The Dealership Experience

[Joesfourdoor]

Back in April I picked up my 2005 Mazda 6s 5spd from a dealership near South Jersey/Philadelphia area, certified preowned the whole nine, got a good deal on it and all was good.

I've racked up quite a few miles on the car since I first picked it up and last week I got a check engine light right around 45K, right in time for the recommended service check up. I regularly maintained the car, took car of all the little details and keep it in tip top shape, so I wasn't too disconcerted about this light as it was most likely a small warranty item, hopefully.

I dropped the car off, picked up my loaner and was on my way. This morning they made the regular recommendations of getting new tires, I know mine are fine and other little nuiances like the cabin air filter which I already had done. After shooting them down for these services at the typical high price I inquired about the check engine light.

Turns out my Clutch Position Switch, which prevents the car from being started when the clutch is out, was cut out of my car?! They said that wires where cut along the steering column and a mysterious blue cable was coming through the fire wall. This was all news to me as I had never thought to look, why would I? No warning light or system malfunction was present. Now of course I'm able to deduce that a remote starter was probably installed/attempted to be installed in my car, but I was not the one who did this. Further I haven't done anything to my car save for a k&n drop in filter.

Naturally the dealer claims no warranty responsiblity, I can't prove it wasn't there from the get go and they can't prove I didn't remove it either etc etc and they have sent me to the Mazda customer help line. The situation is still in the air and needless to say i feel shafted. I never had this part, making me incapable of removing it. Why didn't the CEL fire sooner, I'll never know, this is a mystery to me. I plan on fighting it till the bitter end, keeping my composure the best I can, I'll let you know how it pans out.

So there you have it another dealer rant, so what does certified preowned mean really? Not much in my case, if anybody has any thing helpful to add please feel free ...

Thanks gang.

 

[3+5]

That sucks! Who'd have even looked for something like that? That's one that goes both ways, though.

This may not be effective since it is a used vehicle, but since it's certified, it should have been inspected. As such they should have found the odd wiring etc. If the car will start with the clutch pedal up, it would actually constitute an unsafe condition. I'd press for getting the wiring restored to factory and the switch installed. Should only be $500 or so. They'll probably absorb it to make you happy. Perhaps you could offer to split it with them if they give you a flat no-way.

 

[zoomzone]

That is an unfortunate situation. You'll have to know that even with the most thorough inspection, wiring up under the dash and on the steering column (note I haven't actually seen it, so I am guessing about some of this) would not have been seen by most any service tech.

If the car was used and out of warranty, then the dealer technically is not reponsible, car was sold "as is".

Here's where the dealer can excel, though. I doubt they intentionally sold you a faulty vehicle. Problems like these come up and happen to the best of them. What they can do is attempt to keep you happy by working out an equitable arrangement to get it fixed. Remember that they have to pay their tech to look at and fix your car. If they say you'll have to pick up the expense, see if they will share it with you since you bought the car from them. Also, whether it's true or not, tell them you like Mazdas and would probably buy another one. They always want repeat business.

If they give you the shaft. Tell 'em forget it, go to an independent imort or Mazda specialist, and tell everyone you know to avoid that dealer.

If they are reputable, you'll get a fair resolution.

remember, you catch more flies with honey than vinegar

 

[Joesfourdoor]

Appreciate the responses guys, here's a little bit of an update on what transpired last night. I had to go back down to the dealership to pick up my car and drop off their loaner. Prior to my arrival and loosening up some I had a discourse with the dealer to see if we could work out and alterantive solution but despite my composure and tact they wouldn't budge, nothing coming. My appeals to the high powers through Mazda's service line was pointless as well, apparently the district managers hear what the dealership has to say and goes from there, they don't talk to the customers. I wasn't getting anywhere ...

I arrive at the dealership pay off the tab for my 45K service and ask if one of the technicians can show me where this is going on and give me a scope of the problem. The tech comes out and explains exactly whats happening, shows me the cut wires, somebody had gone ginsu but for the most part if looked like a simple patch up.

The tech confirms this, he explains that no box is missing at all, the switchs are still there but the relay wires are cut and spliced into each other telling the ignition system that the clutch is always in. He takes about five minutes to show me what needs to be done, four wires need to be reconnected, simple enough. I complete the job myself back at my house with about six inches of wire and thirty minutes of time spent contourted under my steering we are all patched up. My 6 only starts when the clutch is in but more importantly no check engine light for now, I'm going to monitor it.

I feel shafted, but I understand it could go either way, with no check engine light who would have thought, it happens I suppose. I don't i'll be going back to the dealer, I feel a little disillusioned but I don't feel the need to slam them online either, the circumstance are too vague, my word vs. theirs type of situation.

 

[zoomzone]

For something so easy, they should have just fixed it and relied on the fact that you'd be a future customer. Their loss. I am sure you'll buy your next car somewhere else.

Good to hear it was an easy fix, though.

Remote start on a 5 speed....that's a terrible idea!