Did I get hosed by the dealer?

highlandlake · 04-06-2006, 06:04 PM

Here's what happened...
I had one CEL code on my scan tool for low voltage to the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS). Took the car to the Chevy/Buick dealer expecting a quick and relatively lost cost repair. (I was really pressed for time and bad weather prevented me from doing it myself) Well they replaced the bad TPS, but then said that the MAF sensor went bad and set a code immediately after the TPS was installed. So they took it upon themselves to replace the MAF sensor, clear the code and prepare a $366 bill for me. The service writer said it was common for GM's TPS sensor to cause a MAF to go bad right afterward. He didn't sound too convincing to me. Did I get taken? Again, the car was running great and efficient up to that point. I'm thinking that the tech saw an opportunity to replace a perfectly good, easy to reach part since he was working two inches away from it anyway. And charge 3 hours labor plus parts total. Got a burning sensation in my backside. Know what I mean?? What are your thoughts?
Thanks, Tom

jeffcoslacker · 04-06-2006, 08:05 PM

Sounds like bullshit to me...I've never heard that. Can't even see any way that could happen.

richtazz · 04-06-2006, 10:46 PM

The TPS and MAF are totally unrelated. There is NO WAY a TPS failing could cause a MAF to go bad. The TPS's function is to tell the computer where your foot is on the accelerator. The MAF measures how much air is entering the engine by measuring the difference between reference voltage and return voltage through a coiled wire mounted in the incoming air stream. I would like to hear the explanation to their theory as to how this happens .

bleepster · 04-07-2006, 06:13 AM

if you take your car in for a specific repair and they notice or see something else wrong - by law - THEY CANNOT FIX IT UNLESS YOU AUTHORIZE IT.

sorry - you got hosed. shouldnt of paid it. but seeing how you did, you then agreed to the service, and now there isnt anything you can do.

jeffcoslacker · 04-07-2006, 06:35 AM

Sucks you didn't just put a TPS on yourself...I just had to do mine, it was a $35 part and took all of 5 minutes to do.

highlandlake · 04-07-2006, 09:03 AM

Thanks for the boost of confidence to go back to the dealer. I arrived at the dealer's service door at 7:00 this morning and said I wanted a better explanation of what happened. Without any real debate or bad words being spoken, they credited me all the labor and half the parts. Total bill was reduced to $167.37. I couldn't sleep much last night thinking about what they did. So this one has a decent ending. And a lesson learned.

jeffcoslacker · 04-07-2006, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highlandlake

Thanks for the boost of confidence to go back to the dealer. I arrived at the dealer's service door at 7:00 this morning and said I wanted a better explanation of what happened. Without any real debate or bad words being spoken, they credited me all the labor and half the parts. Total bill was reduced to $167.37. I couldn't sleep much last night thinking about what they did. So this one has a decent ending. And a lesson learned.

Good on ya'

I wonder what prompted them to do that in the first place.

My mom had an Olds Calais, the brake lights weren't working. She dropped it off at the dealer, got her work stuff out of the trunk, and walked to work.

When she came back to pick it up, she opened the trunk and it was half burned

Carpet and liners fried on the driver's side. The car reeked of burnt synthetics. They swore it was that way when they brought it in. And they didn't say a word about it on the repair order (you'd think they'd note something like that, to avoid liability)

Weird.

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