I put my car in the shop to have recall work (unrelated to the engine) and for an oil change. I haven't had any problems whatsoever with my car. They told me that I needed a new battery and alternator. 2 years ago, I did the same thing and they told me that I needed a new starter. I refused the service to get a 2nd opinion. My car has started every day since (never replaced the starter) except when it goes back to the dealer. Is it possible to have your alternator and battery go out without ANY warning?? I am beginning to thing that I am getting scammed??????
2006-11-09 10:59:20 · 10 answers · asked by AyJay12 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Look, if your alternator was bad, you never would have gotten the car started to begin with, because the battery would have been worn out by not being charged. This could be a scam. They could purposely discharge your battery, and then claim it won't start because you have a bad alternator, and try to sell you both.
But I say, if you drove it there, it should get you back home too, unless there was some fantastic coincidence that the alt went out as you drove to this repair shop, and that is HIGHLY unlikely.
Go somewhere else. Drive it home. Get a friend and jump start it if needed and drive it straight home without turning the car off. Just the act of driving the car back home will recharge the battery enough to start it again. Wait awhile, and then go back out and try to start it again. If it starts, it's definately not your alternator. If it doesn't, it could stilll just be a bad or old battery.
Take a man with you to talk to this "wheeler/dealer", who is scamming you!
If absolutely necessary, get a tow truck and tow it back home. I wouldn't let them touch this car again at ALL.
2006-11-09 11:11:38 · answer #1 · answered by MrZ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
possible...yes...probable? maybe. I have had alternators go with no warning...however the battery light or the gage...whichever you have will normally indicate this. If it is starting and running fine...I think I'd get a second opinion. Most auto parts stores will test both your alternator and battery for free. This does sound like they are trying to pull one over on you if you haven't had any problems and you just took it in for a recall. That's not what it was there for...therefore they shouldn't even be looking at it. It's there for the recall and that's all. It's not uncommon for garages...dealers and private to go there. Have it checked at the parts store...and go from there.
2006-11-09 11:07:21 · answer #2 · answered by Kenneth S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
generally when an alternator goes out there are signs because the alternator is what powers the vehicle after start up. If you are driving down the road and your alternator goes,power switches back to the battery which is not equipped to power a moving vehicle so your lights would dim and go out and after the battery is drained you would obviuosly get nowhere.
2006-11-09 11:03:35 · answer #3 · answered by bbq 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes it could but unlikely. I garintee the dealer is scaming u. Get a secong opinion. However note that they may have did a voltage type check and it may have no been out yet but be heading into those problems. I say save money get it check else where. Remember if it dont run there they may have fried it themselves for you and they could owe you a altornator. Or they could disconnect a wire or not completely tightn the belt. I say they loosened it and didnt tightn you belt right or there full of it. DONT GO BACK EVER! GO TO LOCAL SHOP THAT NIEBORS HAVE USED.!
2006-11-09 11:29:17 · answer #4 · answered by mcalano77 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Offensive questions usually get the most answers. I don't have a problem with sarcasm just with a lack of good judgment. Some questions are in very poor taste and it is hard to tell when it is a joke or a real question. I tend to be very sarcastic myself and only get offended when the question asked involves a child or person being mistreated or degraded. I could personally not care any less what people that I will never meet think of me!!
2016-05-22 01:30:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a scam
go to a local shop and screw a dealer
2006-11-09 11:04:29 · answer #6 · answered by Slappin 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So, why are you going back to a dealer who tried to rip you off before?
2006-11-09 12:03:05 · answer #7 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is an electrical part and can fail at any time from just normal wear or a defective part inside.
2006-11-09 11:05:41 · answer #8 · answered by jmayer5025 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it could happen but not likely. take your car to autozone and they will check your alternator and your battery without costing you anything. then you will know for sure.
2006-11-09 11:05:27 · answer #9 · answered by ronnie b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its a scam. Get a second opinion.
2006-11-09 11:08:39 · answer #10 · answered by R1volta 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