warranty work at Mcdowell Dealership

[THE beaver]

Almost 6 months ago I went to Power Jeep on Mcdowell to have some work done on my transfer case. It wouldn't stay in 4 wheel low while I was out on the trail. Since I have a bumper to bumper warranty I assumed that whatever work was done would have been covered. I was incorrect, I was told that the only thing that needed to be done was an adjustment, since nothing was broken I needed to pay $200 to have the adjustment done.

I spoke with the service department guy that I droped my jeep off with. Me: "So what your saying is that the next time I need work to be done on my jeep to be covered by a warranty something needs to be broken" (long pause) Service guy "Yes". Me "Thats the stupidest thing I have ever heard, I will try and break something for you next time"

I picked up my jeep the next day paid him his money and noticed that the shift indicator (I have an automatic) was broken and wouldn't indicate what gear I was in when I shifted. It wasn't like that when I brought it in. I was frustrated then but figured I would just deal with it myself, which was stupid. At least the transfer case was working again.

This week I tried useing the 4 low again, and the same thing happened. It wouldn't stay in 4 low. Instead of going back to the dealership I decided to investigate the problem myself..

This is where I got really pissed. The adjustment the dealership did was simply drilling holes in my console and sliding it back an inch so that the handle for the transfer case will move back further. They also drilled holes in the floor pan. This was not discussed between me and the service rep. I feel that they took the simple easy fix instead of doing it properly and it cost me $200 bucks. If I was told that that was how they were going to fix it I would have told them NO, and said why dont we try and fix it the right way.

My next plan is to go back there and while being polite, ask them to fix it with out drilling more holes but to do it properly, and not haveing me pay for it.

[ademster]

thats fawked..


I work at an repair shop here in flagstaff,
and most of the time issues that we come across liek that are usually the range fork springs and or the fork it self...

no adjustments as to what they did will work.... what I would try to do.... is take the shift lever off the t-case.. and shift the t-case into 4 lo by hand... then try it see if it stays.

but I am thinking it is an internal issue

[ademster]

second thought

find out who the area rep is and contact him/her.. that will light a fire under that dealerships service drive... and demand your money back AND OR Buy back option and get your self a new rig....

[wannabejeeper]

First, is it lifted? If so, done by the dealership?

Second, the 'repair' they did can help. I trimmed the tub after lifting mine, it allows the shifter to go back and engage all the way. You can also adjust the linkage for the t-case.

Third, if it's not lifted, it should be under warranty, if they lifted it, they should have fixed it, if you had it lifted somewhere else, it's your own fault for not taking it to who lifted it or fixing it yourself.

Fourth, I doubt there's anything wrong with the t-case.

If it is stock, take it back to them, ask for the service mgr. and get your $$ back. You can try calling DC if that doesn't work, but it usually doesn't go anywhere.

[desertdawg]

If you're talking about the Power Jeep on Mcdowell in Scottsdale, that is where I bought mine when it was named Petri. I bought mine already lifted and had the same issue with it popping out of 4 low. They made an adjustment and took care of the problem. It was covered under the warranty and they didn't charge me. If it's still under warranty you shouldn't have to pay. I would take it up the chain!

[Bohunter]

I had the same problem after I did a 1" BL, notched the carriage where the shift lever goes, the whole nine yards, still couldn't get it right.

5 minutes at 4 Wheelers and they had it adjusted and working perfectly for me...

[Jdemonto@Airpark Jeep Sales]

If it has a bl then you need a bracket kit to align your shift linkage, I had to add it because it would not adjust right.

BTW.....$200 for what????????????



Jason

[CaptainMorgan]

thats fawked..


I work at an repair shop here in flagstaff,
and most of the time issues that we come across liek that are usually the range fork springs and or the fork it self...

no adjustments as to what they did will work.... what I would try to do.... is take the shift lever off the t-case.. and shift the t-case into 4 lo by hand... then try it see if it stays.

but I am thinking it is an internal issue

Where do you work in flag? I swear I have seen that cj around. I live up here too, always like to say hi to fellow flagstaff Jeepers.

[THE beaver]

all of these questions are good. I had the lift installed at the dealership when it was called pitre (It is a 3" teraflex). When i went back it was called Power. I noticed that all of the service reps that were there when it was called pitre had all gone to another dealership since the name change, but was willing to give them an opportunity to prove themselves.

I liked the reps that were there before and considering it was the 4th jeep I had work done on there I figured things couldn't have changed that much. Besides I was a loyal customer/sucker. I have a feeling they will fix it.

Oh the $200 was for parts and labor. I should have asked to see the parts. You live and learn I guess.

Hopefully next week this will be resolved. I will keep everyone posted.

[Washington_XJ]

First, is it lifted? If so, done by the dealership?

Second, the 'repair' they did can help. I trimmed the tub after lifting mine, it allows the shifter to go back and engage all the way. You can also adjust the linkage for the t-case.

Third, if it's not lifted, it should be under warranty, if they lifted it, they should have fixed it, if you had it lifted somewhere else, it's your own fault for not taking it to who lifted it or fixing it yourself.

Fourth, I doubt there's anything wrong with the t-case.

If it is stock, take it back to them, ask for the service mgr. and get your $$ back. You can try calling DC if that doesn't work, but it usually doesn't go anywhere.


Yeah all your points are valid but the fact of the matter is he didn't get a warrenty deal anyway. He still had to pay $200 for someone to drill holes in his rig. Thats wrong. They should fix it for free and/or compensate you for the mis-work. You'd be surprised what you can get accomplished when contacting a district manager or even store manager.

[Dragonfly]

Go see the service manager there and present your case, his office is right across from the parts dept. beside the door to the service bays, he has always taken care of my jeep issues and serviceman screw ups, including money reimbursed.....

Good luck

[SundevilTJ]

They should have NOT done what they did. It sounds like a linkage adjustment which would not require any drilling. imho
I had a similar experience there with my wife's grand cherokee which has an extended warranty. The heater core (clearly) went out and they tried to make me replace the $300 lines as well.(when they were in great condition and low mileage) I called BS and showed the mechanic why the lines were NOT bad. Then, I had a closed-door office meeting with the shop manager to explain why the repairs were not needed. After he heard my explanation of where the heater core was leaking and the lines wee not bad, he said you are right and the lines should not be replaced. So - it only cost me the $100 dollar deductible vs. the $850total cost to replace the heater core + $300 for the lines. Frankly, I will never take any vehicle to that dealership again. If my GC needs anything in the future I will go to the dealership in north scottsdale.(Airpark) Sorry for rambling/venting,(just wanted to share a similar experience) but maybe you should try another dealership.

[wannabejeeper]

Yeah all your points are valid but the fact of the matter is he didn't get a warrenty deal anyway. He still had to pay $200 for someone to drill holes in his rig. Thats wrong. They should fix it for free and/or compensate you for the mis-work. You'd be surprised what you can get accomplished when contacting a district manager or even store manager.

I totally agree, they shouldn't have drilled holes w/o auth.

[THE beaver]

Guess what? I finally got my problem fixed but at Air Park. Pitre/power never installed the transfer case drop bracket when they installed the lift, which is what they were supposed to do. I have the receipt to prove it.

I was told to adress the issue with them and most likely will be asking them some questions in the comeing week. I will continue to keep everyone posted.

[neZZr]

I've never seen a t/case linkage adjustment that needed holes drilled in the tub to relocate the bracket! :eek: I also can't see how the guy would think that is the "easy" fix. There is a very clear adjustment on the linkage itself... that's just pathetic what he did! :(