2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 85$ Diagnostic charge from dealer

[Crowhurst]

The wires to my fuel pre-heater/pre-filter have burnt out with much smoke and smell. Cummins tell me they only supply the wires with the complete heater/filter, because that will be the source of the fault that caused the short circuit. I contacted my local Dodge dealer, whose service department agreed, after contacting Chrysler, that the work would be carried out under the Dodge 100,000 mile/ 5 year warranty. (Currently 90,000, and 5 years runs out January 13th 2003). The dealer says I will have to pay an $85 "diagnostic charge", although they haven't seen the vehicle, and Cummins told me what must be replaced. Which of us is on the wrong planet?? Do I just accept this?? Nick.

 

[WKener]

Sounds to me like you already have the problem diagnosed... I can't think of any reason why you would have to pay them $85 simply to perform warranty work... This may be standard procedure for warranty work such as this, but I still think they are trying to 'scam' you (aren't they always??)



Wes

 

[mbaston]

Don't Do It

I get ticked at dealerships for pulling this crap. Don't do it. If necessary, take the name of the service writer. Talk to the service manager. Tell him you refuse to pay for warranty work. If that doesn't work, call DC. Give them the name of the service writer and service manager.



Some states have a governmental branch that enforces legislation that restricts this. Find out if your state has such a office or legislation.



I have been told that I had to pay for work because they couldn't duplicate the problem nor fix it. They never did fix it. Now I read on this site that there was a service bulletin on the problem. At 117,000 miles, they laughed at me when I said they should cover it.



On one repair, I paid their repair fee because I needed my truck. I then wrote DC and they sent me a check.



Don't give up!!!

 

[BatMan01]

Crowhurst

Dealerships cover themselves up front by having you sign agreeing to pay this charge so that if they can not be duplicated the problem then they are not out the time and money. Just make sure that if the problem proves to be covered by warrenty then no charges will be assesed to you.

 

[BFC]

I needed the reflash for theTC going in and out of lockup. I walked in told them the # of TSB and what I wanted done. I get the bill, 65$ for the flash and 65$ for diagnostic I raised hell asking why I had to pay that fee when I told them EXACTLY what I needed done. Manager "waived" the fee to make me happy. I would raise some serious hell if I was you.



Glenn

 

[mbaston]

Covering themselves

Yes, but why do we have to cover them. If I have a problem with my truck, it is not my fault that they can't find the cause for duplicate the problem. In one of my cases, it is because they wouldn't check the service bulletins. Why should we be required to cover their losses. That is business.



If it is under warranty, there should be no charges.

 

[Fireman Dave]

Originally posted by BFC

I needed the reflash for theTC going in and out of lockup. I walked in told them the # of TSB and what I wanted done. I get the bill, 65$ for the flash and 65$ for diagnostic I raised hell asking why I had to pay that fee when I told them EXACTLY what I needed done. Manager "waived" the fee to make me happy. I would raise some serious hell if I was you.



Glenn

There's nothing like an angry Canuk :-laf

 

[BFC]

Make that a 6'7"/260 lbs angry Canuk and things seem to go your way sometimes!



#ad

 

[illflem]

Seems like a lot of folks have the misconception that because there is a TSB on something that the dealer has to fix it even if it isn't broken. All a TSB is is symptoms and repair methods for common problems, not an automatic warranty ticket. I can't blame the dealer at all for charging person who brings in his truck to have a TSB performed and they have to spend their time diagnosing that there is no problem. Crowhurst will probably get his $85 back if they do find a warranty problem.

 

[Dheadington]

$65 charge for reflash

If you have less than 80k miles on truck this is covered under federal emisions warranty. I just had mine completed for same reason and Dealer was great put in operation code in Chrysler computer came up as covered repair under warranty.

 

[cwcox]

Whoa on that diagnostic charge! If the repair is covered under any part of the warranty (3/36, powertrain, emissions, etc. ) the diagnostic charge is included in what Chrysler pays the dealer for the repair. In the warranty manual, there are labor operation numbers for diagnostic time to cover most repairs, if none apply, then there is no diagnostic time period. The dealer CANNOT charge diag time for a warrantable repair, per Chrysler rules and regs. I was a Chrysler master tech and service manager before starting my own business. The only time additional charges can be applied is for removal and/or installation of "customer installed" accessories such as radios, snow plows, and the like. Good luck on your repair and look up a Five Star dealer that specializes in trucks in your area.

