Help....

[rsp]

Hello and good afternoon,
long time watcher first time writer....Only yesterday did I pick up my 1990 westfalia and today the battery is daed....and what with it being a bank holiday I cant see myself going out and playing, which is a real pain....

just wondering if there is anyone in east suffolk who happens to be a wizz with engines and who would like to get his/her hands dirty...or if not does anyone know a place I can take it to get it sorted....

thanking you in advance

[andisnewsyncro]

Private sale or dealer? Are you sure the battery is dead? any sounds or symptoms of trying to start? Any electrics working at all and what's the voltage reading of the battery?

[rsp]

Dealer, but a 3 hour drive away.....rang him today and he wasnt much help, tho he may stump up for new alternator if it is that...battery was dead, no click, got it started with power pack battery light was on then tried the lights and it died...I dont have anything to check voltage...

Am a complete numpty when it comes to engines.....

Thanks for taking an interest....

[Ian Hulley]

Don't touch it, call the dealer and tell them to collect the van and deliver it back once correctly repaired, Oh and you'll be needing a courtesy car in the meanwhile.

Ian.

[andisnewsyncro]

Just be absolutely certain that you haven't drained the battery by doing something like leaving the headlights / parking lights or the radio on - I'm not being rude but it is easily done - Parking lights come on if you switch off the ignition with the indicators still switched on. Leave them overnight and you can flatten a battery

As it's a dealer you have legal rights. The vehicle needs to be "fit for purpose" and you could "reasonably expect" that it would have had a service and been checked over before he took your money and parted with the vehicle.

Seeing as it's only a day since you bought it I would be back onto them (as & when they're open with the bank holiday in the way..) and request they sort it out, like Ian said.

The fact that he's suggesting alternator perhaps hints at the fact it was a known fault, it's also possible they knew the battery was flat, gave it a boost and hoped it would charge up on your trip home. It needs a fully charged battery (which they will no doubt argue isn't covered by warranty) and then meter readings taken from the alternator to establish if it is putting out enough charge whilst running. If not then a new alternator (or perhaps just a brush pack).

Hope you get it sorted out easily, it could be a genuine mistake on the dealers part.

Welcome to the world of T3 ownership

[rsp]

Oh if only it was that simple...After talking to him today, it seems he would honour any serious mechanical faults, but an alternator is not a big problem to come under the warranty !!!! as it is 20yrs old he says its wear ant tear...

I must admit he was very good about it when I spoke to him and he did imply he would pay for alternator if it was that.

I dont think I left any lights or radio on...but hey knowing me anything is possible...I have battery on charge, so I supose I will just wait and see what occurs...

Thank you all for your input..lets just hope this is not the start of things to come...

[Oldiebut goodie]

Where are you - I am in Felixstowe. I don't get my hands too dirty nowadays and only really know my diesel - haven't touched a petrol van since the 70's.

[rsp]

Hi oldie, thank you for taking an interest in my problem...I am near leiston(do you know it?) My van is also a diesel...