I hate my car with a passion. I just had to replace the battery, and then a day after I do that the starter motor gives up, and now my new battery is flatter than a pancake and my starter motor is still not working. Where can I get a mechanic in Hornchurch Essex who will not drain my bank ballance to fix my hunk of junk. Already bought a starter motor but dont have tools for replacement.
2007-02-02 22:27:31 · 15 answers · asked by Steven 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
they are like the unicorn they do not exist
2007-02-02 22:37:47 · answer #1 · answered by warr31 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
It sounds most likely to be your alternator, or the diode pack (rectifier) on the back of it. If the diode pack is knackered in any way then there will be incomplete rectification of the A.C. generated by the alternator. The net result of this is a 'cooked' battery. You may notice bubbles in the battery while the engine is running if this diode pack is REALLY busted! This can also cause problems with the windings in the starter motor. The alternator and diode pack can be checked quite easily with a Digital Multimeter, although you do need the car running first. With the engine running switch the lights on to main beam. Set the multimeter to measure DC Volts. Connect the negative (black) meter cable to the negative (marked "-") terminal of the battery. Connect the positive (red) meter cable to the positive (marked "+") terminal of the battery. You should get a reading of 13.8V +/-0.5V. Any voltage lower than this means that you have a knackered alternator. Change the multimeter to measure AC Volts. Connect the meter leads as before. You should get a reading of less than a few volts. Any reading greater than about 15V indicates that the diode pack is knackered.
A mechanic that I can recommend very highly is a chap named John Tinham in Springfield in Chelmsford (not too far from you). He is an oustanding Motor Engineer. Have a look on the Internet, he has won the mechanic of the year award from 'Professional Mechanic' magazine, and that is a very high accolade indeed. His hourly rate is not too clever but he fixes faults unbelievably quickly, and so you actually pay less.
I hope that this is of use to you.
Best of luck.
2007-02-03 06:20:26 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Like everybody says, just do the job yourself. It's not hard. I try to do as much as I can myself. I only hand over for jobs I'm not confident about.
Just recently did my own starter motor. It couldn't be easier. Just 3 bolts and a couple of nuts for the wires.
If your battery is going flat, maybe the starter is ok. Have you tried charging the battery from the mains? If you can get it to charge and the car starts, then you have a problem with the alternator. That is easy to change too.
Get your spares from a car breakers. My replacement Starter cost me 29.99. A Haynes manual is a help (though often they skip over a few details).
2007-02-02 22:51:23 · answer #3 · answered by 👑 Hypocrite 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Unless you have a friend or relative who can recommend a mechanic or garage its a matter of pot luck going through your local paper.I find for small jobs like starter motors and the like a mobile mechanic may work out cheaper,obviously if you go to a franchised dealer you will pay over £80 and more per hour for their labour.
2007-02-02 22:39:02 · answer #4 · answered by CRAIG S 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
DIY buy the tools its only 2 or 3 bolts what are we talking a set of spanners or allen keys and a battery charger cheaper than any mechanic failing that there is a yard with black gates opposite what used to be rush green hospital go in there and ask for john (if he is still there i moved from there 5 years back)
2007-02-02 22:37:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
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2016-11-02 05:02:08 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, it sounds as if you have an electrical short somewhere in your ignition system, a new battery shouldn't have been drained that quickly particularly if you haven't been able to start the engine.are the battery cables exposed allowing the battery to be grounded out along the frame somewhere. it would explain why the battery and starter are both dead. visually inspect the cables,they should have a rubber coating on them,except where a connector is attached.
2007-02-03 06:54:57 · answer #7 · answered by yankeegray_99 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Buy some tools.
That is the cheap way to go. Replacing a starter & battery is a no brainer
2007-02-02 22:33:28 · answer #8 · answered by Golly Geewiz 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
a auto electrician is the person to refer to they normaly have a set price for removal restoration and replacement for the garage trade (find out where the trade take this type of work and ask for a price they'll be only too pleased to assist you as most garages tend to complaint about prices irrespective of how reasonable charges are)
2007-02-06 20:59:10 · answer #9 · answered by Mick W 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We use a guy in Fordham, which is just on the Suffolk/Cambridgeshire border. He has never let us down and doesn't charge a fortune, either. If you think it is worth the trip, then try Ian Button. I'd give you his phone number but that may be going a bit too far! You should have enough info their to be able to find him if you want - he is well worth it!
But really, if you hate your car that much - change it - it will probably be cheaper in the end!
2007-02-02 22:45:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
its your alternator.. and you dont need tools to change a starter motor or alternator. 10/12 & 13 / 14mm spanner will do it.
starter motor is only held in by 2 bolts. (and the wire) alternator is pivoted on 1 bolt and 2 securing bolts.. just look... this isnt rocket science.
2007-02-02 22:52:03 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