 

[Crowhurst]

Well, today the diagnostics charge was $96 at the local 5 star Dodge dealer specializing in trucks, Keene Dodge of Jarretsville, MD. I was told that the relay was changed as well as the pre-heater, in case that was part of the problem, and that was the extra $11. I challenged the whole diagnostic charge at the dealer, as I had diagnosed it myself, and it was under warranty anyway, and was told that such charges were permitted by Chrysler "at the dealer's discretion. " I've complained to Dodge Customer Centre via e-mail from Dodge.com as it's after office hours. I'll let you all know what happens. Nick.

 

[Crowhurst]

Well, Chrysler contacted the dealer, who said that the diagnostic charge was for the relay! Now I see how the system works! I was told the $85 would be payable to diagnose the warranty heater fault, before the dealer had seen the vehicle. The relay was an afterthought, changed "just in case", but as it is "non-warranty", the diagnostic charge is transferred to the relay. That's smart. Chrysler (who were very prompt, polite and helpful) tell me my only redress is with the dealer, who was initially prepared to make the charge even on a warranty item! Chrysler confirmed that such charges could not be made on warranty items. So I'm screwed. I hope this practice doesn't become widespread. Nick.

 

[jmeehan]

Did you authorize the replacement of the relay? Seems to me if your truck is in for warranty work and they decide to do none-warranty work they should give you the choice, before just racking up a repair bill!

I would have told them to take the part back off my truck, thanks I'll replace it myself!

 

[1tuffram]

I'm kind of lost here or having a hard time following what just happened. Are you saying the dealer charged you $85 to diagnose something which should have been covered under warranty? Plus the stealer charged you an additional $11 for replacing a relay they really did not know if it needed to be replaced and is now saying the $85 diagnositc charge was to replace a relay that may or may not have been bad?? PLUS DC says nothing they can do about it, you are on your own cause they can not control what or how dealers charge?



Since when did warranty work start costing the customer?



Something sounds screwy or maybe I'm just not understanding what happened. Your original post said the problem would be covered under the 5/100 Cummins engine warranty, then somehow this $85 diagnostic charge came into the picture and now a $11 relay.

 

[tractorface]

Thanks for the post. I have used Keene Dodge on two occassions with good success (guess I was lucky). They have been trying to sell me a new truck. Think I'll stop in and "see em". Let em no I'm not interested if they do bussiness this way. Was going to have them do the Cold weather re flash but am inclined to pass now.

Good luck fighting them.

 

[Crowhurst]

Yes, 1tuffram has it exactly correct. I even had a spare 12v , 30 amp relay in the truck box in case the fuel relay went out. And, tractorface, Chrysler spoke to "Tony the service manager", this morning. Chrysler say, quite reasonably, that because Keene Dodge are charging me for a non-warranty item diagnosis (the relay), Chrysler is not involved. You can see this is smart. There was no evidence that the relay was in any way defective. This procedure could be used for all sorts of warranty claims. Fuel pump defective under warranty? $85 dollars please because we changed the fuel solenoid relay, "just in case". $85 will not bankrupt me, but I don't like being screwed. I was not asked to authorise the relay replacement. When I phoned at 4pm to see if the truck was ready, I was told it was being worked on, and that the relay was being changed as well, in case that was connected with the problem. No diagnosis, Just "in case". Nick

 

[SMorneau]

I was looking at a new truck and it wasn't a Dodge. I like the one I have and I plan on keeping it as long as possible but I won't buy another DC truck. This thread is documents the typical kind of crap they put you through because you were dumb enough to buy from them.



I have a friends with Fords and they are treated right by almost every dealer in the area. They deserve my business DC does not. I just bought a VW Jetta TDI and I understand the VW dealers reputation is even worse. If I find this is true it will be my last VW.

 

[1tuffram]

That's just jacked up!!! Sounds like some sort of tactic between DC and dealers to discourage warranty claims. I can see it now, when you go in for the infamous lift pump failure they will say "For a small nominal fee we can replace the lift pump under warranty"

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by SMorneau



I just bought a VW Jetta TDI and I understand the VW dealers reputation is even worse. If I find this is true it will be my last VW.

Buy a Lexus, they will do everything they can to make you happy. Of course you pay for the service in the long run. I don't think there is some big DC conspiracy to screw us. Some dealers are just better than others.