Ford dealer misdiagnosed a repair.

Soda Popinski

cadman wrote: »

They should, but they may figure he ain't a regular customer and forget him. It sounds like he got it fixed already. At the least they should give him a credit for future work or some free service as a minimum. But a lot depends on the dealer and his customer relationship.

My Dodge dealer service center is very good and I like them. They seem to treat their customers well. Their sales department I was not fond of since they mark up the vehicles above MSRP.

I've had my Ram 1500 in twice since I bought it. I got it used with the certified preowned 100k mile powertrain. The exhaust manifold bolts break and have to be replaced. Apparently it's a common problem. I've had it in twice and both times they did a good job. 1st time they replaced an entire cylinder head to the tune of $2650 all covered.

I'm not saying all dealerships are bad. But when that warranty does expire, i'll be taking it to my local guy from then on.

electrodog

cadman wrote: »

No, you are arguing the quality of the work. In your opinion, they did not fix it. They will dispute that and have a signed invoice showing you agreed to pay for that repair. That is all they have to furnish to the credit card company. It is a civil dispute.

Nope, you are wrong. I am not arguing the quality of the work, I am arguing the REPAIR. It is not only MY opinion they did not fix it, it is theirs as well! This was confirmed when they misdiagnosed the problem again. In essence when they retested the vehicle and said "something else is bad" they "admitted" they were wrong the first time. I agreed to pay, to fix my truck not to play "guess whats wrong".

I agree it is a civil dispute and I may have to take them to small claims court, but based on the information they provided in the work order and the error codes the truck displayed, and the fact that they said something else was wrong, the evidence is on my side. They may choose to continue fighting and I have no problem with that but they will realize it will be better for them to settle.

cadman

electrodog wrote: »

Nope, you are wrong. I am not arguing the quality of the work, I am arguing the REPAIR. It is not only MY opinion they did not fix it, it is theirs as well! This was confirmed when they misdiagnosed the problem again. In essence when they retested the vehicle and said "something else is bad" they "admitted" they were wrong the first time. I agreed to pay, to fix my truck not to play "guess whats wrong".

I agree it is a civil dispute and I may have to take them to small claims court, but based on the information they provided in the work order and the error codes the truck displayed, and the fact that they said something else was wrong, the evidence is on my side. They may choose to continue fighting and I have no problem with that but they will realize it will be better for them to settle.

I think you missed an important detail. You say they said "Something else is wrong". That does not mean they feel the part they replaced was not defective, but that you had multiple issues with the truck. They can claim that part was bad and there were other issues with the truck that needed fixing.

I don't doubt they screwed up. I doubt they admit it. It becomes your word against theirs. Hopefully they offer you some kind of deal to settle the issue.

cadman

Soda Popinski wrote: »

I've had my Ram 1500 in twice since I bought it. I got it used with the certified preowned 100k mile powertrain. The exhaust manifold bolts break and have to be replaced. Apparently it's a common problem. I've had it in twice and both times they did a good job. 1st time they replaced an entire cylinder head to the tune of $2650 all covered.

I'm not saying all dealerships are bad. But when that warranty does expire, i'll be taking it to my local guy from then on.

Mine is an 07 with the lifetime bumper to bumper they offered during a promotion at the time. It is one of the reason I have the dealer do the service. If it breaks they can't claim did not do the required service.

Soda Popinski

cadman wrote: »

Mine is an 07 with the lifetime bumper to bumper they offered during a promotion at the time. It is one of the reason I have the dealer do the service. If it breaks they can't claim did not do the required service.

nice. I don't think they even sell that bumper to bumper infinite warranty anymore. I won't buy a vehicle without some kind of warranty but it has to be through the factory, none of these aftermarket warranties. once bitten....

electrodog

cadman wrote: »

I think you missed an important detail. You say they said "Something else is wrong". That does not mean they feel the part they replaced was not defective, but that you had multiple issues with the truck. They can claim that part was bad and there were other issues with the truck that needed fixing.

I don't doubt they screwed up. I doubt they admit it. It becomes your word against theirs. Hopefully they offer you some kind of deal to settle the issue.

