Today, I took my car into the mechanic to have two tires and battery put in, all new. I later got a call saying they tried to start my car on the dead battery, which sparked and started a fire. It's gonna take two weeks to get the parts and it's minus 30 outside. FML
Collection
Halloween
A failed costume, stolen candy and a very real scare: Halloween, the one night when fear is allowed.
Today, I got into my car and it wouldn't start. I noticed I had left the lights on and assumed the battery was dead. Then, I couldn't get my key out of the ignition. So, I called AAA only to have the guy put my car in park and start the engine. FML
Today, after having my car back for a few months after a $2,000 repair, I got in, only for it to not start. Don't worry. It's not the battery. It's the engine, which was fine yesterday. FML
Today, after a snowstorm, I went to start my car early in the morning for work. The door was frozen solid, so I had to jimmy it open with a screwdriver. Then, as I started to drive off, my foot slipped off the clutch and the car stalled out. The battery was too weak to start it again. FML
Today, I went to Auto Zone because my car was having trouble starting, and I thought it was the battery. The guy checked it with their reader, and confirmed it was dying. Right after he put the battery in, my starter died. I had to get my car towed to the shop. FML
Today, I picked up my car from the repair shop, drove two miles, and ran out of gas. I then walked to get gas, put a gallon of gas in the car, and tried to start it. The battery was too weak to start the car, and died on the spot. FML
Today, my car wouldn't start because of the cold weather. Since I was at a friend's house, I asked him to jump-start it. After taking about ten minutes to start his vehicle and park it by mine, we found that both of our car hoods were frozen shut. FML
Today, I went out to my car to run some errands. It wouldn't start. I called AAA, only to find out my battery wasn't dead, it was stolen. FML
Today, after months of riding a bike through the rain, I finally saved up enough for a car. It was a little aged, but ran fine. That is, until a tire blew out, the engine stalled, and the battery died within one week. FML
Today, my car broke down. My boyfriend, who is not too handy, insisted on fixing it. He called me outside and said he was done and started the engine. Moments after rejoicing, it burst into flames. FML
Today, my classic car that I've put hours of wrench time into burst into flames when I tried to start it. FML
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Top comments
thespoiler502 5
They owe you a rental car.
ThrottleJockey 36
$10 says that they put a jump box on your frozen and dead battery to start your car and move it in from the lot to the work bay inside. Usually the car won't start but I have seen sparks fly if the clamps either touch each other or, in this case, the electricity from the jump box finds an easier path to ground than through your wasted battery.
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Comments (34)
Selene1090 26
Now, I don't know much about cars but why would they try to start it with a dead battery?? That's their fault.
toolazytotype99 18
They probably charged it and then tried to see if it would start
MrEldritch 14
Well if the car was parked outside when it was brought it in for the appointment, then the tech would probably start by trying to start it in order to bring it inside for repair. Nevertheless, sorry about the car, unexpected car troubles really suck, hope the repair is prompt and without any further issues.
fern559 13
Hopefully, you don't have to pay for those parts since it was their fault.
j11a01 16
As a mechanic, I can say I've seen weird shit like that happen. I mean dead battery has to be jumped to get it started to move cars. Faulty wires can short and cause issues. It's not anyones fault, just unlucky. If it happened at a shop I'd be grateful. Just imagine that happening in the middle of no where. That is unless they did something idiotic to cause it.
sirdannyboy1 20
On the bright side, OP, you can press charges and keep warm with their money.
mariri9206 32
Or they could try and work it out with the auto shop directly before jumping the gun and involving the law. For instance, getting OP a temporary car to use to get around until their's is fixed, which they should def do/OP should def ask for, if they haven't already offered.
Bearsmomma 30
Dammit, I meant to select "Don't like".
utzdman55 20
Your car seems.... pretty lit But seriously OP, don't they know it's mechanic policy when starting a car fire to stay warm to only set ablaze their own vehicles?
sarcasmismyno1 22
Uhhhh, that's not how it works usually. I'd call that shop out and see what really happened.
GreenReaper 13
I'm going to ignore the unlikeliness of the explanation and point out that since the mechanic screwed up and caused the problem, they are responsible for not only the cost of fixing the car, but also paying for a rental car for you until it is fixed.
demoiselleangel 5
The shop should have a baileys policy (insures your car for example that gets damaged on their property). at the least they need yo cover the parts and labor along with a rental car for you to get around.
kirkaygri 18
Yep, if its an actual shop and not a backyard mechanic, they'll have insurance. We had a local shop go up in flames and their insurance paid for the damages to all the cars inside (5) and the ones damaged by the heat outside (basically, they replaced like 20 cars and the rentals needed). It was no-fault, just old wiring and the guy got a new building out of it. I was impressed they covered as much as they did.
squigmo 0
You could always warm up in that weather by standing near the fiery heat of your car battery... Silver linings, OP. On a serious note, see if they won't issue you a free rental until they can get it fixed. After all, it is their fault.
ALonelyStranger 12
This is where a lawyer comes in handy
Bearsmomma 30
Better yet, a reasonable conversation first. They may be willing to take care of things without a lawyer. Spare yourself the cost of lawyers and court, and try being a mature adult first. I'll tell you as I tell my kids... Use your words.
Tinyprancer 4
They better cover the cost of a rental car if they don't want you to get the BBB involved. Also, someone explain to me how a dead battery could start a fire. Pretty sure that's an insane excuse to cover up something extremely stupid they did to your car.