My wifes car wouldn't start yesterday when out shopping with her Kia ceed. So called out Britannia rescue who got us home saying the 5 year old battery had packed up but he used is battery booster to get it started.

That was the situation until this morning and have to say bit disappointed with the service not having used them before and tel you why
We rang the AA (not members then) and out their guy came and after a few electrical checks found the negative earth had lost contact with the car body where the earth strap bolts to the car body, it had a lot of white dust type stuff on it. He cleaned it up and yep the car started.

So what has this to do with me freelander?

While he was here he checked out the battery on it without charging me and I have to say I was impressed so joined my wife and myself on both cars. Luck changed and we didn,t get charged to add the freelancer to the AA policy.

I did read somewhere that if you put 2 different metal elements together in some circumstances a chemical reaction takes place causing his white dust type powder to form which is why a copper? washer is used to stop it Ex 2010 Freelander2 GS-e Diesel manual Silver owner

Good to hear of the result. That's the first negative comment I've seen about Britannia - we've been with them for years and have always been given excellent service. Of course, they always use local garages so there's potentially the chance of a rogue one. Make sure you complete the feedback card they send you so the poor service is noted. Hope you get on OK with the AA. Ours - 2008 Stornoway Grey HSE Auto
Tricia's - 2006 Royal Blue Beetle Cabriolet Auto
Mine - 2014 Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport Matt Black
Ours - 2007 White Bailey Pageant Champagne

What really annoyed me was Britannia Rescue sent out a huge piggyback lorry after waiting an hour or more and the guy gave a false indication of the problem. Even if he did give a correct diagnosis he had no tools on board apart from a battery booster. I said to him look like a bad earth connection but he insisted it needed a new battery which it didn't.

Now although I am no car mechanic if the battery reads across the terminals 12.4 v then there is not much wrong with it. when he went from positive to body earth(Negative) it started which is an obvious sign of a bad earth on the battery . Even a simple plank like me knows that but he did not.

Surely any breakdown service should at least sent out a recovery service that has at least a set of spanners (which is all it took) but he had none. Yes I know they use local garages but should at least check that whoever they use are properly equipped.
Had it not beed for a retaining clamp at the base of the battery I could have done the job myself with only an adjustable spanner.

When the AA man came out he had everything including an earth strap on board which is what I would expect. I have been also with B Rescue for many years without needing them and after this experience I am going to stay well clear Ex 2010 Freelander2 GS-e Diesel manual Silver owner

Good experience today with the AA - filled my diesel Laguna with unleaded. Got 6 miles before I realised. I thought once you had started the engine under these circumstances that was it but they came out after less than 1 hr, drained, flushed & put an additioive through the system & I was good to go. Then about an hour later had to call them out again as it refused to start. With me within 30 mins, sorted out the airlock & I was off again. Felt like a complete tool for using the wrong fuel but the AA Fuelsave man assured me that I was his third call that morning! From a time when dinosaurs weren't just confined to zoos!

I am also with the AA if I have a breakdown they pay up to £600 towards the repairs.

read the small print
AA parts cover is not worth the paper it's printed on.
Towing the van down to Cornwall, overheated several times on the way down.
Took her into local LR dealer - blocked radiator sir, great AA will pay as I have parts cover.
Radiator is covered, but not if it's blocked internally or externally, not if it's corroded, not if it has impact damage (stone?).

basically it's covered for a lightening strike.

Pointed out that it was going to cost less to replace the radiator, than to tow car and van home, they weren't bothered, - it's company policy sir.  Tangiers Orange - gone, missing her
Replaced by Ewok what a mistake - now a happy Disco Sport owner

Quote:

basically it's covered for a lightening strike.

Can't see that phrase without thinking of the movie "The man who sued God" Tangiers Orange - gone, missing her
Replaced by Ewok what a mistake - now a happy Disco Sport owner

Graham t wrote:

Good experience today with the AA - filled my diesel Laguna with unleaded. Got 6 miles before I realised. I thought once you had started the engine under these circumstances that was it but they came out after less than 1 hr, drained, flushed & put an additioive through the system & I was good to go. Then about an hour later had to call them out again as it refused to start. With me within 30 mins, sorted out the airlock & I was off again. Felt like a complete tool for using the wrong fuel but the AA Fuelsave man assured me that I was his third call that morning!

had the same experience but was charged by the aa£320 when the wife filled up with unleaded,was told it was negligence and was not covered hence the costs

Hmmm there was a veiled mention of a charge being made to the lease company. I'll wait & see what filters down to my employer & thence to me!  From a time when dinosaurs weren't just confined to zoos!

£320 per call, and three in a morning

We are all in the wrong jobs

Even the Mrs would struggle to spend that much, then again at that rate I would work 7 days a week, justto avoid the shopping. Tangiers Orange - gone, missing her
Replaced by Ewok what a mistake - now a happy Disco Sport owner

Was on holiday and fan belt snapped on my FL1 making a right racket. Was about 200 yards from a 4x4 garage so coasted in to see if they could do a fast fix. Was messy and they were jammed up with work, so I rang the AA to arrange relay back home. "Sorry sir, you're at a garage so we won't do anything" Small print apparently. When I told the garage they relented and promised to fix it next day. I rang the AA back, immediately cancelled with them, and rang the RAC and set up with them. By the way, was in my caravan so was well and truly stuffed.(CG, I'm not a farmer of any type so don't get exorbitant subsidies for being born into a wealthy environment so can only afford caravan holidays)