I hate saturn dealerships and my car at times

coopcj7 · 08-22-2008, 07:13 PM

This is long so bear with me

Here we go. It is a novel
If you want the qucik version scroll down to the devil smiley

I was pulling out of walmart last night and I immediately knew something was wrong. I had almost no power and it started missing really bad. Then my dash light up like the 4th of july. On my DIC it read "ENGINE DISABLED" then all power was lost engine died radio died nothing was working except onstar.

I called onstar after coming to a stop and I informed them what was going on and they told me a tow truck would be there in a couple hours. NICE

I get to sit in the middle of the road unable to push my car to the side for 2 hours.

Well I waited and hour or so and Itried to restart I had power to the headlights and dash now but still it would not crank and the words ENGINE DISABLED was starring at me.

The tow truck finally showed up around 2am and I talked with him a while as he was loading the sky up.

The closest dealer as 20 miles away but this was also one of the dealers that I have been kicked out of and told not to return. SO I got to pay for the tow after 20 miles to go to the next closest one.

This morning I received a call from the service department asking what the issue was and that they were going to look into it and give me a call back with the results.

Around 9am they call. Mr Cooper here is the problem your computer needs reflashed/ recalibrated due to a malfunction caused by a faulty sensor the TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) . Also Since it was a sensor that caused the Computer to need reflashed/calibrated it isnt covered under your warranty. But it is only $20. Ok I can handle $20 Also there is the $50 diagnostic fee. 70$ Still that isnt bad I can do that.

Mr Cooper there is more. Your battery is dead. I spent about 30 minutes on hold with onstar last night and I didnt think that would do it but oh well. The dealer said that when they tried running all the diagnositics that the battery kept dying and that it would need to be replaced before they could re write the ECM.

The dealer said $198 for the battery and 1.5 hours labor to install it. I told him he was crazy it should not take 1.5 hours to install this battery. He then proceeded to tell me that this was no ordinary install, I interupted by sayin let me guess you have 2 bolts that hold the upper fender on, 1 in the middle and one underneath, 4 bolts on the wheel liner and then 2 nuts on the battery terminals on and one olt that holds the battery in the tray. Dealer says well yes you seem to know that this is not a simple install.
my replay was no THIS IS an easy install, SO HERE IS WHAT I WILL DO FOR YOU!

I will buy a new battery bring it to you pull the fender off myself reinstall a new battery and put the fender back on. Quote me " I will put your mechanics to shame if they say it will take 1.5 hours, I will have it done in 20 minutes.

They said ok bring it in you can change it.

I show up with my tools my extra fender for reference and a new battery.

They told me if I want to change the battery then I will have to take it off their premises to do IT, I would not be allowed to change it on their lot. I told them ok help me push it across a busy intersection and avoid getting hit so i can change it at the gas station next door then I will bring it back.

The service manager then said oh you dont have to bring it back we decided to put a charger on the battery and jump it with a jump pack and then proceeded with the reflash.
I was amazed,

what happened to the car not starting or the battery not taking a charge and blah blah blah. So I dont need a battery? they said yeah if you leave the radio on too long then it will drain it. Well no sh!t sherlock of course that would happen.

So Basically they would of charged me for a battery, diagnostic , reflash and other shop fees well into excess of $400 and all out of pocket.

Instead I left with the orginal battery and only $70 of out pocket.

I then took my car down to advanced auto to have the battery tested under a full load like it was starting a car,
LOW AND BEHOLD THE BATTERY WAS FINE

Battery Tested to have at least 496 CCA our battery is a 580 cca under a load on a battery that has close to 60,000 miles on it.

Dealer tried to sell me a battery charge me for it charge labor fees plus the other BS they did, waste my time and money but I called them on it. So screw them

I wonder if they even did anything to my car since all my presets on my radio were still there after a full drain on the battery and ECM being reflashed. or so they say.

I am sorry for the long story but I feel better that I didnt get screwed.

BSRL · 08-22-2008, 07:32 PM

Wow, that's a shame! What a run around. What did you do to get kicked out of the other dealer? (sorry I had to laugh when I got to that point in your story, no offense).

