Thanks for the wake up call, Mum...

[Rocket36]

sounds like it's just a dead battery. happens a lot when cars get repaired...

not enough power to crank the central locking, auto window down is a safety feature on some cars when they're power windows and the battery is near dead.

[Mrk_Mickey]

I've tried using central locking when my car was connected to my mum's battery. I tried starting it with my mum's battery connected (through jumper cables that is) and it did start a little better. I've tested for battery voltage when the car is off and when the car is on, with the alternator charging the battery. Readings were 10.5V with the car off, 14.4V with the alternator charging while the car's on.

Manaz, I paid for everything with cash.

[Manaz]

I've tried using central locking when my car was connected to my mum's battery. I tried starting it with my mum's battery connected (through jumper cables that is) and it did start a little better. I've tested for battery voltage when the car is off and when the car is on, with the alternator charging the battery. Readings were 10.5V with the car off, 14.4V with the alternator charging while the car's on.

Manaz, I paid for everything with cash.

10.5v with the car not running sounds like your battery has dropped a cell (there are six 2V cells in your standard 12v car battery). This is pretty common with older batteries, particularly if they've sat for a period of time without being used. Perfect opportunity to put a good battery in (I'm partial to Optima Yellow Tops, but they are pricey).

Regarding how you paid - fair enough. Did you get a work order (what they agreed to fix)?

[schoona]

Jam him hard. Dodgy workmanship when you are accepting someone elses money, insurance job or not is criminal. Hope its all sortedsoon Mick..

[Mrk_Mickey]

10.5v with the car not running sounds like your battery has dropped a cell (there are six 2V cells in your standard 12v car battery). This is pretty common with older batteries, particularly if they've sat for a period of time without being used. Perfect opportunity to put a good battery in (I'm partial to Optima Yellow Tops).

Regarding how you paid - fair enough. Did you get a work order (what they agreed to fix)?

Unfortunately I can't afford a new battery if I need to pay the panelbeater the extra 700 I owe him for the repair.

And unfortunately no, all I have received from the panelbeater is a bunch of ''should be ready this week''s and a final price 700 more than he said he ''should be able to do it'' for.

That said, if it turns out it isn't actually the battery and is an electrical earthing problem, I'm going to ring him once I've been given diagnosis by my own choice of auto electrician. If he tries to get defensive and nasty, I'm just going to tell him that he won't get his 700 because I'll use it to fix the problem.

[Manaz]

Unfortunately I can't afford a new battery if I need to pay the panelbeater the extra 700 I owe him for the repair.

And unfortunately no, all I have received from the panelbeater is a bunch of ''should be ready this week''s and a final price 700 more than he said he ''should be able to do it'' for.

That said, if it turns out it isn't actually the battery and is an electrical earthing problem, I'm going to ring him once I've been given diagnosis by my own choice of auto electrician. If he tries to get defensive and nasty, I'm just going to tell him that he won't get his 700 because I'll use it to fix the problem.

Yeah, I'd be holding onto the $700. The lack of documentation works both ways, and if you have your car and his cash, given the attitude he's showing, I'd be holding that cash ransom until he wisens up.

In fact - I'd be inclined to tell him that you're going to see an auto-electrician for an opinion, and the repairs can come out of the $700 you still owe. There's no way I'd be trusting his guy at this point, particularly given the attitude he's shown after you've really done him a favour by giving him a cash-in-hand job (which I'm sure he hasn't put on the books).

[Mrk_Mickey]

Thanks for the advice mate, that's just what I was thinking of doing. I'm going to a mate's place at 6 and he's good with this stuff so I'll be able to get a detailed opinion/fix. He tells me it's definintely a dead battery, but the motor is a different issue.

Regardless, if it's not sorted by tonight I'm going to an auto electrician for a (hopefully) free diagnosis and then I'm going to ring the panelbeater back and tell him that I've sought my own advice because I no longer trust him after being provided absolutely NO documents.

[Manaz]

Thanks for the advice mate, that's just what I was thinking of doing. I'm going to a mate's place at 6 and he's good with this stuff so I'll be able to get a detailed opinion/fix. He tells me it's definintely a dead battery, but the motor is a different issue.

Regardless, if it's not sorted by tonight I'm going to an auto electrician for a (hopefully) free diagnosis and then I'm going to ring the panelbeater back and tell him that I've sought my own advice because I no longer trust him after being provided absolutely NO documents.

Get the work the panel shop did checked by someone else you trust too - give my mate a call if you'd like, I'm sure he woudn't begrudge you a quick inspection to see what's gone on.

[Mrk_Mickey]

Another good idea. I'll go see him tomorrow perhaps. Wanna PM me his number again? Cheers.

[AGO41T]

hope u get it sorted..

wen i got mine my battery was dead too.. 3 weeks at d workshop and all weird things started to happen, changed the battery and everything went normal