Am I being ripped off? ... Continued ...

[Anna Kettle]

To remind you ... I am querying whether the first time my van went in
for repair then the garage should have spotted that more work needed
to be done to avoid it breaking down again and providing me with more
hassle and another bill.

All comments welcome
Anna

First bill:
Diagnose and remove and refit starter motor £45
Starter motor £158.95

Second bill:
Remove starter and carry out repair £45
Recovery of vehicle £20
Contact part £22.82
Starter solinoid £25
Starter armature £55
Sundries £2.50

All prices plus VAT

Follow up letter after my complaint:
When your vehicle first broke down the fault was diagnosed as starter
motor which we supplied and fitted. On the second occasion you called
us out it was the contact switch which is a sealed unit that shorted
out causing the starter motor to engage while being driven. As the
starter motor was new to keep the cost down we had it repaired for
you. This is quite a common fault with Vauxhalls and if you would like
to verify it with a main dealer you can do so.
If you wish to discuss this matter further with me I shall be happy to
speak to you. We still have the damaged parts in stock if you wish to
inspect them.

 

[steveb]

[email protected] (Anna Kettle) lifted the trapdoor,

When your vehicle first broke down the fault was diagnosed as starter
motor which we supplied and fitted. On the second occasion you called
us out it was the contact switch which is a sealed unit that shorted
out causing the starter motor to engage while being driven. As the
starter motor was new to keep the cost down we had it repaired for
you. This is quite a common fault with Vauxhalls and if you would like
to verify it with a main dealer you can do so.
If you wish to discuss this matter further with me I shall be happy to
speak to you. We still have the damaged parts in stock if you wish to
inspect them.

Hey Anna,

It would seem that the faulty switch was the cause of the original motor
failing. And being a common fault (so the garage knew it was likely) they
should have probably replaced it (as a likely culprit) when they replaced
the original motor.

However, your chances of proving this are slim, to say the least. While you
are not "technically" being ripped off; you stand little chance of any
successful action against them.

In your position I would go see the Service Manager. Explain that you feel
they have been somewhat less the efficient, and ask what might be done.

He may be able to reduce the bill, or, more likely, offer you a free or
reduced price service next time.

It just isn't enough money to waste more of your time on, even though this
probably sticks in your throat a bit

steveb

 

[Dave Plowman]

All comments welcome
Anna

First bill:
Diagnose and remove and refit starter motor £45
Starter motor £158.95

Second bill:
Remove starter and carry out repair £45
Recovery of vehicle £20
Contact part £22.82
Starter solinoid £25
Starter armature £55
Sundries £2.50

Seems odd to me that they effected a repair on the motor the second time
by fitting a new armature and solenoid, but not the first time, and that
the labour charge was the same for what must have been more work.

Did the motor actually engage with the engine running as they said? I'd
have thought this would have caused more damage.

 

[Richard Kilpatrick]

Previously, <[email protected]>, Anna Kettle

As the
starter motor was new to keep the cost down we had it repaired for
you. This is quite a common fault with Vauxhalls and if you would like
to verify it with a main dealer you can do so.

Erm, if the starter motor was new, surely it would be guaranteed.
Therefore if the motor was faulty, it should have been replaced in
entirety and you should only have been charged, if anything, the £45.

The contact part, armature etc. are parts of the starter, the solenoid
probably is. They should come as a unit.

Sundries?

Hmmmm...

Richard

 

[Dave Plowman]

Apparently the worst case scenario, which is happening is that the
switch shorts out, engages the starter, burns out the wiring loom, and
sets fire to the car. The central locking then won't let you out and you
fry with the car! Allegedly.

If the starter cable allowed so much voltage drop with the starter
running continuously to melt itself, I doubt it would deliver enough
current to start a cold engine in the winter.

Overuse of a starter causes the motor to burn out, not the cable.

 

[MrCheerful]

If the starter cable allowed so much voltage drop with the starter
running continuously to melt itself, I doubt it would deliver enough
current to start a cold engine in the winter.

Overuse of a starter causes the motor to burn out, not the cable.

I think you misunderstood. The starter operates continuously till the
motor burns out or seizes up, the cabling is now supplying a dead
short and fries the wiring.

MrCheerful

 

[Dave Plowman]

I think you misunderstood. The starter operates continuously till the
motor burns out or seizes up, the cabling is now supplying a dead
short and fries the wiring.

No - I've I've understood it. The common thing is the motor burns out -
and therefore goes open circuit - although they do sometimes get shorted
turns and draw more current than they should. But at the end of the day,
the windings are of much smaller gauge than the cable feeding them, so
will burn out first - like a fuse - and remove the load.

I suppose it's possible that the insulation on the starter cable could
melt and allow a short to chassis on a poorly routed cable, but then the
fusible link to the battery should blow.

The story sounds like one of those that embellishes the facts for
whatever reason. They're pretty common with cars.

 

[Anna Kettle]

Thanks for comments. My plan is now that I shall pay the bill, but not
go back to that garage again.

Replies to a couple of questions ...

If I read it correctly; both times the
car failed to start. I would have thought that you should have noticed
if the starter motor suddenly engaged whilst you were driving. If you
did then the garage are correct. If you didn't then they are probably
wrong

I didn't notice anything while driving. Both times the problem was
that the vehicle failed to start.

is it the 1.7 D engine?

Yes, or more precisely a 1.7D 775 but I think the 775 refers to the
souped up suspension.

Anna