Heater bust... does the AA warrenty cover?

[mahju]

Hi All,

Driving home last night and there's a burnt plasticy smell (never good, but hey, I've had worse), and the fan for the heater gives out... arse. Common problem with elises I know... which means I've had most common ones now (Alternator, Steering Rack, etc the guy that buys this in the spring will get a car with all the firday afternoon lotus bugs removed)

I've got an AA warrenty and will call them soon, but wondering if anyone else here has had it covered by the AA. The reason that I ask is that the conditions say that for air conditioning, the compressor is covered, but nothing else. I fear that their definition of A/C might be reather broad and mean no coverage... but i wont to know before I phone.

Also for those that have had it done, what's the damage? (around £800 springs to mind from browsing here over the last 2 years), and I think that the AA has a £ per hour limit, so if its covered then i'd appreciate suggestions on where to take it (currently London Lotus does my servicing, but happy to make a trip to other places to get it done for a good saving).

Thanks in advance all! and sorry in advance for not replying right away as I'm off to the pub now...

Cheers
-matt

[Sparkie17]

My Exige is in now for a new heater matrix.....£40 part and a full days labour....front clam has to come off.....so pretty much £350 (independant garage)....

[lotustuart]

AS FAR AS I KNOW IT WILL NOT COVER YOU. THE AA STATE THAT TO BE COVERED YOU HAVE TO CALL THEM OUT AND FOR THE AA MAN TO SAY THE CAR IS NO LONGER SAFE/ABLE TO DRIVE.
i MAY BE WRONG THOUGH

(SORRY 4 CAPS, CAN`T BE ARSED TO RE WRITE IT!)

[Zebede29]

hardly the best time of the year for it to go mate, sorry to hear.

Hopee its not too costly to fix

[andy_s]

lotustuart said:

AS FAR AS I KNOW IT WILL NOT COVER YOU. THE AA STATE THAT TO BE COVERED YOU HAVE TO CALL THEM OUT AND FOR THE AA MAN TO SAY THE CAR IS NO LONGER SAFE/ABLE TO DRIVE.
i MAY BE WRONG THOUGH

(SORRY 4 CAPS, CAN`T BE ARSED TO RE WRITE IT!)

My father in law was telling me exactly the same thing regarding the AA warranty - it had to be wrapped up in a normal call out and unable to carry on safely before it applied.

[Beachbum]

So a cold night with a threat of a freezing windscreen would fall into that catagory

[mahju]

Beachbum said:

So a cold night with a threat of a freezing windscreen would fall into that catagory

Excellent - thanks all... I'll give them a go tonight =D

[S Works]

I heard from a friendly person from a dealership that on cars from 04 onwards this is now a little-known recall IF a particular part of the assembly has failed. Something to do with a sensor or switch or something on the assembly itself.

Firstly I'd have a chat to Lotus Customer Services to ask.

Secondly mine's just been done by Maidstone Sportscars in Headcorn, and it cost ~£650 (parts, labour + vat) as part of a large service I had done. Speak to them if you want it done at a non-Franchised place in the SE, or somewhere like Lakeside or Sinclaires.

I believe if you have the work done and send the part back to Lotus, and it's faulty, you may be able to get some of the repair cost back.

Sadly I learned too late of this, and the part's now in the bin I suspect.