I think if Ford hadn't come out with a TSB that specifically covers the issue that instructs the technician to look at the Injector/glow plug harness than it would be my word against theirs, but its also FORD'S words against theirs and I have taken photographs to "prove" it just isn't "my word" against theirs. I would think when the proof is right in front of you its easier to come clean and admit the mistake and move on. Right now I literally have a complaint with Ford, the State of Florida, the local consumer group and the BBB. I dont mind taking them to smalls claims court if it goes that far, I would just think with all the evidence stacked against you why would you waste anymore time and resources? Reverse the charges and hope I go away or expect to see me picket the business every weekend until the court case is heard.:)

electrodog

cadman wrote: »

Mine is an 07 with the lifetime bumper to bumper they offered during a promotion at the time. It is one of the reason I have the dealer do the service. If it breaks they can't claim did not do the required service.

Lifetime bumper to bumper? Wow! I would keep that truck forever! I still wouldn't bring it to AutoNation for service though!

cadman

electrodog wrote: »

Lifetime bumper to bumper? Wow! I would keep that truck forever!

I bought it with that intention.

electrodog

Not holding my breathe with the BBB, how can they give a business with so many negative complaints a A+ rating?

stc1993

BBB is all BS the ratings these days doesn't mean squat.

tunaman

Sounds a lot like Mullinax Ford in New Smyrna

century7

tunaman wrote: »

Sounds a lot like Mullinax Ford in New Smyrna

I believe this automation ford in margate was a Mullinax dealer years ago

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

electrodog

century7 wrote: »

I believe this automation ford in margate was a Mullinax dealer years ago

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

You are correct. The funny thing is the diesel tech that use to work there opened his own shop and is doing fantastic. I asked him about the AutoNation "take over" and he had nothing good to say. In hindsight, I wish I would have waited for him to look at my truck instead of the misfits at AutoNation.

tunaman

century7 wrote: »

I believe this automation ford in margate was a Mullinax dealer years ago

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

In all fairness, my problem was with a finance mgr, later promoted to Gen manager. Mr Mullinax actually TRIED to correct the situation but turned out to be to little too late. That and the Quick Lube flat out lied to me about the tire rotation that never happened!! I since have bought 3 new Rams which are a superior truck compared to the new Ford. They did me a favor!

Heatwave

stc1993 wrote: »

BBB is all BS the ratings these days doesn't mean squat.

So true, you have to wonder if how much MONEY it would take to up it a grade ?

phlatsphil

No one but the dealer touches my cars, ever. I guess I've been lucky because I've never been ripped off. It's difficult enough to find someone who can troubleshoot an old style carburetor and distributor car, let alone modern cars with FADECs (Full Authority Digital Engine Controllers).

Mullinax Ford in NSB troubleshot an issue in my F150 and said it was the computer. Truck would start cold but wouldn't start after being driven a few miles.... or when it was warmed up. I paid the ~$600 for replacement computer. The next day, same problem. They then replaced the circuit breaker panel, no charge. The next day, same issue. Finally, they replaced the starter, NO CHARGE. Apparently, one of the starter windings was shorting out when it got hot.

Good company, good practices.

tunaman

phlatsphil wrote: »

No one but the dealer touches my cars, ever. I guess I've been lucky because I've never been ripped off. It's difficult enough to find someone who can troubleshoot an old style carburetor and distributor car, let alone modern cars with FADECs (Full Authority Digital Engine Controllers).

Mullinax Ford in NSB troubleshot an issue in my F150 and said it was the computer. Truck would start cold but wouldn't start after being driven a few miles.... or when it was warmed up. I paid the ~$600 for replacement computer. The next day, same problem. They then replaced the circuit breaker panel, no charge. The next day, same issue. Finally, they replaced the starter, NO CHARGE. Apparently, one of the starter windings was shorting out when it got hot.

Good company, good practices.

Really? sounds to me like they stink diagnosing a simple starter problem...

pottydoc

phlatsphil wrote: »

No one but the dealer touches my cars, ever. I guess I've been lucky because I've never been ripped off. It's difficult enough to find someone who can troubleshoot an old style carburetor and distributor car, let alone modern cars with FADECs (Full Authority Digital Engine Controllers).

Mullinax Ford in NSB troubleshot an issue in my F150 and said it was the computer. Truck would start cold but wouldn't start after being driven a few miles.... or when it was warmed up. I paid the ~$600 for replacement computer. The next day, same problem. They then replaced the circuit breaker panel, no charge. The next day, same issue. Finally, they replaced the starter, NO CHARGE. Apparently, one of the starter windings was shorting out when it got hot.

Good company, good practices.

