MK3 WONT START

[Galaxygirl]

Hi Everyone.
I'm a newbie on this Forum and not car savvy at all, so please be gentle.

We have a Galaxy MK3 2009 diesel bought from Addison Lee in May 2013 and have only had this for over a year.
It has been a dream to drive with no problems.
Then all of a sudden last week "Engine Malfunction" pops up on the electronic panel, this then disappears after a few days. The car still drove ok though.
Then "Power steering malfunction" pops up and again it disappears.

3 days ago it wouldn't start at all and we called the AA, who gave us a jump start and said that the Battery is strong but something was draining the power from the Battery.

They changed a fuse or something and then it was fine again.

The next day it wouldn't start again and we called the AA again to give us a jump start, this time we took it to the Trust Ford dealers who did an inspection and said it needed, new cambelt, new tyres, new brakes, new brake discs, a few new bulbs but said nothing regarding the faults that came up on the screen which then disappeared. Total cost to do the work Ã,£1150.

So I informed them about the faults that kept appearing on the panel and asked them to run a diagnostic test, they then came back and said the car needs a new gear box at a cost of Ã,£3120.

After I picked my self off the floor I said to ford that I am concerned that perhaps the fault indicator is wrong or something, because it couldn't make up its mind if it was engine or power steering or gear box malfunction.

They said there is nothing they can do and it needs a new gear box.
When I asked them to perhaps change the battery and then re-test they said no and that it is definitely the gear box?

Does this sound right?

Should I get a 2nd opinion as I worry (and hope) that it might be some loose wires or something that isn't going to cost me Ã,£3k to sort.

Appreciate any advise.
Thanks in advance.
Hannah

[insanitybeard]

I think you need to ask them why their diagnosis concluded the gearbox was the cause of the problem, they probably won't give you specifics but they need to explain to you in plain English their findings. The electronics in modern cars are increasingly complex and it's certainly feasible that a gearbox fault could affect other systems but it really does depend.

If you suspect the dealer isn't being entirely truthful then a second opinion is never a bad thing, but I would ask the Ford dealer to elaborate on 'it needs a new gearbox' first.

[Mirez]

Hi Hannah and welcome to our forum! the "Needs a new gearbox / needs a new engine" lines are dealer code for "we don't really know what's wrong" - at the very least 90% of engines and gearboxes are repairable without replacing the whole lump so be warey. As Paul says, ask them how they have come to this conclusion and why the on-board computer is saying it has an engine malfunction and not a transmission malfunction which would be reasonable to expect if the gearbox truly is at the end of its serviceable life.

My main concern is that you have two (three if you include the computer) differing opinions on what is wrong. Since the AA have had to charge the battery to start the car its a good indication that you have an electrical issue and not a mechanical issue so again, worst case scenario, you potentially need a new gearbox controller rather then a whole new gearbox which should see that price cut in half.

Where you able to see how the AA concluded the battery is strong? Batteries fail in many different ways and without taking it off the car and using a proper tester its impossible to say. A common myth is that because it has a good voltage it must be good which isn't the case as all. Given the life of car batteries is generally 3 to 5 years, my personal opinion would be to replace it but whatever you do, get a second and third opinion before believing that you need a new gearbox!

[Galaxygirl]

Thank you Paul and Mark, I appreciate your advise and I will certainly get a 2nd and 3rd opinion.

Something just didn't feel right with the Ford Dealer, they were not forthcoming with information and my instincts were telling me to get out of there.

Anyway, my husband has booked it in with another Garage tomorrow and I also have another guy lined up to check it at the weekend. It works fine now and there are no malfunctions on the panel.

Thanks again.

[gregers]

 

also might be worth checking out the alarm module,which iirc is situated under the passenger wheel arch.apparently this can cause no end of problems,drains the battery amongst other things.

have you done an on board diagnostic check?
if so what trouble codes were listed??

also on the check it will tell you the state of your battery.