Hello! I have an '06 TL w/165K miles, car was parked & hit in the driver front quarter panel by a UPS truck. Thought damage was all cosmetic, as I was able to drive home, BUT, the next morning, after a brief drive the car wouldn't start!

I know the starter is old, but could the impact have sent the starter to a quicker death, giving its location? I just find it WAY too coincidental...

Any thoughts or advice is appreciated..

Thanks!

Scott

 

so, did you call your insurance company?
did you notify UPS?
or the police?

have you checked the battery?
if you only think its cosmetic, tear down the car and see if any internal damage.
starters go bad.

these would be my starting points on pinpointing why its not starting.

 

Battery is fine. Got Police Report, notified UPS (and their insurance), got the car towed to body shop, etc. My issue is, the insurance company will try to say the two are unrelated... I'm not convinced given the timing of events and the location of the starter! UGH!

 

thanks for filling out more of the details.


how fast was the impact?
is anything else damaged in the engine bay?
if not, it might be coincidence.

 

starters seem to go on our cars between 150-170k miles

At least according to the mileage some members had to replace theirs so it might just be a coincidence.