[Travel] Car mechanic/problem question

[essbee1]

This morning I tried the ignition in the car and the battery was flat as a pancake.
Recovery person came and said it's not the battery, I need a new alternator.

Our options are now to have the car taken away to a garage to be fixed or
have a mobile mechanic come and sort out a new alternator at home (the car
is on the drive). The recovery person reckoned a new alternator was 150 quid but
I guess there would be lots of costs on top as well.

The mobile mechanic option seems almost too good to be
true - plug in your home and car details and the problem and they'll come and sort
it out (ClickMechanic is one such place).

Does anyone have any experience of what to choose and what the best
option is here?

Any help/advice gratefully received.

(I know it's going to cost a bit either way, but not sure whether
these mobile mechanics are a bit of a ripoff (sorry to any mobile
mechanics on here)).

Ta very much
essbee1

 

[happypig]

I had a mobile mechanic come fix my camper van outside my house, wasn't any more expensive than a garage.
Alternator shouldn't be a complicated thing to change out so would be ok to do on the drive/road.

Where are you ?

 

[WATFORD zero]

If the car isn't particularly new, you can probably get a reconditioned alternator cheaper (simply ask the mechanic/garage)

 

[essbee1]

I had a mobile mechanic come fix my camper van outside my house, wasn't any more expensive than a garage.
Alternator shouldn't be a complicated thing to change out so would be ok to do on the drive/road.

Where are you ?

Orpington, Kent

(Palace country I know!)

 

[upthealbion1970]

Some alternators are 10 minutes, others hours and prices vary too

What car is it and where are you?

 

[essbee1]

Skoda (no jokes please!)

On the drive. Kent.

 

[upthealbion1970]

Skoda (no jokes please!)

On the drive. Kent.

What Skoda and what engine?

 

[Wrong-Direction]

I had a mobile mechanic come fix my camper van outside my house, wasn't any more expensive than a garage.
Alternator shouldn't be a complicated thing to change out so would be ok to do on the drive/road.

Where are you ?

5 minute job

Sent from my SM-A600FN using Tapatalk

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

What Skoda and what engine?

Heated rear windscreens?

 

[essbee1]

What Skoda and what engine?

Fabia. 1198

 

[upthealbion1970]

Fabia. 1198

That won’t take long, reasonable mobile mechanic should have that done less than half an hout

 

[essbee1]

That won’t take long, reasonable mobile mechanic should have that done less than half an hout

Thanks mate. Appreciated.

 

[upthealbion1970]

Thanks mate. Appreciated.

Or do it yourself if you’ve got tools?

Get the alternator from here


https://www.partsforallcars.com

 

[essbee1]

Or do it yourself if you’ve got tools?

Get the alternator from here


https://www.partsforallcars.com

I would, except that I couldn't bang two pieces of wood together if my life depended
on it.

 

[upthealbion1970]

I would, except that I couldn't bang two pieces of wood together if my life depended
on it.

[emoji23][emoji23]

 

[andys320]

Hi

Is this a Mk1 or Mk2, the Mk1 at least used to have a common problem with a broken blue wire found under the car, repair this and all good. May be worth googling Briskoda and looking for guidance on there.

I had this issue many years ago and it really was a 5 minute job, and cost nothing. Changing alternator without sorting this will not solve issue.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

I was told a new alternator would be about £200 by the recovery man. He then discovered the car wouldn't start because the connections were loose on the battery. Quick tighten up, and broom broom.....

 

[wellquickwoody]

Why has ‘change’ become ‘change out’?

 

[essbee1]

Thanks for the replies. All very handy.

 

[essbee1]

Mk 1 I believe