The service engine soon light of my car was on, then I took it to an auto repair they said it would cost 85 dollars to make the diagnosis(about 1 hour labor). But after 1 hour they said there were 2 error codes and they could only identify one of them, for the other code the problem was rather complicated and rare and they needed to tear down the engine to figure out what the problem was and it still needed 2 more hours, the total cost for making the diagnosis of the service engine soon light was 260 bucks. Is it normal for them to do so? could it be possible that they made simple problems sound serious to collect more money? How can I tell if they are doing the right thing?
2007-10-05 18:29:12 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Yes, to a point.
First off, There is a huge differance between a Code Read and a True Diagnosis.
A Code Read is what Autozone offers, it is simply connecting to the computer to see what the computer says is wrong. They say replacing the components that the computer suggests. You do, but it does not fix the problem. REMEMBER, they are in the business to sell stuff not fix stuff.
A True Diagnosis is what real shops do, it is a process of elimination by testing and isolation. The computer codes point in a direction to start diagnosing. By start where the code points to, the tech see if it is truely the component or something interacting with it that is the problem. REMEMBER, a shop relies on repeat business to servive, not just sales.
If you are having a heartattack, do you go to the drug store or the hospital?
With that said, some problems are easier to diagnose than others.
Interminttant problems are even harder to find out. Some do require a partial teardown to find, but is rare.
Example:
Code P0401 = EGR insufficant Flow
AZ says replace EGR valve which does not fix it.
Shop cleans EGR port in the intake that is clogged. this requires partial teardown of intake to get to the port. Diagnosis is easy due to repeated occurance in that model car.
If a shop is having a hard time diagnosing your car, They should be upfront about it and say that if you want it fixed, you will have to approve the time on a hourly bases. This is a standard practice due to the shop needing to make money, not just fix your car. This also tells the service advisor, manager and owner that you are willing to spend the money needed to fix the problem correctly.Also, it tell them that you will be a repeat customer if the problem is fixed correctly.
You can tell if they are BSing you by the way they explain the problem. A good shop will try to teach you how the component should work and how they have diagnosed it. Not just say this is what it is going to take to fix it. I teach the customers because if they have questions, my answers to them are in a plain way that they have a basic understanding and are following my line of training. An honest and reliable shop will do this and may also give you a discount to retain your business.
I can't say if that shop was just trying to get your money, because I don't know your car and the problems it was having. I can say that if after the diagnosis and repair, you are or are not happy with the results, that will tell you if they were looking for money or a customer.
If you want to Email me with your cars info, codes and what the shop did. I can tell you if they BSed you.
chessclassbtech@yahoo.com
2007-10-05 19:50:34 · answer #1 · answered by Gary G 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If they found 2 codes but could only identify one of them, you definetly took your car to the wrong place. AND, if they didn't know what the second code was, why the **** would they want to tear the engine down ?....were they going to find the magical answer hiding inside the engine somewhere ? You definetly are being ripped off.
2007-10-05 23:21:29 · answer #2 · answered by Yeti 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it makes you sense from now on effective, the top type they charged you is probable closer to 60%. maximum vehicle fix shops purchase their areas from the business/contractor branch of the areas keep, meaning that they probable have been given the areas for 10-20% under the charges NAPA quoted you.
2016-10-21 05:02:27 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
autozone will tell you why ur engine light is on for free. id never take my car to a place like that. honestly to me, if you can afford it, take big things to your car dealer. other places will mess it up. oil change and all that, go wherever u trust, but not for engine components. in my opinion.
2007-10-05 18:56:36 · answer #4 · answered by dabo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, the funny thing is, if they can pull the number of the code, then they can go to a book and look it up. ive got a list of the codes (# and meaning) listed on my computer, i go back to it ocassionaly in here
2007-10-06 00:06:58 · answer #5 · answered by mdk68gto, ase certified m tech 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call fox 2 problem solvers.
2007-10-05 18:39:11 · answer #6 · answered by big tyma 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is a ripoff
if you wouldve went autozone you cud have gotten the pcm checked over there for free
thats what they do in my area
2007-10-05 18:32:50 · answer #7 · answered by Dying Fetus 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