$180 for a new key!!! And other Chrysler rants...

[2007]

So I'm at the dealer for my 3rd oil change.

Me- How much is it for a new key for that car?

Him - It would be around $170 to $180.

Me - Is that programmed?

Him - Yes.

Me - How much for a key that's not programmed?

Him - Why? It does you no good. We have to program the key or your car won't start.

Me - I read in the owner's manual that I could program the key myself if I have 2 keys that work. (which I do).

Him - No, I don't think so.

Then he goes into the 4 digit code thing and says he needs to hook up the computer to the car and argues with me about it for a few minutes until I gave up.....



So now I'm just a little agrivated, so I call Chrysler customer service...

His only advice was to try another dealer to get a second opinion. I guess the fact that this dealer just lied to me and was trying to steal me money makes no difference?


I call the second dealer, and I can get a key for $140 there, or just the blank for $80.


So, the first dealer lied to me, then argued with me, which really makes me think they were trying to rip me off. The second dealer being $40 dollars less helps to confirm my suspicion of being ripped off.



Anyway, has anyone ever tried one of these blanks from ebay - and can a hardware store cut the key? Like the vibration won't hurt the key? eBay Motors: 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER SENTRY KEY (item 110296605684 end time Oct-12-08 13:54:49 PDT)





I've mentioned twice to them about a surging from the engine when accelerating form a stop. It's like it's missing out. First they say it's because it's a front wheel drive, then they say it must be my A/C compressor turning on when I have the defroster on. I explained to them that I could name every component of the A/C system and explain in detail what each does, and that the compressor is certainly not the problem, especially because I rarely use my defroster because I already knew the compressor turns on and takes away my MPG.

The front right wheel makes a squeeling noise when the outside temp is 90* or higher... still unfixed.

The front right window makes aweful noises when going up/down - I still haven't mentioned it.

The steering components "clunk" when entering parking lots and on rough roads. This car has only 8,886 smooth road highway miles on it. This problem has also not been mentioned to them.

Another problem I did mention to the dealer today is that the steering wheel shakes real bad @ 70 mph. He said my tires needed rotated. I asked what if it still vibrates? He says it could be a balance issue. I asked if I balance the tires, and it still does it, then what could it be? He says maybe a bent wheel or bad axle. I said the car has done it since it was new, and if neither the rotation or the balancing fixes the problem if I could expect a refund for the service. The answer was "no" of coarse. WHY SHOULD I PAY TO HELP DIAGNOSE THEIR PROBLEM!!!?

I'm tired of telling them things that are wrong for them to say it's something else without even looking at the car!

This is my first, and last, Chrysler vehicle.

[jkt]

Glad my 03 with 8k on it doesn't exhibit these issues

[BLUEH20]

What model year is your vehilce?
What is the inservice date?
What is the mileage?
Service contract in place?
The first four questions deal with warranty/non-waranty coverage.

Condition of tires-make and mileage and wear patterns?
Are you the first owner, thus having the complete history of the vehilce?
Has the vehilce rollling gear, including tire rotations been performed on the recommended schedule?
Are there any other historical issues with your vehilce that could have a bearing on this vibration issue? (eg. curb rash, pot holes in the driving area, minor/major accidents).

This will help us respond to your questions on the vibrations.

On the issue of key fobs---I would love to only pay $180 for a third key fob for my Volvo XC70. It was $380 tax not included. Was I "ripped off "? No, I wanted a third FOB and that was the going rate. I agreed to the purchase without being forced, other than my wife' cold, hard stare.

I wonder if the two dealerships involved in your purchase had the same labor rate? Did you compare the parts and labor cost breakdown? Depending on the location of the two dealerships, a $40 variance could be driven by geography and nothng more. Let know please.

[careyk]

I was lucky when my Mitsubishi Endeavor metal key broke out of its cheap plastic head containing the guts and also containing the lock/unlock/panic buttons.It was very expensive to replace....Luckily the nice service girl put my guts into a new shell and had the key cut for I think 40$...I have been very impressed by Mitsubishis service and you can't beat there warranty..its the best in the business.

[RatRodPT]

I just went through the same issue with the key as a used PT I bought this year came with only one key. Called three dealerships. One wanted $50 for a blank key and $150 for the programming of it. Thats $200 for a *#$!&* key! The second wanted $165 for key and programming. When asked neither dealership would program a key THEY did not supply. Finally I called a third local dealership. They would program a key bought elsewhere and the programming charge was $55. So I purchased a set of two blank transponder keys on ebay for $18 and took one to them to program, which they did in about 15 minutes. I programmed the third key on my own (very easy).

So the lesson here is that there is a wide range of pricing from dealerships who do the same thing. The other lesson is that now I will bring my PT to that third dealership whenever something is needed.

[2007]

Originally Posted by BLUEH20

What model year is your vehilce?
What is the inservice date?
What is the mileage?
Service contract in place?
The first four questions deal with warranty/non-waranty coverage.

Condition of tires-make and mileage and wear patterns?
Are you the first owner, thus having the complete history of the vehilce?
Has the vehilce rollling gear, including tire rotations been performed on the recommended schedule?
Are there any other historical issues with your vehilce that could have a bearing on this vibration issue? (eg. curb rash, pot holes in the driving area, minor/major accidents).

