Dealer and a bad lift pump

[MKenison]

Truck stopped in the driveway and I had it towed to the dealer under waranty with 70k miles on it. I told the guy the lift pump was bad and he wrote down $106 to diagnos it. I told him it was a warranty item, the service writer said he would look into it. He called me to tell me it was the lift pump but is was not covered under warranty. I told him he could replace the pump under warranty, that it was covered uncer warranty and he needs to figure it out. He said he would talk to his warranty specialist again. When I called back he told me it was covered and they would do the work.



I get the feeling, if I was not an informed owner, Thanks to TDR and all you members, that I would have paid $950 for the work. I am going to call the owner and explain, this service tactic. Ask the customer to pay and if they do great. If they are informed, do it write, under warranty.



Has this happened to anyone else? Do the Dealers have the right to ask for $106 to diagnos a warranty item?



When I picked it up, there was no charge for diagnosis, and no charge for the $100 deductible. I think her realized that I busted him and wanted me out of there without a fight.

 

[rbattelle]

More than likely, the service writer simply didn't know what he was doing. Maybe it was his first day.

I doubt it was a deliberate "tactic"... or am I too trusting?

It's been my experience that some service writers are - shall we say - uninformed.

Ryan

 

[Bob4x4]

The new trend is to have svc writers that are order takers only. Very little product knowledge. Dealer priciples and GMs take an attitude that anybody can do any jobs in svc so why pay a pro. As long as they can hoist their 5 star sign they are fat and happy... ... ... ... ..... also blind.



Bob

 

[DPKetchum]

Bob4x4 hit the nail on the head!

 

[nickleinonen]

I doubt it was a deliberate "tactic"... or am I too trusting?

too trusting perhaps...

 

[CMcDonald]

What did they do? Was the stock pump replaced or did you get the tank mounted one?

 

[WKruger]

Speaking of which, I had the shift solenoid replaced yesterday, along with diff. seals. He said the solenoid wasn't covered, and wouldn't say why. Am I another victim? Would have saved $300 on top of it.

 

[Bob4x4]

Speaking of which, I had the shift solenoid replaced yesterday, along with diff. seals. He said the solenoid wasn't covered, and wouldn't say why. Am I another victim? Would have saved $300 on top of it.

If you are asking on the truck in your sig,I can see why... ... ... ... . modified power and aftermarket trans :-laf

The o6's also only came with a 3/36 powertrain coverage.



Bob

 

[pwr2tow]

Never mind!!!

 

[MKenison]

What they replaced.

They put on a new, in the tank pump. The service guy mentioned that he was dealing with a warranty person. Makes it worse, in my opinion. That person should know warranties. Someone should know about the lift pump issue. I think it is hard to say that they all did not know. I will have a talk with the owner. Remind him that TDR is on top of all issues, which informs me by hitting the 'Search' button:-laf.



Thanks for your responses!



Mike

 

[DPKetchum]

I always gave a estimate in case it WASN"T a warranty issue. It might NOT have been a lift pump. If it WAS warranty then it was n/c to the owner. Once in a while you run into same issue on pretty new vehicles. Like Jeep Gran Cherokee towed in,check engine light on,codes etc. with a ate up trans wiring harness by their Jack Russell terrior. In fact the little bugger did it TWICE.

 

[RonVpr]

I had the same problem with my lift pump. They told me I had to pay for a diag. fee. but it would be waved if it was a warranty part. Look closely at your trucks manual. If you had it towed, you can get that reimbursed by sending the tow bill and reciept from the dealer to Chrysler. The address is in the warranty book. Also you don't have a deductable. They tried to stick me with a $100 deduct. charge. The write up guy said everyone pays it on warranty work. I showed him my service manual where it said there is NO DEDUCTABLE for covered engine work for 5 years or 100,000 miles. The service manager face turned red but he could do nothing about it. Just think, they would of all had a free lunch on me if I didn't show them that. I advise everyone to read the Ram Manual front to back. You can learn a lot.

 

[DPKetchum]

Usually the Dealer handles the tow bill by submiting it for the customer. They are not suppose to make YOU do the foot work or Chrysler. Reps get on their rear about that. Reps get a report of such from D. C. and are suppose to ask dealer why THEY didn't handle it at their end.

 

[RonVpr]

Your right. They should. But in my case the Chrysler help line did not answer the phone at their 1 800 number. It was 10:00 PM on a Friday. I was on my way to work and the truck stalled out in the middle of a deserted intersection. I called the local tow truck in my area. Chrysler said I had to send the bills to them for repayment. There was no one at the dealership when I had it towed there.