SkyBaby · 08-22-2008, 07:36 PM

So.... was the ORIGINAL reason it "quit" ever found??? When you called me last night.. I was baffled... never had that code before... YIKES.... you know.. .I really DESPISE dealership service the majority of the time because.. no matter what , they want to RIP you off every chance they get... GREAT JOB..... on calling them out on the scam.... GOOD FOR YOU..... I hope it is resolved... SkyBaby

coopcj7 · 08-22-2008, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSRL

Wow, that's a shame! What a run around. What did you do to get kicked out of the other dealer? (sorry I had to laugh when I got to that point in your story, no offense).

that ok I am proud of it I did get screwed that time also.
I build cars for a hobby and I have a lot of automotive knowledge even ASE certified for the hell of it. I have acess to TECH 2 at times and I knew what what wrong with my car told them what was wrong and what needed fixed. They still insisted that they were going to charge me for it and then reimburse me my money if it was found to be under warranty. I told him I would not pay for anything tilll the car was done and I wanted them only to perform the necessary steps to fix the problem. They refused to work on the car until I paid for a diagnostic. I took the service write up from the techs hand, ripped it up and threw it at him told him he was nuts and that I would not pay for a thing until the probem has been addressed. After that he told me to take my car out side dont bring it back and if I did, he would let it sit outside and rust beofre he or anyone would work on it ever again. Also he said that he would make a note in the computer to not allow any worker from that dealer to touch my car for any reason.

To this day in the computer it reads for my car not to be worked on at that specific dealer I checked this morning.
All the dealerships in my area are owned by the same guy

Went to the other dealer in town and low and behold it was covered under warranty once again

**Celt03** · 08-22-2008, 08:52 PM

. . . must be related to the jack@$$ that owns a bunch of the dealerships around here.

Bogie · 08-22-2008, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coopcj7

Around 9am they call. Mr Cooper here is the problem your computer needs reflashed/ recalibrated due to a malfunction caused by a faulty sensor the TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) . Also Since it was a sensor that caused the Computer to need reflashed/calibrated it isnt covered under your warranty. But it is only $20. Ok I can handle $20 Also there is the $50 diagnostic fee. 70$ Still that isnt bad I can do that.

When you say faulty sensor, do you mean faulty sensor reading or an outright faulty sensor as in the sensor has failed? If it was a faulty reading, was the fault traced to an aftermarket mod? A faulty reading caused by an aftermarket mod may not be covered under warranty, nor anything that flows from it. However, a faulty sensor should be covered, as well as everything needed to get things back right again.

Natalie · 08-22-2008, 09:28 PM

Oh Coop...that bites! I'm with you on hating the dealership. I don't understand why they don't comprehend REPEAT BUSINESS. If you treat people right, they come back AND they recommend their friends.

coopcj7 · 08-22-2008, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bogie

When you say faulty sensor, do you mean faulty sensor reading or an outright faulty sensor as in the sensor has failed? If it was a faulty reading, was the fault traced to an aftermarket mod? A faulty reading caused by an aftermarket mod may not be covered under warranty, nor anything that flows from it. However, a faulty sensor should be covered, as well as everything needed to get things back right again.

I am out of the 3yr/36 month warranty all I have left if the powertrain warranty and the powertrian warranty doesnt cover accesory sensors and it was a sensor reading error as they did not replace the TPS sensor but I am shoping around for a new sensor as this is not the first time this has happened

cerberus · 08-22-2008, 09:59 PM

Crazy.

Only takes a couple of bad apples to ding the rep of so many good shops out there.

**Skip** · 08-22-2008, 11:04 PM

The radio presets will still be in memory even iffen you change the battery. Now the time might be different...I don't know about the time, but do know about the presets...Skip....

coopcj7 · 08-22-2008, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip

The radio presets will still be in memory even iffen you change the battery. Now the time might be different...I don't know about the time, but do know about the presets...Skip....

i figured with the computer being wiped clean wouldnt that erase the presets

cerberus · 08-22-2008, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coopcj7

i figured with the computer being wiped clean wouldnt that erase the presets

The radio presets would be stored in the radio unit and not impacted by rewriting the ECU which doesn't contain that info.

coopcj7 · 08-22-2008, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cerberus

The radio presets would be stored in the radio unit and not impacted by rewriting the ECU which doesn't contain that info.

that makes me feel better then maybe they actually did something

**SKY 07** · 08-23-2008, 09:43 AM

Wow and I thought I was the only one who writes a novel...

