Another Dealer Screw Up

[Ranger]

Had my car in to get the B0429 code repaired under warranty. Picked it up this morning. Very little air flow from the dash vent. The vents whistle and the B0429 is still current along with a million other history codes. Boy am I pissed!

[Bruce Nunnally]

That's frustrating. Hopefully they'll do better on the next try.

[Cadillac Jim]

Sometimes a pressure wash under the car can cause lots of spurious codes. Clear them all and see if any of them come back.

[ted tcb]

Sometimes a pressure wash under the car can cause lots of spurious codes. Clear them all and see if any of them come back.

That still doesn't explain the loss of dash vent airflow ... almost sounds like they dislodged some plumbing up there.

[BodybyFisher]

How is it that DIYers can mess with these cars and NOT cause problems but the dealer screws up? Sounds to me like, they are moving so fast because of the TIME IS MONEY component that they are careless.

[Ranger]

The underside was not pressure washed. If that where true, driving on a rainy road would set DTC's.

But wait, it gets better. I later noticed grease on the seat. As if that was not bad enough, the passengers side dash pad hold down clip was broken. That was pointed out when I picked it up and was told that a new one was on order so I have to make a trip back to get it fixed. Then I noticed the Zebrano wood across the dash was scratched at the far right by the broken clip. It is a good thing that I was not at the dealer when I saw it. I am livid. I just got off the phone with the service adviser and told him I wanted it replaced. He knows I take better care of my cars than myself. Said he would order it right away. Probably won't get this taken care of till Monday. That means another trip, probably another loaner and another trip back to pick my car up. I am looking forward to the "are you satisfied with the service" phone call.

[BodybyFisher]

By the way, it is VERY VERY easy to scratch the zebrano wood taking the dash pad off, I scratched mine, the clips do it easily. Not to make an excuse for them, but I just wanted you to know that, THEY should know better

[Ranger]

He probably does know better and would have taken greater care if it where HIS car. My understanding is that they don't get paid for "comebacks", so he'll pay the price. Not sure who foots the bill for the Zebrano panel. I suspect the dealer will.

[Poobah]

Sounds to me like, they are moving so fast because of the TIME IS MONEY component that they are careless.

Doing a job over always takes more time than the little extra time it takes to do it right the first time.

[BodybyFisher]

Sounds to me like, they are moving so fast because of the TIME IS MONEY component that they are careless.

Doing a job over always takes more time than the little extra time it takes to do it right the first time.

Very True

[thu]

I had something similar happen to me. I had a rattle in the dash. Vehicle (a Superduty Diesel pickup) was under warranty. Took it to the dealer, no big deal.

When I picked it up, I found screwdriver pry marks *all over* the dash. What the heck?!?!? Complained to service manager about it immediately as I had not even left the parking lot yet.

The guy didn't know how to take off the dash panels, so he just started prying everywhere. If he had read the service manual, all he needed to do is remove the radio (easy with a simple tool), then remove four bolts and the entire dash pops off w/o tools.

They replaced the entire dash cover (very expensive - a grand?). The next day, they fired the guy who did it. Apparently, it was an ongoing problem with this guy.

[GreenMachine]

Its not just Cadillac's I'm sorry to say, but the Buick/Saab dealer I purchased my Pontiac Grand Prix from saw me a few times under my certified warranty (and after)

I have to agree fully with ranger, its not the fact that they did the repair wrong, that's part of it, but it irks me to have to miss work or take extra time out of enjoying the vehicle to have a repeat visit. Just getting information on tires from the dealer yielded multiple visits and since I've moved on and given up on them. I didn't get a loaner vehicle for any of my visits, just a shuttle to drop me off where ever.

3 visits for my Radio (6 disc in dash not functional.

2 Visits over a water leak

Lost count about tires (that's a long story)

The main thing that still ticks me off is the slight amount of staining on my roof from when my onstar antenna leaked (located just above the map lights and able to feed the roof water). I should've pushed harder for a better fix than just a detailing but they said they could have been "existing stains" but did agree to clean all the grease off the interior they obviously did add while fixing the problem....that I just can't understand, why have the same guy working under the hood as the guy pulling apart your white interior? If you do, have them put gloves on or have your detail guys clean it.

Compare those above visits with what I have done to the vehicle (or had help):

Exhaust- Mufflerman mostly, I did the manifolds, not a single problem,

Pulley- I had the belt over a wrong groove so it squealed, a new belt and in the right groove fixed that.

Plugs, Checking wires, oil changes, rotating tires, nothing.

Really DIY philosophy has kept me happy and sane

The attitude dealers is a little odd to, like their in a constant state of making it seem like they are doing you a favor somehow when really its usually the opposite or because they made an oops.

[stsjoe]

Well, I never posted this before because I was to embarrased, but I tell you my horror story.

Third Caddy I got was the first with a Northstar (95 Eldorado) from the start it was hard to start when warmed up (FPR) By day 4 of ownership come off the interstate to a light car dies, finally get it started but I'm laying smoke like a Destroyer and it dies below 2,000 RPM (FPR!) The friendly Cadilac Dealership replaced the........are you ready?.......fuel pump, fuel pump wiring pigtail, EGR,plugs, wires and finally the *&%##* FPR! 1500.00 later I get my car back. This happened between posting on the old board and the new, should have looked you guys up

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest, I got fleeced BIG time

[Texas Jim]

I reckon I should appreciate my dealer more. Frank Kent Cadillac in Ft. Worth. It seems like I am extremly fortunate to have a good dealer. At least so far.

"SO FAR" they have been prompt, courteous, nice and do what they say they are going to do. Thay always have a nice loaner for me, with XM and OnStar activated.

