Something's fishy at the dealership

[highlandlake]

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

[maxwedge]

You had no maf codes?, you need an explanation as to exactly what happen to the maf,I would ask for your old one, reinstall and see what happens, right now while the issue is still warm, plus how do they justify doing addt'l work with no authorization. I assume this was your 97?

[highlandlake]

Yes this was the '97. NO maf codes when it was brought to the dealer's door. Only the one for TPS. So do you all think something stinks with their 'diagnosis'??

[HotZ28]

The parts below are for the 97 Buick LeSabre, and the list price that you would pay at the dealer for those parts. It is highly unlikely that the MAF sensor failed while at the dealer, unless it was damaged in some way by the service tech. First, I would not have paid for the part without giving prior approval, and second, I would not approve the work until they could show me that the original MAF sensor was defective! I hate to say it, but it sounds like you were “raped by an ape”!! You should at least go back to the dealer and give them one of these;

MAF sensor Part # ACDELCO Part # 2131625 replaces GM PART # 88961008
GM LIST: $209.42

THROT POSN SENSOR ACDELCO Part # 213916 {#24504798} GM LIST: $75.99

[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.

[maxwedge]

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.

Lesson learned by dealership, someone dropped the ball here at least they made it right. Good work being persistent, I was a Cadillac SM for 25 years, bodies would be flying around my shop if this happened, although there may be some explanation here it is hard to see.

[Alibi]

What do you wanna bet that someone got fired?

It looks like you may have gotten away with a lower bill then you would have had originally, especially since they axed the labor costs. I just find it odd that someone would install and charge you for a part that you didn't ask for and especially didn't need...

[highlandlake]

Alibi,
When I first dropped the car off I had given the advisor the OK to replace the TPS and one hour labor, not to exceed more than that. Then I gave them the phone # to reach me if they had any questions. There was no phone call, and they replaced the other sensor for questionable reason.
I can only wonder how many times a day this happens. Those service bays must bring in more money than selling the 250 new cars and trucks on the lot. The labor rate is $89 an hour - at the rate it's climbing they'll be paid more than lawyers soon.

[falc]

Good to hear you got some compensation. I thought that codes stayed in memory for 50 starts (once the problem is fixed) so if this is the case then the MAF code they saw would probably still be in your comp, then again I may be wrong and the codes may have been cleared.

Reminds me of when I was getting new front tires and discs at a shop, asked them for a quote to install sway bar end links, they quoted me 3 hours labour to install the links!! I laughed and said you are nuts, they called me back 5 minutes later and quoted me 20 bucks extra labour for the links (if you aren't familiar, these links take about 10 minutes with a torque wrench) and they already had the wheels off too!

A little common sense and you won't get taken.