Another fun trip to the dealer

[unwrittenLaw]

I went to the dealer to have the CEL checked out. Its been coming on and off for the last week. The only mod I have on my car is the Blitz Dual Turbo Time/Boost Gauge, and removed weatherstripping. These two things wouldn't really cause a CEL wouldn't you think? Well, not with my dealer. First, before the tech even gets to look at it, the service manager asks if I "still have that timer thing"..I said yes. He said that could send false signals to the computer, blah blah blah. I said, "well I have it for over 5 months now and no problems with it. He said he was just speculating. Anyways, the tech checks it out for about 45 min. Meanwhile I tell the service manager that there is a little coolant dried up on the rad piping since I forgot to tell him about that earlier..not sure if thats a big issue yet. But back to the CEL....finally after about an hour, the service manager calls me in and gives me the evil eye and the first thing is says is, "have you modified your car?" I said, "I tried a K&N filter, but it wasnt that great so I put the stock box back on, and the plastic calloway snorkel broke off." Now he thinks I'm the anti-christ....Then he says, "what happened to the stripping near the hood" I told him I took it off because the engine gets extremely hot. He said, "put it back on....leave the car completely stock..." By this point, I feel like I'm on trial for murder or something, honestly. I said, ok, I'll put it back on. Then he said the tech couldnt figure out what the CEL is and that I'll need to drop it off overnight, so they can test it cold....I dont even think he offered to get me a rental....So I'm debating if I should even go back to that dealer after all this crap but since its the only one around, (next one is 2hrs away)..I'm not sure. The CEL is off, but it might come back on...it could just be an O2 sensor, or maybe my fuel was topped off or something..who knows...BUT, the dealer seems to think its always my damn fault. They use my turbo timer for everything, and now removing the weatherstriping is the ultimate sin...

Sorry for the rant, but I'm just sick of this bull s***..I've hardly done anything to my car and I'm always cool with them and try to give them the benefit of the doubt, but I always end up getting the short end of the stick. I'm afraid of leaving with them overnight, because who knows what other crap theories they could come up with..maybe they say that radar detector caused the CEL.....

 

[yashooa]

They suck!

Dealer Techs=Inbreed

 

[unwrittenLaw]

I'm not an expert but I dont see how they could b**** at me about the weatherstriping, the engine get so damn hot and its gotta help with the temps...I dunno, I'm just frustrated..

 

[jonnydoe48]

you need to take charge man. tell them "this discussion is not about the weatherstripping. i am here for the check engine light. if your piece of s*** thinks a check engine light can be caused by weatherstripping then you need to be fired and working at togo's"

or to that effect.

 

[unwrittenLaw]

I really have been nice everytime I go and let them give me the shaft, but its hard to take charge when its all them vs you.

 

[unwrittenLaw]

^
What a bad 1K post that was....

 

[ZoomingMSP]

dont feel so bad. the service manager where i got my msp told me that replacing my exaust would be in violation of my warranty. I told him that exaust is a replacable item but he said not if i wanted to keep my warranty. I think the dealerships are full of shizzit. If mazda didnt want us tinkering with the car they should not of made it. we are generation x arent we?

 

[unwrittenLaw]

I used to not feel so bad, but its just getting really old now...

 

[OrangeAppeal]

the service manager asks if I "still have that timer thing"..I said yes. He said that could send false signals to the computer, blah blah blah.

Utter bulls***. Next time he says that, ask him how the "timer thing" is hooked up...and exactly what wires could be causing the "false signals"? Cause the only wires that are hooked up are:
Power
Ground
Accessory

None of those send a signal, they only supply power. The only thing the timer does is bypass the ignition key sense switch and that lets the car run until the timer shuts off. It does not send signals anywhere. If they are saying that the timer thing could cause the CEL, then they better check out the stereo too, cause the folding face may send false signals to the computer
and you know what that would mean (blowup)

And the s*** about the weatherstripping....ask him how that could adversely affect anything (besides engine cleanliness). Water??? well what do you think happens when it rains and you go through a puddle....there is a magic shield that is under the car that prevents water from splashing in the engine bay?:bs:

Your situation sucks, cause the next nearest dealership is 2 hours away....soo, you may just have to deal with it. One other option is to talk directly to the Dealership Manager...let him know whats going on and be straight with him. Tell him exactly what you have done and make him understand what these things do or don't do.

At any point - good luck.
Peace,
Jesse

 

[unwrittenLaw]

Thanks for the advice guys...I appreciate it...

 

[1sty]

Tell them you want the PCM code that was thrown, To throw a lite there has to be a code, tey might not know the casue but they damn sure know why it was on, next time take it to autozone and get it read first.
If you want it off leave the weather stripping off and be firm that there is no reason for them to tell you not to and if they keep it up you can have this discussion infront of the dealers manager on dutie. Sales managers damn near always out rank service managers. I would go as far as getting your salesmen invovled if he's there.You don't have to be a dick but don't be afraid to be firm with them.

 

[unwrittenLaw]

Yeah, I've never gone past the service manager. I'm cool with my sales guy and others and I talk with the tech once in awhile and he seems all right, but as soon as things hit the service managers, thats when things go down hill...

 

[SuperSpud]

make sure to remind him that its YOUR car, not his..

 

[ZoomingMSP]

HELL YEA AND IF THAT DONT WORK CHOKE THE SERVICE MANAGER UNTIL HE SEES THING YOUR WAY.. HAHAHAHA

 

[unwrittenLaw]

I dont ask for much, I just want them to stop playing these games...

 

[1sty]

Dude your in So cal just bring the rest of the bunch with you. You have 300 other members donw there.

 

[unwrittenLaw]

Yeah, but theres not that many around where I live (Santa Barbara county)...but that would be cool to have a few people show up to the dealer w/ me and tell them how full of crap they are...

 

[1sty]

Hit up the regional sections and see if anyone is donw for a ride.

 

[unwrittenLaw]

Anyone wanna go to the dealer with me?..I'll buy you a 12 pack of whatever you like...

 

[soundbombing]

hey, i'll go to the dealer with you. my friend just moved up to sb with his girl who is going to ucsb. what a loser sd is much better but yeah, i'm going to visit him probably soon so if i do head up i'll let you know.

it will also probably be easier like someone posted to go to autozone and get the code checked first. you shouldn't have to do that s*** but it's way better to go back to the assholes at the dealer with ammo. if you know what's wrong you can shove it in their face and tell them to turbo timer their ass so they won't have a cow.

i went to the dealer here for an oil change and they didn't say anything to me. they probably took note of all the stuff I had but didn't say a damn thing.

good luck. later