forums it seems there is confusion.
I get 3 sheets of 5 mm thick clear plastic, cut them to size, and fit them under the short battery and am about to drive the 5 miles to the dealer, when he phones me to say he has to pop out but the exhaust place next door will fit it.
Guess what?
It's the same battery, but 400 miles newer.
They offer (I kid you not) to grind the box to make more room for the leads. Hum...
I suggest they fit the new battery, with my plastic.
Which will be perfect, as the battery is not properly clamped, and the leads are not stressed by the box.
More importantly, my wife now has a new battery, and she'll have no more stress.
I really can't be arsed to argue the toss, although I know I should.
The battery is too short, but my bodge is perfect to bring it to the right height, and if I'd bought the car privately that is the solution I would have adopted.
I might actually feel a bit guilty, given that the dealer has paid for a battery, that is exactly the same as the one he fitted, except that he wouldn't come out to look at the car, whilst it was broken, and I only managed to get it moving because I have some tools and some knowledge. If I'd not been at home this week, I couldn't have done this, and my wife would have been very stressed. So no guilt. Plus I had plans for that plastic. Windows in the dog house.
Next.....
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