Car broken down

[Andy T]

So my little Suzuki Alto that I use for bombing to work has finally let me down 😕

The battery light came on during my commute home last night, I'm suspecting the alternator has packed in. I risked driving to work this morning (my best mate / mechanic works in the unit next door) but the battery finally ran out of juice on a busy roundabout.

Thankfully I was able to coast into Halfords car park (Canklow for the locals) with no electric power steering and a dashboard like Blackpool illuminations!

I currently sat waiting for my mate to bring a fresh battery so that I can limp to work. I have nothing better to do for a while so thought I'd share my story here 😆

[John]

No power steering!! I remember when this was standard on all cars

[Andy T]

It does have it but it's the newer style electric type, so dead battery means it packed in 😕

[Steven000]

Goodluck Andy, hope it's just the battery and not the alternator, batteries can die on their own after a few years sometimes.

[Andy T]

Thanks. The alternator has been rattling for a while to be honest, but since I was only supposed to be running the car for 6 months (which has become 3 years!) I didn't bother fixing it.

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Hope you get sorted out with minimum inconvenience.

[PaulTRose]

So 3 years instead of 6 months....think youve had your moneys worth out of it if this is the first thing to go pop 🤣

[Andy T]

I think so 😂

Someone made me an offer I couldn't refuse on my Audi S4 so bought this until I found something else I liked. I'm still looking but it's already saved me much more than it's purchase price in fuel alone. Thirsty things those sporty Audis

[Jim R]

Hope it gets fixed quickly and cheaply. I know totally nothing about cars. Just change them every three years when the MOT is due and have a very good local garage.

[Geoffers]

Bad luck Andy ☹️

My car is currently off the road and it is amazing how much we end up relying on them.
Hope you get it fixed soon 🤞

Geoff.

[Andy T]

All fixed 😎

The new alternator didn't sting my pocket too much, but we had a right old wrestle changing it as there's just no space under the bonnet! An engine mounting came off, the brake master cylinder, and a few other bits. Then a big bar to persuade the engine to one side gave us just enough clearance.

Ho hum, the joys of motoring, as I often say 🙂

[colin m]

All fixed 😎

The new alternator didn't sting my pocket too much, but we had a right old wrestle changing it as there's just no space under the bonnet! An engine mounting came off, the brake master cylinder, and a few other bits. Then a big bar to persuade the engine to one side gave us just enough clearance.

Ho hum, the joys of motoring, as I often say 🙂

And doesn't that just sum up modern cars. The part might not cost too much, but the labour bill, having the widget fitted - oh wow.

[Andy T]

I'm so glad I have a tame mechanic and that I'm pretty handy myself. Saves me an absolute fortune.

Today's labour will cost me a bacon & egg butty in the morning 😂

[dave]

When I used to help my Dad repairing our old car as a kid he always said the designers should be forced to repair the cars they designed. He reckoned it would improve the accessibility of pieces that needed replacing.

[Andy T]

I very much agree with that!

[Stefee]

Your Dad was so right and I found Japanese vehicles much easier to strip and rebuild as I have small hands but my Dad and brothers large paws couldn't fit where mine and Asian hands could.

[colin m]

I think the first time a modern car 'slapped me in the face' was when I discovered you had to take the front bumper off to change a head light bulb ! Why would any car designer think that's ok ?

[Mark1]

Just done the headgasket and timing chain on my car ,meant removing this lot before I could even get to the head,hours of fun lol

[Gern]

Glad to see I'm not the only one with car troubles. Mind you, to be fair, mine are self inflicted.

Had problems with my old E280 diesel as I only drive about 15 miles a week so I couldn't keep the battery charged. Sold it to a family friend and bought an A150.

Stupid me, I bought it online and didn't do a test drive. First time I drove it, my dashboard flashed up "Transmission fault. Return to garage". I hadn't noticed the dealer hadn't put his address on his advert. By the time I found him, he'd shut down and is now trading under a different name. Only the Gods know if I'll be able to get a refund through Trading Standards.

Bought a C180 with a relatively clean MOT. After about 5 miles I got a dashboard message about brake wear. Took it to an independent garage and he failed it saying the rear brake pipes are so corroded he couldn't test the brakes. Took it back to the dealer who had it up on his ramp for nearly 5 hours, replaced the brake sensor and told me it's OK now. Brake wear light came on again on my way home so have now booked it for yet another MOT at my mate's garage. Now gotta wait 'til Tuesday to see what's what.

Next time I go looking for a car - which looks like it's going to be next week - I'm gonna get a mechanic mate to come with me. He'll fit me with a blindfold and sort out a motor for me 'cos I can't resist the temptation. "Oooohhh shiny! Gimme!"

[Andy T]

Sorry to hear of your troubles, but I see a theme there. Maybe look for something without the three pointed star 😜

[Ian M]

So you have a Mercedes thing. Like Andy Says, try looking at another badge.

[minitnkr]

I always shop on-line to get an idea of what I like, how available & where that is & what the cost range should be before I venture out.

[Gern]

Just done the headgasket and timing chain on my car ,meant removing this lot before I could even get to the head,hours of fun lol

I'd say you got value for money there. That looks full!