This will help us respond to your questions on the vibrations.

On the issue of key fobs---I would love to only pay $180 for a third key fob for my Volvo XC70. It was $380 tax not included. Was I "ripped off "? No, I wanted a third FOB and that was the going rate. I agreed to the purchase without being forced, other than my wife' cold, hard stare.

I wonder if the two dealerships involved in your purchase had the same labor rate? Did you compare the parts and labor cost breakdown? Depending on the location of the two dealerships, a $40 variance could be driven by geography and nothng more. Let know please.

It's a 2007 base model. I bought it 2-22-2008 with only 9 miles on it. It now has 8,886 miles. It has the stock GoodYear tires, and this is their first rotation. It was also vibrating at only 2,000 miles. I had the tires rotated today, but haven't left work yet to try it on the interstate. I've not hit anything to bend a wheel or cause other damage. I drive the same road eveyday, and it's mostly smooth. I know exactly where the rough spots are and I get in the other lane to avoid them.

The thing that bothers me about the key is that I was trying to exercise my option of buying just a blank and programming it myself, but the dealer kept telling me I couldn't program it myself. I guess that's what a 5 star service department is about. I'd really hate to see how a 2 or 3 star service department operates...


One dealer was 10 miles from home and the other 40 miles.



My 2000 Escort ZX2 has 120,000 miles on it and the only things replaced were the outter tie rod ends and the brakes once. It is on it's 3rd set of tires. Nothing else has been replaced. I drive my vehicles very easily hoping for many trouble free miles, but it isn't happening this time.








.

[2007]

Originally Posted by RatRodPT

So I purchased a set of two blank transponder keys on ebay for $18 and took one to them to program, which they did in about 15 minutes. I programmed the third key on my own (very easy).

Does the ebay key have the lock/unlock buttons on it?

I currently have 2 working keys, and my main reason for wanting another is to avoid the programming charge that you had to pay.



.

[RatRodPT]

If you're talking about an actual button thats on the key itself, then this must be something new with 2007 and newer. The older, 2001-2006 transponder keys have no buttons on them. With two working transponder keys its a very simple 2 minute process to program a third, fourth, etc key. Its possible Chrysler changed something starting in 07, to prevent self-programming. I'll see what I can find out about this issue.

[BLUEH20]

Okay--now we go to work--

Your information indicates that your warranties are intack.

A. Tire balancing is generally covered for 12 months or 12000 miles which ever occurs first. You should not have to pay for a spin balancing at the dealership. Net to verify the time/milage constraints with the repair facility.

Tires are not covered by Chrysler waranty--you received a tire warranty document in you packet--you may have a tire issue--take the vehilce to the appropriate tire company and discuss it with them.

B. Did the dealership open a repair order for the surging issue. If your concern is not corrected you may have an arbritation position. This requires 3 unsuccessful attemps at correction--does not have to be at the same facility. You need to have three documented efforts at a dealership for the same complaint. Arbritration is sometimes called lemon law--same out come. It could result in a buy back. The directions are in you owners packet you recieved at delivery.

C. The clunk entering/departing parking lots may infact be a normal thing. Does this occur when you go over a speed bump at a speed of, let' say 10->15 mph? Just something to consider.

D. The window just needs to be addressed. They can't fail to fix it unless you let them.

E. Squeal when turning--Is this a tire noise or running gear? Tire noise the outside timer in a turn rotates at a different rate than the tire on the side of the turn--this noise is generally heard in slow turn duiring parking lot manuvers. More info please.

F. The dealerhip must record your visists via a repair order in order for Chrysler to compensate them for their efforts and for Chrysler to be aware of your issues. These repair orders are necessary for the abritration process should these issues come to that. Of course you should also your visists that were not recorded by a repair order--who, what, when, where--get it on paper as memories differ from customer to service department.

G. If you feel that you have been blown off by the dealerhip--your next stop is Customer Assistance Center....1800-992-1997. This gets your concerns recorded, forwarded to the dealership--generally by placing you on hold and a call is made directly at that time. In any case you should request a CAIR Case Number for your records. This CAIR goes to the Zone Manager and requires a response from the offending dealership. Again maybe a phone call from the Zone DM to the Facility or it could require them to submit a written report.

In any case when dealing with CAC--keep it very cool--no venom--no threats--If they feel that you will not be satisified with anything they do--they have no incentive to do anything. These people will work for you if you let them.

Keep us informed and let's see if we can help you.

[2007]

Originally Posted by RatRodPT

If you're talking about an actual button thats on the key itself, then this must be something new with 2007 and newer. The older, 2001-2006 transponder keys have no buttons on them. With two working transponder keys its a very simple 2 minute process to program a third, fourth, etc key. Its possible Chrysler changed something starting in 07, to prevent self-programming. I'll see what I can find out about this issue.

Mine should be self-programming also. The procedure is clearly outlined in the owner's manual. I would expect my 5 star service department to know this too... instead of lying and arguing with me.

Here is a pic of my key (pic courtesy of Chrysler)