What happens if a garage cannot restart a car after repairs

[Nitgel]

What happens if a garage 'breaks' a car.

I took my car into a dealership garage at the end of April for a clutch change. They did the job then when i went to pick it up they said it couldn't start.

I am not waiting for the car and they can't find out why it won't start! I am not sure what to do other that wait. it's a dealership so they can ask Ford tech for advice but it's really bizarre. It's a newish car.

I also have it on PCP and the finance company don't seem to care as it wasn't a fault within the first six months since I got it.

The garage have given me a courtesy car but honestly what would happen if they can't fix the car at all.

It's driving me crackers.

They must be able to diagnose the fault. Then it will depend on what is wrong.

i know, they have said Ford Tech gave advice but that hasn't worked.

nothing they try works! this is a main dealership

Did it start before you took it there? Was it a recall, a newish car wouldn't need a new clutch normally

yes it worked. it was slower and all over the place drive wise and they diagnosed a new clutch. They fitted the clutch. I know it's a new car but I couldn't prove the clutch was dodge when i got it over 2 years ago. The issue is the car doesn't start at all now since they changed the clutch.

They ring me sporadically to say that they have no idea what's wrong with it.

We have just had major problems with a Toyota main dealership who misdiagnosed our cars problem- charged us to fix it, then declared it wasn’t fixed and it would be either £1600 more or if it wasn’t that £1900 further!
I went nuclear and eventually they fixed it at their cost (afree the initial amount we had already paid) and also gave us a full set of new tyres as I had threatened going to the motor ombudsman.

Do they really have no idea what’s causing it?

No they have no idea. I have no idea why. or do they.

Then I guess they need to go through how the car starts - button / key / immobiliser issue then if not that starter motor, fuel issue, battery

note I’m not a mechanic but surely that’s the logical thing ? Try each part and then move on to the next?

have you googled the error code they are getting now? It helped me to argue my point with ours.

I can ask them for the error code but honestly they are such gatekeepers and dont want to tell me anything

Apart from ' we don't know what's wrong with it.'

If you have paid for the diagnostic tests then the report is yours!

Oh that's interesting. I will ask for it. Thank you

Presumably, it’s had a new dual mass flywheel along with the clutch. Ask them to make sure they’ve fitted the flywheel in the correct orientation - ask me how I know.

Would that cause the car to not start

Yes, if the trigger for the crank sensor is on the flywheel as they often are. It’s an error I’ve made personally so was the first thing to come to mind in relation to non starting after a clutch change. Being a main dealer I’d expect they’ve already considered this but you never know.

Thanks for this. I will email the garage with that information. I have a tracker on the car and it looks like it's just sitting in the car park for the past week.