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Can dealer fix van for faults?


CityBoy6665
12-08-2006, 08:29 AM
My question is one from frustration.
3 times I have gotten my van back from dealer and 3 times there was something new wrong with it. Can a dealer some how make these problems so I have to come back and spend mmore money.
Here are my problems.
1.) Got van back and Service engine light was on. Went back and they said it was the O2 sensor. Reset system and no problems with O2 sensor readings and no engine problems.
2.) Got van back and power door/locks did not work. They had to replace some fuse in the dash.
3.) Just had them do intake gasket and when I left the service engine light was on. They said oh yeah we forgot to tell you your CamShaft position sensor is bad. Wanted $190 to fix. I'll do it myself. Problem #2 fuel pump very very noisy now. Replaced it about 2 years ago and was not making any noise when I dropped it off. #3 Went in to fix wobble in fron end. They said they could not feel it or find it. You'd have to be stoned to not feel it. I have been to 2 dealers and I have fixed everything they suggested that would fix wobble. No luck. I have replaced in the past 2 years both side of front end-struts, strut plates, driver side axle (3 times) rotors, pads, tie rod outter ends, both hub assemblies, new tires (twice). Still can not locate wobble. Feels like tires or jumping up and down like I have bad struts (installed new ones.) Steering wheel shakes a little and you can feel it in your feet on both side of van in front.

Any ideas?

Thanks

twistedtech
12-08-2006, 06:07 PM
The world of being a mechanic is a wild place to be,i am 1 so i know.I don't want this reply to taken as a flame,bash,insult or demeaning in any way at all.A couple of things come to mind right away,1, expierience IS the best teacher,look around the service bays, if they are looking a little on the young side your prob getting a tech with lots of book smarts but maybe not a whole lot of real world stuff.I am amazed at what little it takes to get your ticket in todays world.The second is that the factory boys work flat rate,and let me tell you,the diagnostic time to find a hard or odd issue is usually eatin by the tech.He is not going to spend a whole lot of his time trying to find your problem,in most cases.I don't think that anyone is going to make new problems for to come back with another time,but,if something was diaged wrong,they may change something and not tell you.As I said at the top,this is not a bash against anyone.It's just the way it is.With that said it's not like that in all shops.Just some,but it comes back to you never hear the good only the bad.Myself,I would be looking for a damn good shop that is not a dealer.Why peeps insist on the dealer is beyond me,but hey,most things are beyond me.

'97ventureowner
12-09-2006, 01:11 AM
Especially if your vehicle is out of warranty, I'd find a good indepedant repair shop and frequent them. Ask relatives, friends , neighbors, and co-workers for references on who services their vehicles. Check them out and go with one you feel comfortable with. I've worked for independant shops where many customers have been bringing their vehicles for many years, some even decades. Once a good relationship occurs between the customer, and staff, they get to know their customer's vehicles and can alert them to potential problems and make the proper recommendations for repair(s).

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