1997 Sebring Convertible electrical
I am new - so still getting used to how things are organized on the forum - please feel free to direct me something previously posted!
Two weeks ago I took my 97 Sebring in for some routine maintenance recommended during my 'out of province inspection' about 2 months back - this maintenance was to include a transmission fluid flush, winter oil change/inspection and cooling system flush.
Several hours later, the service shop called and quoted me over $4,000 worth of repairs! This included: the above services PLUS a timing belt change (and oh, 'while we are in there, a water pump replacement'), spark plugs/engine tune-up (stating the 'engine looks like it has never been tuned' - I have owned the car for 2 years and it has about 130,000 kms on it and while we are in there, replace other misc. parts). Then, apparently the rad was leaking along the lower right hand corner...and let me see what else...oh yes, 3 of 4 transmission lines were said to be leaking.
Having paid only $7,000 CDN for this car, but also having recently (September 08) spent $1000 on a new exhaust system and brake lines before a move across the country, I asked them to prioritize the work which they said was radiator, replacement spark plugs and machining the rear brakes (which I had had done only just last spring). Oh well, winter driving. What could I say.
Long story...long, I guess - I 'escaped' with just of $1000 in repairs two weeks ago but now the speedometer indicator is not working (either reads '0' or goes up and down all over the place) and and tachometer and gas level indicator are also jumping around. Lights are going on and off on the instrument panel (gremlins?) - except for the check engine light which has happily been on and stayed on since I pulled it out of the shop parking lot (but it's been on and off before so I am neither surprised nor shocked about this). The transmission position indicator panel indicates that the car is in all the gears when driving or parked (all are selected) and when I first turn the car on the same display tells me: 'No Bus'.
Help - did the shop do something to cause these further woes? Did the shop really over go over the top with the recommended maintenance? Should I run as fast as I can away from this crazy, fun car? Anything really will help me at this point.
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01-02-2009, 03:24 PM