The service manager himself, spent over 2.5 hours one day addressing my concerns about the rear ride height of the car with a Tech 2. He ended up lowering the rear about 2.5 inches and the front about 1.5 inches. While doing THAT, he downloaded all the updates that were available and using the Tech 2, updated all the computers in the car.

They always wash it for me. Free. One time they replaced the air filter without asking me during an oil change, and then only charged me 6 bucks for the air filter because they hadn't asked before hand about replacing it. AND they apologized for doing it without asking.

They will honor any other GM dealers coupons for cheap oil changes etc etc. Usually get my oil changed for $19.99 plus tax and a $2.00 disposal fee.

After hearing about other peoples experiences with dealers on this board and on the other board ... I reckon I need to take a big box of donuts to them the next time I go by there.

And since Christmas is coming, see if they like Budweiser, Jack Daniels or Canadian Club.

[GreenMachine]

I should comment, before the dealer my dad purchased his caddy from was bought out buy a bigger dealer then the location sold to a used car lot, they were a great service department, very knowledgeable. A long drive from home too ...now even farther if we go to the dealer that bought them out.

The closest dealer is the one my farther was working at as the shuttle driver (almost made him want an Esclade ), I've gotten parts from them a few times for the caddy and they have always been a fare price. Its was nice getting an oxygen sensor for my GP at GM price (its was nearly a 30 dollar swing really).

I guess the moral of the story is you have to find that diamond among the rough....whats worse is thier are people out their who simply don't know they are getting ripped off or taken for a ride. Once my dealer figured out I wasn't just a dumb kid pulling up in his fathers caddy to look at inventory, they changed tune a bit...a bit.

[stsjoe]

Texas, I thought the largest volume/best service Cadillac dealer was in Texas, but can't remember the name

[Ranger]

It gets better. Today I noticed scratches on the Zebrano wood trim on the steering wheel.

[JIMDTS]

Larry

Sorry to hear about your ordeal. As the say sh** happens. That's enough to piss off the pope.I'm going to take my car into the shop next week for some cosmetic stuff new drivers side carpeting & rf lower seat cover replaced. I always look my car over when I pick it up. Esp this time as it will go to a trim shop that does this work the dealer sends it out

I have been down these roads before One thing about most of the owners on this forum know just about every nick & mark in their cars So if I spot something I sure will mention it

Good Luck

Jim

The dealer I deal with has good techs & some not so good techs. I have been dealing with them long enough to know the good techs.When I bring car car in for service I tell the service writer who I want touching my car I ask for the tech by name & if he's busy that day I come back when they can do my car. My car my call

[Bruce Nunnally]

There is a tech bulletin in new car prep as I recall that tells the dealer how to repair scratches on the wood part of the steering wheel as long as the scratches are only in the clear coat over the wood.

Document ID# 1235169

Repairing Scratched Wood Steering Wheels

Repair Procedure

Remove the steering wheel. Refer to Steering Wheel Replacement .

Wash the wood section of the wheel with wax and grease remover.

Mask off the non-wood area of the steering wheel.

Important

Do NOT sand through the clear.

Sand with 400 grit sand paper first. Finish sanding with 600 grit.

Wash the wood section of the wheel again with wax and grease remover.

Clear coat the steering wheel. Refer to the 2003 GM Approved Refinish Materials Booklet, GM 4901 M-D-2003 (English) or M-D-F2003 (French).

Install the steering wheel. Refer to Steering Wheel Replacement .

[John Wicz]

It gets better. Today I noticed scratches on the Zebrano wood trim on the steering wheel.

If things weren't bad enough already, this just adds insult to injury. I feel your pain, I know that if it was my car, I would be LIVID!! :angry:

[Ranger]

I'm going to tell them I want the wheel replaced. Livid is putting it mildly.

[Cadillac Jim]

Does anyone have a list of approved finish paints from GM 4901 M-D-2003? Apparently this has the data on the clear coats for the Zebrano wood trim and the exterior finishes.

[Bruce Nunnally]

http://sysdoc.doors.ch/GM/2004paintspec_eng.pdf appears to be a copy of the paint spec. It does list the item number for a number of different clear coat paints, but does not list applications.

[Cadillac Jim]

http://sysdoc.doors.ch/GM/2004paintspec_eng.pdf appears to be a copy of the paint spec. It does list the item number for a number of different clear coat paints, but does not list applications.

Thanks. I need to look at clearcoat for my outside paint and to try to fix cracks in the clearcoat on one of my interior Zebrano panels.

[jackc]

I reckon I should appreciate my dealer more. Frank Kent Cadillac in Ft. Worth. It seems like I am extremly fortunate to have a good dealer. At least so far.

My recent experiences with them have also been great. Particularly with the guys in parts - to a person they've gone out of their way to help me get everything I've needed.

I did however have a bad service experience with them several years back. My 83 Eldo had a driveline vibration that I couldn't get out. Tried new tires. Tried every kind of balance. Tried different wheels. Replaced the front axles - myself. Nothing helped. In hindsight, I've concluded it was probably the torque convertor.

Took it to FK for their service guys to look at. It came back to me with one of the CV boots slit. About a month after I'd replaced the axles. It was a clean cut in fresh, new rubber. The service writer told me they couldn't find a problem, but I had a bad CV boot. I'm sure the tech figured, just as I did, that an axle was probably causing the vibration - and that if he could sell me an axle job, the problem would be fixed. But I'd already been down that road. And they didn't bother to talk to me about things - he just took out his knife and slit the boot. Piece of s**t. I replaced the axle myself, again, and vowed that I would never take my car to them again. My parts store replaced the bad axle for free, but the parts guy also thought the boot had been cut.

So - although recent experiences have been good, I'll always approach their service dept with a degree of scepticism. Trust but verify.