Hopefully no more issues. Have a GREAT WEEK-END and drive that baby.

T.

BTW It feels so good to vent.

SteveSky67 · 08-23-2008, 09:54 AM

So, far i have had no problems with my dealer...they have great to resolve my problems in a timley fashion...and besides, i don't take SH** from any dealer after my experience with Grand Dodge of Englewood..

compdoc777 · 08-23-2008, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coopcj7

I am out of the 3yr/36 month warranty all I have left if the powertrain warranty and the powertrian warranty doesnt cover accesory sensors and it was a sensor reading error as they did not replace the TPS sensor but I am shoping around for a new sensor as this is not the first time this has happened

All you needed to do was to get an OBDII scanner tool from AutoZone and which if the tow truck would have taken you there would be free.

Plug the OBDII in check and clear the codes.

The $70 you spend could have been better invested in a OBDII scanner. I suggest you get one.

I don't know if you have mods or BSR, but the PPC tuner will clear the codes as well. It is a handy tool to have in the car when situations like these arise.

I am ASE certified as well. I was talking to the dealer about changing the oil and they said doing so might cancel my warranty. I told him I am a ASE certified technician. He said you have to be Saturn tech. I asked him if he was ASE certified. He said uh no. I said that is right because they will only have one or two techs in a shop that are Master techs. I told him I could come over there and apply and be his boss. Saturn tech my gluteus maximus! I laughed and hung up.

When I need to go to the dealer for any other than body work I am embarrassed. When I take it to the dealer and they can’t figure it out and give up and then I fix it with a little more effort. I know am the man!

seal9 · 08-23-2008, 11:26 AM

I can not believe the dealership. I had the same thing happen to me a few week after I got the car there is a post on this forum about it....I called the dealer after I got home and a Saturn Reg Tech was sent. Came to find out the Throttle position sensor sent a bad signal (the TPS is in the Throttle Body and can't be replaced)...was told all I had to do was clear the code if it happen again the T/B would need replacing....no re-flash or any other item was needed...I have had the same think happen 3 or 4 time when I replace parts and forget to unhook the battery to clear the ECM so it restarts to learn the new parts.....seal9

coopcj7 · 08-23-2008, 11:35 AM

[quote=compdoc777;351739]All you needed to do was to get an OBDII scanner tool from AutoZone and which if the tow truck would have taken you there would be free.

Plug the OBDII in check and clear the codes.

The $70 you spend could have been better invested in a OBDII scanner. I suggest you get one.

QUOTE]
This is what happened the last time when i had the computer replaced

I have a scanner and these PCM failure codes would not clear. I read the codes erased them then the scanner would say no codes remain and when I would unplug it start the car back up turn it off then plug it back it and and then re read the codes again it would pop back up and the CEL would still be on. For some reason the computer codes for PCM failure will not erase no matter how many times I have tried it only goes away with the TECH II

