I've had it with my steal-ership...

[COP TZER]

well, i've finally given up on my local DC dealership, they've ticked me off for the last time. I went in today to get my PCM looked at and hopefully changed, due to the missfire issue above 5000 rpm. They took it in, and after 3hours, they give me the car back saying that there is no such misfire or PCM problem BECAUSE there is no codes and they can't feel it.
First of all, they never drove the damn car. Second, the misfire wouldn't send codes because it's the computer thats screwed up!! But of course i know nothing and am an inept moron who is just some punk 22 yearold who knows nothing about cars compared to the vast array of knowledge collected by the service advisor from years of sitting behind his desk and pushing around pencils!!! [xx(][xx(][xx(]

[Gear_Head]

COP TZR,
TSB# 18-029-03
Date: August 8, 2003

SUBJECT: Slight Engine Mis-Fire Above 5200 rpm

OVERVIEW: This bulletin involves replacing the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).

MODELS: 2003 (PT) Chrysler PT Cruiser

NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles built prior to January 22, 2003 (MDH0122xx) equipped with a 2.4L Turbo engine and manual transmission or prior to March 18, 2003 (MDH 0318xx) for vehicles equipped with a 2.4L Turbo engine and automatic transmission.

SYMPTOM/CONDITION: Vehicle operator may describe a random or slight engine mis-fire when operating vehicle above 5200 rpm. There will be no DTC logged in the PCM. If there are DTC’s present additional diagnosis should be done to determine the problem. This condition is caused by a internal hardware issue in the PCM.
Maybe this will help. Hope So !!!!![8D]
Alan

[DTs_PTGT]

I just ran into this same problem at my stealership today. They couldn't pull up the TSB. I had Grandgrandpa's service manager call them with the part #'s (which they originally asked for), then that wasn't enough. My service manager told me if I wanted anything done I had to do the legwork and get the TSB information to THEM!

To add insult to injury, they tried to blame the problem on the Mopar BOV. If I hadn't gotten the misfire problem documented when I brought it in for service back in May, they would've written off the problem on the addition of the BOV. I guess this worries me more than their general attitude towards solving my problem.

I finally called 800-992-1997 and talked to Barb, who could actually see the TSB in the system. Barb called up my service manager and faxed the TSB details to my stealership.

After all this, my stealer told me they needed to have the replacement approved by some rep. They will call me sometime tomorrow with the rep.'s decision. Right now I have a bad feeling about getting this replacement approved.

I'm hoping that I'll get a call telling me the new PCM is on order, but just in case that doesn't happen, can anyone tell me what my next steps are?

I'm disappointed that I can get more information on TSBs than my "5-star" dealer can. I guess the "5-star" is out of 10 stars total.

[COP TZER]

Thanks for the info Gear Head... I brought up the fact that i had a TSB number, but that did nothing. Remeber that i'm up here in the snowy north, so the memo might not have made it by dog-sled mail yet. I'm still sooooooo frustrated

[Punch]

copt tzer you in barrie also, was it centennial?

punch

[COP TZER]

I'm in Toronto....i've had no experience with centennial, are they brutal as well???

[Dalite]

I had a similar problem when I took my car in on Monday of this week. To their credit, the service department copied the TSB I produced to them. They had no record of it.

Their computer system is down, and the shop computer has been taken offline permanently.

They did a song and dance about having the main computer perform the functions that were once done with the shop diagnostic computer. Then they said they would have to log in the complaint, verify it and then adhere to the policy set by the TSB.

All the while that they are explaining this process, I am looking at a notice that basically says that all time spent by the service department to confirm the need for a warranty repair that doesn't produce a failure is to be paid by the customer.

They told me they couldn't look at my car until the computer was back up, and for me to try again next week. I plan on trying again next Monday.

In the meantime, I better get something in writing that officially explains the concept of intermittent, and that their antifreeze stock will freeze over before I pay shop time in finding a documented intermittent problem.

This is worse than divorce court.

I would never have guessed that a company would allow it's dealerships to take the kind of shortcuts that we have seen documented here to avoid having to perform warranty work that is mandated by a TSB.

They had claimed no knowledge of the previous TSB concerning a flash upgrade to avoid trouble codes produced in error, and to this day, deny it's existance.

Chrysler may consider a new ad campaign: If Drive=Love, then Service=Hate. The dealership loves you as long as you can drive your car. Bring it in for service and see how they like you...

The law of averages would suggest that sooner or later the dealership will do something correctly, the first time, without having to go over their heads. So far, the local dealership is batting 1000. The $71.00 oil change was apparently only the first step.

[don668]

Change dealerships. Any number of DC dealerships would be happy to service your car and keep you happy. Service is where they make a good part of their money. I went to a different dealership than the one I purchased my car through when my stutter started. (I was told by their department I was hitting the RPM limiter, no one would even look at it.) Took it to a different dealership, had a drive with the head of service, and he's been following up on the problem ever since. And when I gave him the TSB for the stutter, even though it wasn't in the canadian system yet, he called the States, verified the TSB and ordered the part through the US.(and one for another one of their customers)

Change dealerships, send a letter of complaint to DC. Maybe they will change their tune when they loose the 5 star rating. (and it happens)

Don

[DTs_PTGT]

My dealer called me back last night. They have ordered the new PCM and will notify me when it arrives.

While I certainly didn't enjoy having to "do the legwork" to get my dealer the TSB data, I'm happy they are fixing the problem.

Dalite,

I would call the 800 number in my previous post and get whomever you speak with to fax the info. to your dealer. That seems to have worked for me.

[Dalite]

quote:Originally posted by DTs_PTGT

Dalite,

I would call the 800 number in my previous post and get whomever you speak with to fax the info. to your dealer. That seems to have worked for me.

Thanks for the tip. I will give that a try.

I tried that number and selected option 2 for recall info. Got no help there, but was assigned a file number for future reference. I am in the process of following their recommendation to choose option 5; warranty information. The representative in the recall department didn't acknowledge the TSB as applying to my VIN Number.