Occasional Fault

[Misky]

How can I have an occasional fault on my car repaired? I took it into the garage this morning and explained what was happening. I said it happened at the weekend and on my way home last night, but only for about 10 minutes and then it was okay again. He said "when it happens, bring it in". Even if I could turn round on the A19 and get the car back to Sunderland, chances are everything would be fine by the time I got to the garage. Do I just wait until it gets so bad it's happening all the time, or take it elsewhere to someone who might recognise the fault and be able to fix it even when it's not happening? It's an electrical fault too, so the garage would have to get someone in....

[ChuckFickens]

You'd probably be better off to take the car to an auto electrician rather than a normal garage to get it checked over.

As you say the garage would have to get someone in so why not cut out the middle man (and their profits for doing nothing) and go straight to the correct person.

[RATTER15]

Im with Chuck 100% on this one.

[Misky]

Thanks Chuck. I'll have a look in the paper and ring one. As I was typing the question that solution was forming in my head, but I wasn't sure if you could go straight to them or had to go through a garage. An auto electrician would probably know what I mean straight away too. Good call - thanks.

[chas2008]

depends on the vehicle, many vehicles retain the fault codes so they can be read at a later date...

[Misky]

Chas, it's a 55 Corsa, I don't think it'll do anything as fancy as that sounds. The garage I took it to does the MOT and service for it and he recognised me and it, so hopefully he would have known if that was the case. Thanks for the thought though.

[chas2008]

not exactly sure what problem you have but 55 plate Corsas were prone to one of the main positive leads breaking down ( N/S/Lower part of the engine bay) which caused an intermittent starting fault...

[Misky]

It's the indicator Chas - sometimes the light on the dash is on solidly and because it only happens while I'm driving, I don't know if the actual indicator light is on solidly. Another time, the front and side indicator light bulbs were on even though the car was switched off, the keys were out, and I had checked that I hadn't left the indicator switch up when I got out. I think it's one of those things that'll make the electrician suck in air through his teeth.....

[chas2008]

i would of thought fairly easy for an auto electrician chances are its a bad earth somewhere..

[Misky]

Great - that doesn't sound so bad. Thanks for your help Chas.