Ethanol anyone??

[Nut]

You might be able to check the problem codes yourself. You should check some Explorer web sites/forums. I know with my Dodge truck I can, just by turning the key on and off a certain number of times. I can also clear all the codes (check engine light).

[Miriam C.]

In October I drove a brand new Chrysler 300 to Minnesota from Virginia. It had 135 miles on it when I left. It was of course at highway speeds. When I get to driving around St. Paul the car starts to stall, check engine light on, and do other weird things. I took it to the dealer there and they said the Computer had lost it's program so they re-programmed it. Next day the car still stalls -- back to the dealership....they tell me that I must have put E85 in the car and they would need to put additives in etc, etc and charge me $150 since that was not covered by warranty.....now I'm a pretty car savvy guy and there was no way that I would pump gas from a clearly marked different color almost neon lights pump marked E85...Anyway they tell me it's there and so I have to assume that the gas station must have put the wrong fuel in their tank.....however my son filled up at the same pump and was having no trouble. The dealer told me the car was probably going to stall out a couple more times until the E85 had cleared the system...it did stall out ......all the way back to Virginia and after a week at the dealership in Virginia.....and consultations with the manufacturer the problem was diagnosed as a "Crank shaft sensor" which was then replaced....computer reprogrammed and now ......what a difference.....SO it was nothing to do with E85 just some BS from a dealership that wanted to make some money. Just needed to vent that.....I want to write to that dealer and ask for my $150 back but my wife says not to...not worth the hassle ......just let it go! .........?
Philip

Loosely quoted "the only thing needed for crooks to thrive is for knowing people to do nothing."

You really should make a formal complaint to who ever regulates auto repair in your state. Then you need to take all measures to get your money back and include gas for the running back and forth. JMO.

[Creamcracker]

In October I drove a brand new Chrysler 300 to Minnesota from Virginia. It had 135 miles on it when I left. It was of course at highway speeds. When I get to driving around St. Paul the car starts to stall, check engine light on, and do other weird things. I took it to the dealer there and they said the Computer had lost it's program so they re-programmed it. Next day the car still stalls -- back to the dealership....they tell me that I must have put E85 in the car and they would need to put additives in etc, etc and charge me $150 since that was not covered by warranty.....now I'm a pretty car savvy guy and there was no way that I would pump gas from a clearly marked different color almost neon lights pump marked E85...Anyway they tell me it's there and so I have to assume that the gas station must have put the wrong fuel in their tank.....however my son filled up at the same pump and was having no trouble. The dealer told me the car was probably going to stall out a couple more times until the E85 had cleared the system...it did stall out ......all the way back to Virginia and after a week at the dealership in Virginia.....and consultations with the manufacturer the problem was diagnosed as a "Crank shaft sensor" which was then replaced....computer reprogrammed and now ......what a difference.....SO it was nothing to do with E85 just some BS from a dealership that wanted to make some money. Just needed to vent that.....I want to write to that dealer and ask for my $150 back but my wife says not to...not worth the hassle ......just let it go! .........?
Philip

Loosely quoted "the only thing needed for crooks to thrive is for knowing people to do nothing."

You really should make a formal complaint to who ever regulates auto repair in your state. Then you need to take all measures to get your money back and include gas for the running back and forth. JMO.

Yeah, and she knows me better than that...it's not something I can do nothing about!
Philip

[Elumia]

Probably the reason you got screwed by the dealer is that likley many others "let it go" too, so they now have a license to steal. Dealer service has added to the illusion that American cars suck. You should also write to the Mfg. In these tough times, many dealers will be closed. The Mfg has an interest in keeping the good ones open.

If they don't resolve your problem, I would contact small claims court. Sticking to your principals may save some else down the line.

Mark

[caseydog]

Probably the reason you got screwed by the dealer is that likley many others "let it go" too, so they now have a license to steal. Dealer service has added to the illusion that American cars suck. You should also write to the Mfg. In these tough times, many dealers will be closed. The Mfg has an interest in keeping the good ones open.

If they don't resolve your problem, I would contact small claims court. Sticking to your principals may save some else down the line.

Mark

The repair that the second dealer made that, in the end, fixed the problem should be all you need to get a refund. Contact the first dealer, first. Fax them the documentation from the final repair, and ask for a refund, since they obviously misdiagnosed the problem.

If the second dealer sold you the car, and wants to keep you as a customer, they might help you, too.

CD

[BrwBier]

Having been and auto tech for more than 25 years I will tell you a secret. There are two words that make it harder to cheat you and it makes no differance if you know what you are looking at or not. The two words are "SHOW ME". If they say they can't show you or give you a story about no customers in the shop then take your car and run, fast. OSHA rules and insurance rules allow customers to be escorted into the shop to be shown a problem on their car.
Brwbier