08-22-2008, 07:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
coopcj7 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: My Very Own Trunk Monkey Posts: 910 My Photos: (0)	I hate saturn dealerships and my car at times This is long so bear with me Here we go. It is a novel If you want the qucik version scroll down to the devil smiley I was pulling out of walmart last night and I immediately knew something was wrong. I had almost no power and it started missing really bad. Then my dash light up like the 4th of july. On my DIC it read "ENGINE DISABLED" then all power was lost engine died radio died nothing was working except onstar. I called onstar after coming to a stop and I informed them what was going on and they told me a tow truck would be there in a couple hours. NICE I get to sit in the middle of the road unable to push my car to the side for 2 hours. Well I waited and hour or so and Itried to restart I had power to the headlights and dash now but still it would not crank and the words ENGINE DISABLED was starring at me. The tow truck finally showed up around 2am and I talked with him a while as he was loading the sky up. The closest dealer as 20 miles away but this was also one of the dealers that I have been kicked out of and told not to return. SO I got to pay for the tow after 20 miles to go to the next closest one. This morning I received a call from the service department asking what the issue was and that they were going to look into it and give me a call back with the results. Around 9am they call. Mr Cooper here is the problem your computer needs reflashed/ recalibrated due to a malfunction caused by a faulty sensor the TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) . Also Since it was a sensor that caused the Computer to need reflashed/calibrated it isnt covered under your warranty. But it is only $20. Ok I can handle $20 Also there is the $50 diagnostic fee. 70$ Still that isnt bad I can do that. Mr Cooper there is more. Your battery is dead. I spent about 30 minutes on hold with onstar last night and I didnt think that would do it but oh well. The dealer said that when they tried running all the diagnositics that the battery kept dying and that it would need to be replaced before they could re write the ECM. The dealer said $198 for the battery and 1.5 hours labor to install it. I told him he was crazy it should not take 1.5 hours to install this battery. He then proceeded to tell me that this was no ordinary install, I interupted by sayin let me guess you have 2 bolts that hold the upper fender on, 1 in the middle and one underneath, 4 bolts on the wheel liner and then 2 nuts on the battery terminals on and one olt that holds the battery in the tray. Dealer says well yes you seem to know that this is not a simple install. my replay was no THIS IS an easy install, SO HERE IS WHAT I WILL DO FOR YOU! I will buy a new battery bring it to you pull the fender off myself reinstall a new battery and put the fender back on. Quote me " I will put your mechanics to shame if they say it will take 1.5 hours, I will have it done in 20 minutes. They said ok bring it in you can change it. I show up with my tools my extra fender for reference and a new battery. They told me if I want to change the battery then I will have to take it off their premises to do IT, I would not be allowed to change it on their lot. I told them ok help me push it across a busy intersection and avoid getting hit so i can change it at the gas station next door then I will bring it back. The service manager then said oh you dont have to bring it back we decided to put a charger on the battery and jump it with a jump pack and then proceeded with the reflash. I was amazed, what happened to the car not starting or the battery not taking a charge and blah blah blah. So I dont need a battery? they said yeah if you leave the radio on too long then it will drain it. Well no sh!t sherlock of course that would happen. So Basically they would of charged me for a battery, diagnostic , reflash and other shop fees well into excess of $400 and all out of pocket. Instead I left with the orginal battery and only $70 of out pocket. I then took my car down to advanced auto to have the battery tested under a full load like it was starting a car, LOW AND BEHOLD THE BATTERY WAS FINE Battery Tested to have at least 496 CCA our battery is a 580 cca under a load on a battery that has close to 60,000 miles on it. Dealer tried to sell me a battery charge me for it charge labor fees plus the other BS they did, waste my time and money but I called them on it. So screw them I wonder if they even did anything to my car since all my presets on my radio were still there after a full drain on the battery and ECM being reflashed. or so they say. I am sorry for the long story but I feel better that I didnt get screwed. __________________ Chili Pepper Red #3060 3 Stainless Pedals 1 plastic foot rest Black Top/Leather Interior LSD 6 Disc Monsoon Flowmaster Dual Exhuast Redline Gauges Bullet Door Locks WERKS Stage II Turbo "FOUNDER OF CENTRAL OHIO CUSTOM KAPPAS"

08-22-2008, 07:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
BSRL Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 755 My Photos: (2)	Wow, that's a shame! What a run around. What did you do to get kicked out of the other dealer? (sorry I had to laugh when I got to that point in your story, no offense). __________________ My Car Domain Page: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3051777

08-22-2008, 07:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
SkyBaby First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Somewhere In The SKY! Posts: 7,549 My Photos: (13)	So.... was the ORIGINAL reason it "quit" ever found??? When you called me last night.. I was baffled... never had that code before... YIKES.... you know.. .I really DESPISE dealership service the majority of the time because.. no matter what , they want to RIP you off every chance they get... GREAT JOB..... on calling them out on the scam.... GOOD FOR YOU..... I hope it is resolved... SkyBaby __________________ Whats NOT to Love??? www.kappascoasttocoast.com www.kustomkaps.com http://www.myspace.com/skybabymissy

