Visit joint Toyota/Ford Mareeba to discuss current situation and find Prado just in kilometre Warranty period [60,000klm] for starter motor. Earliest examination was scheduled for 2.00pm that day and if replacement part required, need to be ordered/supplied from Brisbane or Townsville………this could take 2 – 4 days delivery (ridiculous – Cairns is 60 km away), then repairs could be another couple of days to schedule.
After jump starting, Tony & Michael go off to recommended Northern Auto Electrical – Mareeba for a second opinion….they look at the vehicle immediately. Mick [Hawthorn supporter] was very professional and thoroughly tested the battery for charge and the individual cells. Mick confirms RACQ opinion of a faulty starter motor and recommends changeover under warranty He suggests the contacts have warn. The cost was $22.00…..very happy with their assistance and charge. He says that he can get the part up and into the car today!!! But that since it is under warranty we should go that way. What on earth is the matter with Toyota?
Tony & Michael revisit Toyota Mareeba and advise that they will travel to nearby Cairns [63klm away] and would they setup an appointment with Toyota Cairns. They were not prepared to do this, so Michael rang through and booked an appointment for next day, along with ensuring a replacement starter motor was ordered to be shipped out of Townsville overnight. We have to say that we are most unhappy with Toyotas service up here. Michael was asked on phoning Cairns if he had driven through water, since this would nullify the warranty. The service guy told him he could only drive through water up to the wheel nuts and that it said so in his book. If the starter motor has water in it - bad luck. Michael said – the thing is sealed! This would mean that it had to have been faulty to get water in it surely. (me saying this). Michael has been through the book and it talks about driving through rivers, in sea water etc, but then says to drive in water no deeper than 27 inches. This is well above the wheel nuts!
Tony took his tyre to have it looked at – he has had several suggestions as to why it failed (all RACQ’s fault) and asked for a report which he planned to send to RACQ. Unfortunately the tyre was ‘staked’ and had an inch long slit in it – no chance or repairs. Tony has had the tyre for 10 days and now needs a new one.
Off to Cairns and booked into the Heritage Hotel where we stayed last year when in Cairns.
Cairns is much more interesting and many more attractions than Mareeba, plus many more eating alternatives.
Evening meal on the footpath at foreshore shops, just watching the world go by on a very mild night. A quick visit to night market for Dot to seek out some upmarket thongs and then a scrumptious dessert - Swiss ice cream, before strolling back to the hotel.
No comments:
Post a Comment