New car has problems already told them...

bettingonmycats

So after my last thread I bought a new car and expected everything to go smoother I was even pickier this time, but that didn't go to plan...

Within 2/3 weeks it became apparent there was something wrong with the car it was struggling to start and I think one of the headlights was fading. I got the battery changed on my own funds thinking it's just because it was sat for a little bit. Started up perfectly for 1 day.

Made the garage aware ASAP, we messed around on how to resolve it they paid £180 for the auto electrician to clean the GEM and he said if it doesn't fix it it needs a new one from Ford dealership and it's expensive.

So a few days go by and it's clear the issue was still there so I contacted them again and they're now telling me I am not covered by their warranty and they only paid the £180 as a goodwill gesture.

Obviously this time around I know my rights and made sure to tell them they need to fix it free of charge for me or a full refund and they didn't respond. What will my next steps be?

I paid £500 deposit on credit card so I know I can do a refund like that also, plenty of options I think since I have been to them within the first 30 days...

Ayr_Rage

What model is it, how old and what mileage?

Is the vehicle on credit?

What is the GEM?

Okell

So...

When you thought it was the battery, did you first take it back to the seller and ask them to check the battery, or did you just buy a new battery from someone else?  It's not clear.

Again, it's not clear if the new battery resolved the problem or not.  Presumably it didn't?  Still problems starting and dim lights?

And what is the "GEM"?

p00hsticks

Ayr_Rage said:

What is the GEM?

I think the Ford GEM ( General Electronic Module) is basically the computer that controls the various electronic components in the car.

From our experience with a brand new Ford Fiesta, there seem to be an awful lot of electronic components that remain working even when the car is off and garaged - we had a flat battery soon after we bought it after the car had been garaged for a few days, and now regularly charge it if it's not been used for a decent run for more than a week or so. 

bettingonmycats

Sorry I'll explain better 
Ford Kuga, 2008, 90k miles, not on credit.
GEM is basically the board that controls all the electrics. Auto electrician tested to see what was draining the battery and found that it was turning on/off all the time and draining it.

I changed a battery on my own back without testing anything, not fussed about the cost of this as it is what it is. 

But the GEM was cleaned by the garage and they tested to make sure it wasn't draining the battery anymore, which now I just don't know. The problem is still there as the car doesn't start needs 2/3 times sometimes and sometimes first time.

The garage doesn't want to pay for further diagnostics or fixings as it isn't in their warranty, only "engine. Clutch and gearbox. But this might be the problem anyway?

It's unclear what the issue is at this stage.

born_again

bettingonmycats said:

Sorry I'll explain better 
Ford Kuga, 2008, 90k miles, not on credit.
GEM is basically the board that controls all the electrics. Auto electrician tested to see what was draining the battery and found that it was turning on/off all the time and draining it.

I changed a battery on my own back without testing anything, not fussed about the cost of this as it is what it is. 

But the GEM was cleaned by the garage and they tested to make sure it wasn't draining the battery anymore, which now I just don't know. The problem is still there as the car doesn't start needs 2/3 times sometimes and sometimes first time.

The garage doesn't want to pay for further diagnostics or fixings as it isn't in their warranty, only "engine. Clutch and gearbox. But this might be the problem anyway?

It's unclear what the issue is at this stage.

When was car last fully serviced?
Has anyone looked for any fault codes?

bettingonmycats

born_again said:

bettingonmycats said:

Sorry I'll explain better 
Ford Kuga, 2008, 90k miles, not on credit.
GEM is basically the board that controls all the electrics. Auto electrician tested to see what was draining the battery and found that it was turning on/off all the time and draining it.

I changed a battery on my own back without testing anything, not fussed about the cost of this as it is what it is. 

But the GEM was cleaned by the garage and they tested to make sure it wasn't draining the battery anymore, which now I just don't know. The problem is still there as the car doesn't start needs 2/3 times sometimes and sometimes first time.

The garage doesn't want to pay for further diagnostics or fixings as it isn't in their warranty, only "engine. Clutch and gearbox. But this might be the problem anyway?

It's unclear what the issue is at this stage.

When was car last fully serviced?
Has anyone looked for any fault codes?

Car has good full service history. Last I think was Nov 23. No fault codes, ran a full diagnostics in the garage.

Okell

That's nearly two years ago

bettingonmycats

Okell said:

That's nearly two years ago

But it shouldn't be playing up like this... I had it less than 30 days. If I get it serviced and it doesn't fix it that's more money wasted?

Ayr_Rage

As it's 17 years old I'd be asking for a refund, trying to pin down a fault and get parts for an old donkey that is nearly at the end of its life would be throwing good money after bad.

Baldytyke88

p00hsticks said:

I think the Ford GEM ( General Electronic Module) is basically the computer that controls the various electronic components in the car.
From our experience with a brand new Ford Fiesta, there seem to be an awful lot of electronic components that remain working even when the car is off and garaged - we had a flat battery soon after we bought it after the car had been garaged for a few days, and now regularly charge it if it's not been used for a decent run for more than a week or so. 

Or if it's left parked outside, a solar charger might work for the OP?