main dealer woes
Discussion
Advice please on situation i have got myself into,I purchased a citroen c5 x7 exclusive 2008 4 weeks ago noticed that the front sat a bit high so booked it into my local independant garage who fitted 2 rear comfort spheres but was informed that it would need to go to the main dealer for them to plug in the LEXIA to calibrate the sensors ride height etc......The car has always risen and lowered and the hydraulic motor was working fine.
I booked the car in at the main dealer for 2 hrs diagnostics/setting up and calibration,The car was driven 8 miles to them and was a bit low but drove fine with no problems.
I was not present(was not asked to) when the car was checked/inspected prior to being worked on, there are a few small scratches on the rear bumper which were noted on the form which i signed(but they ticked the box that said shown to customer).
So fast forward 2 hrs and when i arrived was informed that the hydraulic pump was not working!!!!and would be 1,013,13GBP to replace,when i mentioned that i drove the car 8 miles to them as now the car was on its bump stops and i could'nt even get my foot to fit under the sill?They told me they had replaced the fuse that had blown and they found power going to the motor so advised a new pump!
I said that if i paid for them to supply and fit a new pump motor could they guarentee that that would work and they said no (bearing in mind the pump had worked for 66,0000 miles and was not a problem in the last 4 weeks.
So after paying £121.00 for them to release the car to me and driving very carefully back home was feeling a bit miffed that as soon as they drove the car in the garage they would have known straight away that the car was too low and i think that 2 hrs spent without being informed was a bit naughty.
The next day i rang bba reman for a price on an exchange unit so i needed the part number,I thought i would check the maxi fuse aswell and that had put an 80amp in instead of a 40amp!!!!!also when i moved the wires that went to the pump so i could get the part number i noticed that the wiring harness was not fully seated bearing in mind these a connectors "click" in place and are very secure,so when reconnected the pump kicked into life and all has been fine since.
I know its only £121.00 but i would have thought that they would checked the connections etc and as for the 80amp fuse surely that was a fire hazard and the qualified mechanics should have known what fuse was right?
Would i benefit from having a polite word with them about it (a refund would be nice as the wrong fuse they fitted was a spare that was in my fuse box)
Any advice greatly appreciated.
I booked the car in at the main dealer for 2 hrs diagnostics/setting up and calibration,The car was driven 8 miles to them and was a bit low but drove fine with no problems.
I was not present(was not asked to) when the car was checked/inspected prior to being worked on, there are a few small scratches on the rear bumper which were noted on the form which i signed(but they ticked the box that said shown to customer).
So fast forward 2 hrs and when i arrived was informed that the hydraulic pump was not working!!!!and would be 1,013,13GBP to replace,when i mentioned that i drove the car 8 miles to them as now the car was on its bump stops and i could'nt even get my foot to fit under the sill?They told me they had replaced the fuse that had blown and they found power going to the motor so advised a new pump!
I said that if i paid for them to supply and fit a new pump motor could they guarentee that that would work and they said no (bearing in mind the pump had worked for 66,0000 miles and was not a problem in the last 4 weeks.
So after paying £121.00 for them to release the car to me and driving very carefully back home was feeling a bit miffed that as soon as they drove the car in the garage they would have known straight away that the car was too low and i think that 2 hrs spent without being informed was a bit naughty.
The next day i rang bba reman for a price on an exchange unit so i needed the part number,I thought i would check the maxi fuse aswell and that had put an 80amp in instead of a 40amp!!!!!also when i moved the wires that went to the pump so i could get the part number i noticed that the wiring harness was not fully seated bearing in mind these a connectors "click" in place and are very secure,so when reconnected the pump kicked into life and all has been fine since.
I know its only £121.00 but i would have thought that they would checked the connections etc and as for the 80amp fuse surely that was a fire hazard and the qualified mechanics should have known what fuse was right?
Would i benefit from having a polite word with them about it (a refund would be nice as the wrong fuse they fitted was a spare that was in my fuse box)
Any advice greatly appreciated.
I would have thought the first thing a qualified mechanic would have checked is that data and power cables were secure and as for putting double the size fuse could have been a fire risk.
If I had paid £1013.13 for a pump that would have worked as all the cables would have to be connected?the more i think about the more fishy it seems.