Yup, sounds like they are really sharp. They just keep swapping parts till they get the correct one. Did they refund you the difference between the starter cost and the computer. I'm betting it was more......

electrodog

phlatsphil wrote: »

No one but the dealer touches my cars, ever. I guess I've been lucky because I've never been ripped off. It's difficult enough to find someone who can troubleshoot an old style carburetor and distributor car, let alone modern cars with FADECs (Full Authority Digital Engine Controllers).

Mullinax Ford in NSB troubleshot an issue in my F150 and said it was the computer. Truck would start cold but wouldn't start after being driven a few miles.... or when it was warmed up. I paid the ~$600 for replacement computer. The next day, same problem. They then replaced the circuit breaker panel, no charge. The next day, same issue. Finally, they replaced the starter, NO CHARGE. Apparently, one of the starter windings was shorting out when it got hot.

Good company, good practices.

At least they stood behind their repair. Even if it took them awhile!:wink

electrodog

UPDATE!!

Just got word from a trusted diesel mechanic that the under valve cover harness (UVC), was indeed coming undone. He took pictures and was shocked that the Ford tech didn't figure out this "common" problem. He sent me some photos as "evidence" and I am feeling pretty good going up against AutoNation.

tunaman

pottydoc wrote: »

Yup, sounds like they are really sharp. They just keep swapping parts till they get the correct one. Did they refund you the difference between the starter cost and the computer. I'm betting it was more......

Of coarse the computer is more, but once hooked up they can't restock it. Dont worry, they made out just fine, bunch of crooks!! I bought 10 vehicles there in 12 trs, all but 2 new. Then they tried to shove the eco-boost crap down my throat in 2012.

mustang190

The majority of the time it's a simple wiring problem or a sensor gone bad.
We have all Mack and Volvo trucks mechanically they are sound. But with all the computers and sensors that is the problems. And they are many especially the regen system.

electrodog

Well the dealer responded to the BBB complaint and it was rather amusing. Not only did I catch them in a couple of lies, (which I can prove), they tried to blame the incorrect diagnosis on the, "older vehicle". The first incorrect diagnosis was according to them, "a starting point" Seriously, a starting point? This is what using "factory trained technicians" gets you? They still offered to "fix" my vehicle with their second incorrect diagnosis, now for the low price of $500.00 I can have more "good" parts replaced.

Anyone thinking of going to Auto Nation service- DON'T!!!!!!!!

electrodog

mustang190 wrote: »

The majority of the time it's a simple wiring problem or a sensor gone bad.
We have all Mack and Volvo trucks mechanically they are sound. But with all the computers and sensors that is the problems. And they are many especially the regen system.

I will remember that in the future.....

SJC

As a technician and someone who has worked on many ford diesels It blows my mind that a ford tech cant figure out a problem with the most simple engine in the world. Shoot an simple injector buzz test would have shown a harness problem

cadman

electrodog,

I am confused. I thought that was a photo of your wiring harness with the chaffed wires above and that was the problem. Now it appears to be the UVC or was their multiple issues with the truck??

micci_man

I'm betting the chaffed wires wasn't a problem (but needs to be addressed) and the other tech may have found the real issue.

electrodog

cadman wrote: »

electrodog,

I am confused. I thought that was a photo of your wiring harness with the chaffed wires above and that was the problem. Now it appears to be the UVC or was their multiple issues with the truck??

I repaired the wire harness, and since there was a TSB regarding the UVC I went ahead and had a diesel shop check to see if the connector had pulled away, (proof that the TSB was never addressed). As you can see from the photos the UVC connector had pulled away. When I repaired the harness I didn't experience the problem anymore, but after researching the whole UVC problem I decided to get it done before it became a problem. Truck has been running great since.

electrodog

micci_man wrote: »

I'm betting the chaffed wires wasn't a problem (but needs to be addressed) and the other tech may have found the real issue.

I think it was an issue, and anyone who owns a 7.3 powerstroke should check that harness for wear and fix it before it becomes a big problem!

Resinhead

I own 3 now. An X with 320k and 2 F250 with over 250k each. My X had the hard fuel lines on the top chaff once and was spraying fuel like a garden hose. Both F250's are running strong but one is burning oil at a good clip. About a gallon per tank. I think one or more injectors has blown an oring and oil is mixing with the fuel.

Best diesel motor ever built. I'm contemplating converting 2 motors to marine life in a day boat project.