by "LJ909" (lj909)
Published 12/28/2017 at 11:48
by "LJ909" (lj909)
Published 12/28/2017 at 11:48
No Tags
STARS: 0
Yes my car has a lot of miles and things going wrong are to be expected now, but its still starting to be coming a headache. My local Chevy dealer said that they believe the reason its not starting is because of the Engine Control Module. This is the conclusion they came to after having the car for 3 days. There is also a recall on the car for a damaged catalytic converter. Here’s where I think they are bull though ( but I could be wrong): they told me that in order for them to fix the recall, I have to fix the ECM first. Price? $786. Almost $800 for a part that can be found for less than $100 on the internet. Pretty much all labor costs. Me fixing the ECM so the recall can be fixed seems like they are trying to recoup the costs of them having to fix the recall for free. That would also imply that the ECM is the cause for the catalytic converter going bad, which would mean that GM would have to pay me back the costs of the repair for the ECM. SO I went to go get my car because with me going to trade it soon that’s more than I want to put into the car and its parked while I drive the Mustang. I could be wrong though about the ECM and everything. Any suggestions?
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
12/28/2017 at 12:18, STARS: 0
If it’s a recall there is no reason for them to not fix it. Depending on where you live anything emissions related is warranted for 10/100k ( I think). If the ecm has messed up the cat then that should be on them too. Maybe bitch and moan a bit or try a different chevy dealer. Can’t hurt.
"LJ909" (lj909)
12/28/2017 at 12:26, STARS: 0
Yea I thought about seeing what other Chevy dealers have to say but something isnt adding up. Besides, $800 bucks is more than I think anyone would want to spend on repairs to a Sonic.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
12/28/2017 at 12:26, STARS: 0
Dealers don’t do recall work for free, they get paid by the manufacturer. Sounds like they want to make sure the car starts and runs before doing the recall.
You could always try to fix the ECM on your own, but I don’t know if it’d be coded to any kind of immobilizer key or something.
"LJ909" (lj909)
12/28/2017 at 12:28, STARS: 0
Thats the thing, it starts normally, but when it wants to and thats the problem. But I can understand that. I thought about doing the ECM on my own but the codes, I dont want that to be a problem.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
12/28/2017 at 12:36, STARS: 0
How many miles on the car?
You should ask why they can’t do the recall without the PCM first. They might have a good reason. I can’t think of any, but it’s possible.
The PCM is probably VIN coded and requires programming. A used one may not work without some aftermarket wizardry.
"LJ909" (lj909)
12/28/2017 at 13:22, STARS: 0
About 165 thousand. But I was going to ask them why they cant do the ecm first because they never gave me a reason as to why they couldnt do it first. But I wouldnt get a used one anyway for that exact reason.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
12/28/2017 at 13:25, STARS: 0
Definitely outside of any federal emissions warranty. Damn. Definitely get more information from them. And see if that quote includes diagnosis up to this point.
"LJ909" (lj909)
12/28/2017 at 13:27, STARS: 0
Yea I drive alot. But I’ll try. That price they quoted looked to be all labor.
"LOREM IPSUM" (lorem---ipsum)
12/28/2017 at 13:37, STARS: 1
Donate it and use it as a write-off. It probably isn’t worth the headache.
"brianbrannon" (brianbrannon)
12/28/2017 at 14:49, STARS: 0
Service advisor is lying about having to do the ecm before the recall can be done
"LJ909" (lj909)
12/28/2017 at 14:54, STARS: 0
Care to explain?
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
12/28/2017 at 15:07, STARS: 0
Makes sense if it includes diagnosis. But I’m surprised at how cheap that is compared to what I’m used to seeing.
"LJ909" (lj909)
12/28/2017 at 15:09, STARS: 0
The highest I saw was Rock Auto for a not too bad $135.79.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
12/28/2017 at 15:32, STARS: 0
wow! That’s insane! I’ve never known a new engine module to be that cheap on any car!
"LJ909" (lj909)
12/28/2017 at 15:33, STARS: 0
Its a Sonic so not surprised. Thats why I was expecting 400 at the most to replace it at the dealer.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
12/28/2017 at 16:07, STARS: 0
But if they’ve for a bunch of time into diagnosing it the added cost makes sense.
"DarrenMR" (darrenmr)
12/28/2017 at 18:37, STARS: 1
In around 2006 I had an 03 crapolier, and the ECM went bad and the car wouldnt start occasionally. It was a huge pain and nearly cost me a job. I hated that damn car.