If I had paid £1013.13 for a pump that would have worked as all the cables would have to be connected?the more i think about the more fishy it seems.
barryrs said:
Just a thought but would the independent garage have disconnected the pump as part of the works they undertook and just forgot to reconnect it?
Thats not to excuse the complete lack of diagnostics checking but my recent experience has found that finding faults is secondary to replacing parts at most dealers these days.
I have been driving the car for 2 weeks since the indie worked on it and have done 200 miles since and only needed the suspension calibrated by the main dealers equipment.Thats not to excuse the complete lack of diagnostics checking but my recent experience has found that finding faults is secondary to replacing parts at most dealers these days.
Sheepshanks said:
I'd be amazed if that applies even when an indie has worked on the car, especially on the suspension itself. Does the car have full Citroen service history?
I try not to be cynical about these things, but it's hard not to think that the dealership tried to steal a grand off you.
I have been chilled out about it but "even Dick Turpin wore a mask" and as for the 200,000km warrenty or 6yrs which ever come sooner just seemed to show how reliable they are,when i was looking for a C5 they had the on Ebay 260,000 miles on the clock and still going strong i really struggled to get a "low" mileage 1 owner with full main dealer service history and with 10 mths MOT and no advisories.I try not to be cynical about these things, but it's hard not to think that the dealership tried to steal a grand off you.
Have just spoken to main dealer and they are insistant that the fuse they put in was 60amp even though i said it should be 40amp but they are basically calling me a liar and when i mentioned what i paid £121.00 for they said it was diagnosis that the pump needed replacing?
When i said i connected the pump and its fine they said it could fail at any time,i politely asked for a refund as they clearly misdiagnosed the problem.
When i said i connected the pump and its fine they said it could fail at any time,i politely asked for a refund as they clearly misdiagnosed the problem.
Beetnik said:
to which they replied?
I am awaiting their response?also the fluid was low and sometimes the pumps need 1 bar pressure to kick start them off but clearly they never checked fluid levels!They also saw the car 2 weeks ago and they had the car rising and lowering but they seem to have forgotten that.
When they ring back i'll post it up but its their word against mine but seeing as i was willing to for a new pump must mean something?
funkyrobot said:
It's not the car that has taken the shine off, it's the stupid dealership.
Seriously, don't hang around. Ring them back, ask to speak to the dealer principle or manager. Failing that, the next highest person around. Tell them what has happened and tell them that you want a response on the situation in the next hour.
If not, tell them you will be calling the manufacturer's uk office.
Not able to talk to manager/dp directly but the service manager will speak to him then call,Throughout my contact with them i have been courteous and polite but does'nt seem to have got me anywhere.....Seriously, don't hang around. Ring them back, ask to speak to the dealer principle or manager. Failing that, the next highest person around. Tell them what has happened and tell them that you want a response on the situation in the next hour.
If not, tell them you will be calling the manufacturer's uk office.
funkyrobot said:
The problem with this is that the service manager may not be calling you back in a timely fashion. If they have shown this level of incompetence already, don't bank on him calling you back with a satisfactory response soon.
I would call, ask what progress has been made, say that you want to know in an hour's time. Say if you haven't heard, you will escalate.
The service manager is taking my concerns very serious as he's just popped out to change a customers tyre.....i'll give them till 4 then i'll call again.I would call, ask what progress has been made, say that you want to know in an hour's time. Say if you haven't heard, you will escalate.
My original plan was to next week park the car in front of the showroom and raise and lower it then ask them that the f
kety fked pump that was fked is not really fked just been touched by 12yr old with a haynes manual/ but as i did'nt want them to wonder why it took so long to call and explain my disproval.seeing as its a main dealer only part and no way could i have changed it within 2 days says alot.Stickyfinger said:
They are talking Bullst......the pump does report codes via the suspension ecu and pressure sensors/height sensors will throw codes as well.
Just to check, this is a Citroen Main Dealer we are talking about correct ?