08-22-2008, 08:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
Celt03 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,574 My Photos: (6)	. . . must be related to the jack@$$ that owns a bunch of the dealerships around here. __________________ "Saffyre" 2008 Midnight Blue RL/Black/Black Leather / 5-spd w/Spoiler Magnaflow 3" Quad tip / Chrome Wheels / On Star / 6 CD XM Monsoon / Splash Guards / GT Antenna / WindRestrictor V2 www.imsaturn.com/profile/Celt

08-22-2008, 09:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
Natalie Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 60 My Photos: (0)	Oh Coop...that bites! I'm with you on hating the dealership. I don't understand why they don't comprehend REPEAT BUSINESS. If you treat people right, they come back AND they recommend their friends. __________________ 2008 Redline Black on Black 5 Speed Manual Mine ~ 09May08

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
Saturn Sky Forum Advertisement

08-22-2008, 09:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
cerberus Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,402 My Photos: (19)	Crazy. Only takes a couple of bad apples to ding the rep of so many good shops out there. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Pontiac builds excitement... Saturn has rethought it's image... The time has come for the enthusiasts... NASSOA Officially Recognized by GM More Info ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

08-22-2008, 11:04 PM	#10 (permalink)
Skip First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: deep in the land of cotton where good times there are not forgotten Posts: 4,736 My Photos: (0)	The radio presets will still be in memory even iffen you change the battery. Now the time might be different...I don't know about the time, but do know about the presets...Skip.... __________________ Resident Redneck of the forum and Birthday Greeter Keep on the sunny side of life It tant Christmas without Christ.

08-23-2008, 09:43 AM	#14 (permalink)
SKY 07 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lisbon, CT Posts: 1,527 My Photos: (2)	Wow and I thought I was the only one who writes a novel... Hopefully no more issues. Have a GREAT WEEK-END and drive that baby. T. BTW It feels so good to vent. __________________ 07 White/Delivered 6/28/06 Leather Seats Chrome Rims Monsoon 6 Disc Rear Spoiler Dual Exhaust/CAI Custom WindRestictor/Custom Pinstriping and who knows what else.... Life Is Good

08-23-2008, 11:26 AM	#17 (permalink)
seal9 First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ft. Walton Beach, Fl Posts: 749 My Photos: (0)	I can not believe the dealership. I had the same thing happen to me a few week after I got the car there is a post on this forum about it....I called the dealer after I got home and a Saturn Reg Tech was sent. Came to find out the Throttle position sensor sent a bad signal (the TPS is in the Throttle Body and can't be replaced)...was told all I had to do was clear the code if it happen again the T/B would need replacing....no re-flash or any other item was needed...I have had the same think happen 3 or 4 time when I replace parts and forget to unhook the battery to clear the ECM so it restarts to learn the new parts.....seal9 __________________ Chili Pepper Red leather/LSD, Wheels Focuz Long tubes/Free Flow Cat Thermal Research Dual Exhaust DDM Supercharger Stage II KONI Adj Shocks Stage III (P) DDM Brakes/Pro Beam PLX Wideband AFR /Boost DashDyno/Dashhawk

08-23-2008, 11:35 AM	#18 (permalink)
coopcj7 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: My Very Own Trunk Monkey Posts: 910 My Photos: (0)	[quote=compdoc777;351739]All you needed to do was to get an OBDII scanner tool from AutoZone and which if the tow truck would have taken you there would be free. Plug the OBDII in check and clear the codes. The $70 you spend could have been better invested in a OBDII scanner. I suggest you get one. QUOTE] This is what happened the last time when i had the computer replaced I have a scanner and these PCM failure codes would not clear. I read the codes erased them then the scanner would say no codes remain and when I would unplug it start the car back up turn it off then plug it back it and and then re read the codes again it would pop back up and the CEL would still be on. For some reason the computer codes for PCM failure will not erase no matter how many times I have tried it only goes away with the TECH II __________________ Chili Pepper Red #3060 3 Stainless Pedals 1 plastic foot rest Black Top/Leather Interior LSD 6 Disc Monsoon Flowmaster Dual Exhuast Redline Gauges Bullet Door Locks WERKS Stage II Turbo "FOUNDER OF CENTRAL OHIO CUSTOM KAPPAS"