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 Extended Warranty Doesn't Cover Diagnostics?
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| Author | Topic: Extended Warranty Doesn't Cover Diagnostics? |
Bob Miller                POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Alexandria, Virginia, United States |
posted 05-05-2004 02:46 PM
    
The "check engine" line came on in my Kat, so I took it Heritage Chrysler in Alexandria, VA to check it out. They ran a diagnostic test which indicated there was some sort of fuel vapor leak. The technician tightened everything in the fuel line and took the car out for a test and the light went off. So the dealership said that since "no maintenance" was performed, I had to pay for the diagnostic test at $82.50! I have the max extended warranty. The dealership said the maintaince contract only covered diagnostic testing if "maintenance" is actually performed! Then I questioned why tightening up the fuel line was not considered "maintenance?" The maintenance supervisor said DC does not consider that maintenance. This is the last time my Kat goes to that dealership for anything! Anyone else have this experience? Maybe the extended warranty isn't worth the paper it's printed on... |
Black Tie 161   POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:MD, USA |
posted 05-05-2004 02:57 PM
You can check your own diagnostic codes and cross check the results in your shop manual! check my old thread! http://www.prowleronline.com/ubb/Forum9/HTML/000975.html |
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DUSTI unregistered Admin Use |
posted 05-05-2004 03:00 PM
Bob, my warranty expired this February and I chose NOT to get the extended warranty, however just yesterday I went to the dealership since my 'oil pressure gauge' was going crazy and went all the way down to Low and after a while settled back at in the middle. I asked the Service manager to perform a diagnostic to see if there is anything wrong since we plan to drive to Pigeon Forge tomorrow. YOUR dealership should have been / could have been a little more customer oriented since all they did was tightening the fuel line ?! |
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Bob Miller POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Alexandria, Virginia, United States |
posted 05-05-2004 03:00 PM
On your advice and that of GRROWL, I did order a Service Manual from DC. Will check my own codes from now on. Thanks for the info, it's really good to know!  |
GRROWL POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Herndon, VA |
posted 05-05-2004 03:56 PM
quote: My reading of MY Max Care Warranty would lead me to believe YOU ARE COVERED. The dealer is referring to the paragraph that includes, "DIAGNOSTIC CHARGES: . . . . If the repair is not covered by the Plan, you will be responsible for . . . . diagnostic charges." So, the question is, should the repair be covered (obviously, there was a repair since they tightened everything and the problem went away). "COVERAGE UNDER THE PLAN: WHAT IS COVERED? The plan will pay the total cost (parts and labor) . . . . caused by a defect in materials or workmanship of a covered component . . . . The only exceptions are those listed under "What is not covered by the Plan". So, forget the listing of what's included, let's just look at "What is not covered". It ain't there. The closest thing that I see is "Maintenance services - engine oil, lubricant, coolant, fluids, filters, battery and cables, spark plugs and wires, belts, lights, engine tuneup, suspension alignment, wheel balancing, wiper blades, exhaust systems, heat shields and exhaust hangers; throttle body cleaning." You obviously had a "failed component" (fuel line) due to a lack of workmanship (loose clamp). I suggest you take your warranty to the dealer and ask him to point out where in the "excluded" section that he finds fuel system and lines. BTW, in the "What is covered" section (even though it has no direct bearing since everything is covered unless it is specifically excluded, as above), it lists, as covered components, under "ENGINE COOLING AND FUEL: . . . . Fuel Tank and Lines". I'd be interested in the dealer reaction when he can't find anywhere in your contract that the fuel lines are excluded. -GRROWL P.S. - As a wiseguy, you can also say that since the repair was covered (no charge for the fix) that the diagnostics were, of course, included - under the warrantee, the only way you owe for the diagnostics is if you owe for the repair. |
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obi-wan Prowler Junkie From:Los Altos, CA, USA |
posted 05-05-2004 04:07 PM
I recommend that anyone doing any of their own work-even if only trying to SEE the trouble and maybe tuning it over to someone else to do the work get an OBTII scanner. Many auto parts stores carry these. They plug into the service port under the dash. Almost anyone can learn to use them easily. They can really help on any modern car. At the very least you should become a more savie owner, even if you don't do the repair. With a little patience and understanding you can learn to do simple things and then work your way up the ladder as time goes by. Great luck with it. Obi-Wan |
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GRROWL POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Herndon, VA |
posted 05-05-2004 04:10 PM
quote: I'll help Joe out here: "You can obtain Diagnostic Trouble Codes by cycling the ignition key to "ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON within five seconds. The odometer should show the P-Code for the DTC number.....If no DTC codes are present, the cluster will display P1684 or DONE or both." |
CJ  POA Lifetime Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:Rochester Hills, MI USA |
posted 05-05-2004 10:16 PM
Dusti.........sounds like you have a great dealer!!  |
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DUSTI unregistered Personal ScrapBook Admin Use |