FYI.....IF they drained the pump then it needs about 3psi positive pressure to the LDS tank to prime it. A cap and bike valve/pump will do it (NOT a compressor
)
I can't name and shame but they are a main dealer in a village in lincolnshire.the name is similar to positive(in meaning) and are located in MOUTH (sounds like)t......the pump does report codes via the suspension ecu and pressure sensors/height sensors will throw codes as well.Just to check, this is a Citroen Main Dealer we are talking about correct ?
FYI.....IF they drained the pump then it needs about 3psi positive pressure to the LDS tank to prime it. A cap and bike valve/pump will do it (NOT a compressor
)Edited by Stickyfinger on Saturday 27th February 10:10
The faults they found were front and rear height sensors and no dialogue with the bsi?
Both height sensors were replaced by evans halshaw last march and reseting geometry was £387.38?
Stickyfinger said:
How are yuo getting on with your C5x7 suspension ?
I note you have had a fair few items such as the height sensors changed etc.
As such and knowing the levels of service you have had I really think you should bite the bullet and get it checked out as well as having the ride heights changed etc.
When parked they can look high at times but remember they also drop at speed with the H-Active+3 suspension so you have to be careful.
Forgive me for the assumption but you are also new to the system/Hydro-Active+3 and I really should remind you that a little input and checking by a specialist like Pleiades Car Services is worth gold in the bank later as is the knowledge you get just by chatting to them.
For example, NEVER jack up the car without first raising the suspension as you can damage the strut seals......
I would gladly pay for someone to check/calibrate suspension but after my recent experience with main dealer have lost confidence in their ability and for trying to rip me off to the tune of £1000 thats just out of order!I note you have had a fair few items such as the height sensors changed etc.
As such and knowing the levels of service you have had I really think you should bite the bullet and get it checked out as well as having the ride heights changed etc.
When parked they can look high at times but remember they also drop at speed with the H-Active+3 suspension so you have to be careful.
Forgive me for the assumption but you are also new to the system/Hydro-Active+3 and I really should remind you that a little input and checking by a specialist like Pleiades Car Services is worth gold in the bank later as is the knowledge you get just by chatting to them.
For example, NEVER jack up the car without first raising the suspension as you can damage the strut seals......
Is pleiades near lincolnshire as only have limited amount of time free from work?
As members have suggested i contacted service manager and they ended up telling me the pump was disconnected by them to stop the fuse blowiing but they still refused a refund,so i contacted citroen u.k. for them to contact dealer principle which they did on my behalf but he was unavailable so don't know what to do now?
On a side note i had a phone call from my sons friend last night to say my son had passed out and was taken by ambulance to shorpe A&E! so i had to use my citroen with the pump that could fail at any time and with the correct 40 amp fuse fitted did not blow up (rode a bit high) but got me there and back(was informed that my 17yr old son has a problem with his heart which was a bit upsetting and all the more reason for me to be pissed of with the idiots who intentionally unplugged my pump without telling me..............thanks for all the helpful advice though.
On a side note i had a phone call from my sons friend last night to say my son had passed out and was taken by ambulance to s
horpe A&E! so i had to use my citroen with the pump that could fail at any time and with the correct 40 amp fuse fitted did not blow up (rode a bit high) but got me there and back(was informed that my 17yr old son has a problem with his heart which was a bit upsetting and all the more reason for me to be pissed of with the idiots who intentionally unplugged my pump without telling me..............thanks for all the helpful advice though.Update-It looks like they will not reimburse money paid as legally all they have to do is try remedy the original fault (as if i'm going to let them touch it again after their inability to know what size fuse should be fitted and the fact they admitted to leaving the pump disconnected without informing me)....
Have been using the car ALL week and no problems with pump operation and the original fault is fixed by my local mechanic?it was just the height sensor that needed manually adjusting and now wafts over sleeping policemen and speed bumps and the cost?Not £1013 but £45.00 and that included hydraulic liquid.
So good news but still pissed off with main dealer though.Will now enjoy wafting,thanks for all the advice.
Have been using the car ALL week and no problems with pump operation and the original fault is fixed by my local mechanic?it was just the height sensor that needed manually adjusting and now wafts over sleeping policemen and speed bumps and the cost?Not £1013 but £45.00 and that included hydraulic liquid.
So good news but still pissed off with main dealer though.Will now enjoy wafting,thanks for all the advice.
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