I have a 2000 CLK 320 which was rear ended and though still drivable, was parked until the garage could subsequently collect it.
When they arrived the battery was flat as a result of the boot light being on for a few days a consequence of the impact damage. The AA partrolman arrived and I had been informed by the insurers not to force open the boot as the claim had not been settled. Therefore the patrolman said he would jump start it from the engine block, he tried using the battery pack they carry, then brought his vehicle over and connected the leads to his additional power source in his vehicle.
He did not connect the lead to the correct points in the engine ( I found this out later through research on this site). After his revving the engine we got my car to start, but the engine spluttered for a long time .
Six weeks later I got my car repaired, but the delivery driver told me the engine sounded awful, plus the check engine light was on all the time.
I took it to my local merc garage who told me that two of the ignition coils were burnt out and the spark plugs were scorched. When I asked it this could be the result of jump starting from the engine block they said yes.
I wrote with a claim to AA, copying in the driver receipt where it stated 'started from engine'.
Then AA three weeks later replied saying there procedures could not have caused this!!!! I have spoken to them and they have asked me to get evidence that this procedure could have caused the coils to get fried.
They said their tech dept had told them not possible. However I have no doubt the tech are not aware it was started from the engine block.
If anyone could direct me to literature, or supporting evidence that I can send to the AA in pursuit of this claim I would be most grateful. Equally if they are correct in their analysis I would like to be aware of that too.
Thanks
When they arrived the battery was flat as a result of the boot light being on for a few days a consequence of the impact damage. The AA partrolman arrived and I had been informed by the insurers not to force open the boot as the claim had not been settled. Therefore the patrolman said he would jump start it from the engine block, he tried using the battery pack they carry, then brought his vehicle over and connected the leads to his additional power source in his vehicle.
He did not connect the lead to the correct points in the engine ( I found this out later through research on this site). After his revving the engine we got my car to start, but the engine spluttered for a long time .
Six weeks later I got my car repaired, but the delivery driver told me the engine sounded awful, plus the check engine light was on all the time.
I took it to my local merc garage who told me that two of the ignition coils were burnt out and the spark plugs were scorched. When I asked it this could be the result of jump starting from the engine block they said yes.
I wrote with a claim to AA, copying in the driver receipt where it stated 'started from engine'.
Then AA three weeks later replied saying there procedures could not have caused this!!!! I have spoken to them and they have asked me to get evidence that this procedure could have caused the coils to get fried.
They said their tech dept had told them not possible. However I have no doubt the tech are not aware it was started from the engine block.
If anyone could direct me to literature, or supporting evidence that I can send to the AA in pursuit of this claim I would be most grateful. Equally if they are correct in their analysis I would like to be aware of that too.
Thanks