posted 05-06-2004 06:07 AM
CJ - let's just say it's a rural, country dealer handling Pick-up trucks 90 % of the time maybe some PT's in between or the occasional 300M - guess now it explains itself ?! |
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Black Tie 161 POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:MD, USA |
posted 05-06-2004 06:45 AM
Thanks GRROWL....basically, if you have a Prowler shop manual, you don't need a code scanner. The code shows by cycling the key as described above, and the manual has a reference chart for the codes. Remember, as my service manager told me...a Diagnostic code will only point you in a general direction in which there could be dozens of possibilities for the trouble you are having. |
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Bob Miller POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Alexandria, Virginia, United States |
posted 05-18-2004 02:42 PM
Well, to wrap things up on this issue, I called DC in Michigan and spoke to an Extended Warranty Customer Service Representative. I explained how the local Chrysler dealership tightened all of the connections on the fuel line and the gas cap after having my Kat on the diagnostic machine. The reply I got was that extended warranties DO NOT cover adjustments, and since no parts were replaced, this job was considered "an adjustment." So, if you think your Kat ever needs an adjustment, do it yourself because DC won't cover it.  |
MDProwler POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Fallston,MD USA |
posted 05-18-2004 04:43 PM
Bob, I hope you don't have any more problems but I'm usually not satisfied that atightening of something (other then a rattle)is a good fix. If it does come back you should have them by the b*lls. Heritage = big company = arrogance ------------------ |
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Black Tie 161 POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:MD, USA |
posted 05-19-2004 07:14 AM
As the car's warranties fade out, it will become more and more clear to people, that it soon becomes time to treat the car like a hot rod and start busting your own knuckles...Most dealers will look at the car like it came from another planet, and just try stuff and charge you for it. I'm doing more and more myself as I realize I'll take better care of the car than anyone else would. I have the extended warranty, but that's only good if the engine blows up or the tranny falls out while driving.... |
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GRROWL POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Herndon, VA |
posted 05-19-2004 03:27 PM
quote: Don't be so sure. If the engine "blows up" because of a loose hoseclamp, "or the tranny falls out" because of a loose bolt, YOU'RE NOT COVERED! You obviously failed to make the required "adjustments" and, as such, it's not covered. This is a simple extension of the logic that Chrysler is using to avoid Bob's claim. -GRROWL |
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Bcoffman Gray Ghost Prowler Junkie From:Marshall,Mo.65340 |
posted 05-19-2004 04:52 PM
quote: Don't be so sure. If the engine "blows up" because of a loose hoseclamp, "or the tranny falls out" because of a loose bolt, YOU'RE NOT COVERED! You obviously failed to make the required "adjustments" and, as such, it's not covered. This is a simple extension of the logic that Chrysler is using to avoid Bob's claim. -GRROWL [/B][/QUOTE] Just goes to show what an extended warrantee is really worth. For every person that it pays for, more lose. The companies don't sell extended warrantees to help the customer. They are in business to make money. They do this by taking in more money than they pay out. I'll play the odds that are in MY favor. No extended warrantees. |
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DUSTI unregistered Admin Use |
posted 05-19-2004 05:43 PM
Extended warranty = a waste of money !  Like Grrowl pointed out - you don't tighten the clamp, you're screwed ! They'll find a way to weasel out and make YOU pay ! Save the money and get more mods (that's what I did !) |
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Silver Cat 01 Prowler Enthusiast From:Pittsburgh, PA |
posted 05-19-2004 06:31 PM
My max care extended warranty on my Prowler has already more than paid for itself. I guess it depends on the service director, but I have had no trouble having some big repairs made under the extended warranty (new engine, computer, wheels, transmission, etc). Cost me around $1400 or so for the warranty and about $150 in deductibles but has saved me thousands of dollars. I never buy extended warranties, but with the Prowler, I felt it was a no-brainer. ------------------ |
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GRROWL POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Herndon, VA |
posted 05-19-2004 08:25 PM
quote: Sounds like you have a good dealer that you should thank profusely since wheels are EXPLICITLY EXCLUDED under the MaxCare warrantee. -GRROWL |
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Black Tie 161 POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:MD, USA |
posted 05-20-2004 07:09 AM
It all depends on who is in your corner fighting for you. Start putting your service manager on your Christams gift list....Think I'm kidding? |
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DUSTI unregistered Admin Use |
posted 05-20-2004 08:52 AM
Christmas gift list ??? How 'bout blackmail ??? |
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Black Tie 161 POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:MD, USA |
posted 05-20-2004 08:54 AM
quote: You always catch more flies with honey than vinegar. |
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GRROWL POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Herndon, VA |
posted 05-20-2004 03:35 PM
quote: I use rubberbands. -GRROWL |
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