Help! Daughter Stranded in New Zealand

[hornetrider]

Queenstown is a big place. Lots of garages, problem solved. Tell her to go and do a bungy jump while she's waiting.

[GravelBen]

Spydaman said:

She's in Queenstown

2hrs away from me or I'd lend a hand.

Call the AA, they're called the AA here as well. Its not exactly a 3rd world country.

[Bill]

Spydaman said:

Good point abou the petrol but it's not even turning over so probably not that.
I suspect battery too and have asked her to check the headlights worka dn are bright.
I also suspect the starter motor and have asked her to rock it backwards and forwards in gear. I'll get her to whack the start but is it accesssible?

The battery could have enough power to run the lights but not enough to turn the engine over.

Either call the AA or get some passers by to bump start it and drive to a garage. If she lacks the gumption to do that then you should probably get her on a flight home before she has a real crisis.

[Bill]

If it's an auto it could be the neutral start switch, when mine went at a similar age (and inexperience) in Oz the nice AA man showed me how to short the solenoid with a screwdriver. Eventually I got bored with opening the bonnet every time I wanted to go anywhere so I bodged a push switch

[rhinochopig]

Sweller said:

If its a manual, press the clutch, then turn the key

Could well be this - caught me out when I bought my Evo.

[GravelBen]

Sweller said:

If its a manual, press the clutch, then turn the key

Don't think any of the 2nd-gen Legacies needed the clutch in to start, my '97 didn't but my '02 does.

[Grenoble]

Spydaman said:

Need some help with my daughters car. She's 20, on her own in New Zealand and her car wont start. It's a 95 Subaru Legacy that wont turn over on the key. Apparently the radio works but thats all I know. Where do I start to help her?

Immobiliser?

My old Saab had one that kicked in 30 secs after opening the door. Radio, lights, etc worked, but engine wouldn't even turn over. Try locking all the doors from the key fob, wait a mo, then reopen.

[McWigglebum4th]

She has pushed the wee button on the keyfob that disarms the immobiliser

[GravelBen]

McWigglebum4th said:

Pics?

Here you go.



It was a pic of Queenstown you wanted right?

[hornetrider]

Remarkable.

[GravelBen]

[hornetrider]

Stunning pic though Ben. I have a similar pano of Kaikoura hanging in our hallway.

[Spydaman]

GravelBen said:

McWigglebum4th said:

Pics?

Here you go.



It was a pic of Queenstown you wanted right?

Thanks. Now my desktop.

Still not going but sounds like flat battery or starter motor.

[anonymous-user]

Spydaman said:

Need some help with my daughters car. She's 20, on her own in New Zealand and her car wont start. It's a 95 Subaru Legacy that wont turn over on the key. Apparently the radio works but thats all I know. Where do I start to help her?

Just when you thought you'd heard everything

This is NZ, it's quite friendly and populated. If she called you then she can call 111 and ask for help.

[Spydaman]

111 is that like 999? Sounds a bit over the top for a car that won't start. She's quite capable of sorting it but wants some pointers to do it herself. As I've never had anything to do with a Subaru I thought I'd ask here.

[rhinochopig]

GravelBen said:

McWigglebum4th said:

Pics?

Here you go.



It was a pic of Queenstown you wanted right?

I went up in the Redbull Pitts over Queenstown and the lake. One of THE best experiences ever - felt sick as a dog afterwards mind.

[GravelBen]

hornetrider said:

Stunning pic though Ben. I have a similar pano of Kaikoura hanging in our hallway.

Very nice! I can't take the credit for the one I posted, google found it for me. My photos of Queenstown tend to be taken from the spiky thing in the background.

[anonymous-user]

Spydaman said:

111 is that like 999? Sounds a bit over the top for a car that won't start. She's quite capable of sorting it but wants some pointers to do it herself. As I've never had anything to do with a Subaru I thought I'd ask here.

As over the top as asking the internet what do with a broken car that is currently sitting 12,000 miles away with no more details than the radio still works?

If she is 'quote capable of sorting it' why are you asking for help?

Don't phone 111, don't seek out advice, good luck

[GravelBen]

Spydaman said:

111 is that like 999? Sounds a bit over the top for a car that won't start. She's quite capable of sorting it but wants some pointers to do it herself. As I've never had anything to do with a Subaru I thought I'd ask here.

111 is the emergency number yes.

Has she checked the battery terminals aren't loose? Giving the starter motor a tap with something solid is usually worth a try too. Otherwise conscripting a passing local for a jump-start could be the best option.

[Krikkit]

Papa Hotel said:

You say she's an adult?

Doesn't sound like it. Break down in foreign country-> Ring Dad for help despite being 12 time zones away.