What would you do?

agentf1 · 07-21-2008, 05:11 PM

I have been going back and forth with our local Dodge Dealership/Viper Tech trying to get my alarm issue resolved and am going on my third visit.

First visit they realized they needed to order a BCM.

Second visit they installed it and realaized they need to order the disarm switch in the glove box since that circuit is always hot and shouldn't be.

I usually wait for the car and of course always leave a nice tip after each visit.

I just called and confirmed my switch or as they call it, harness is in. You need to take the console out and then the panel behind the seat to get to this switch. I know I have taken the console out and put it back in in less than 1 hour. NOW the service guy is telling me I have to leave the car because it is a lot of work. I am NOT comfortable leaving it in their hands unsupervised and think this job can definitely be completed within a day.

Should I tell them I wait for the car or am going to another dealer? I don't minds waiting even if it is all day and feel that that job is definitely not a > 1 day job. They also do not have a lto of safe parking around the dealership. There is another Viper Tech at Edgement Dodge which is approx 30 minutes away (15 minute farther) and then there is also Reedman which has come recommended from another VCA member but they are over 1 hour away.

I hate getting my freaking cars serviced.

Am I being too anal? (after watching the past 2 visits I am even more weary about them scratching it or not taking proper care.)

dave6666 · 07-21-2008, 05:25 PM

Why can't you do this work yourself, as you stated you have taken the center console out before? That switch ain't rocket science.

And your other question... No one keeps my car overnight.

Hmm. Silly thing to say, as no one besides Dave even gets to work on it.

agentf1 · 07-21-2008, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave6666

Why can't you do this work yourself, as you stated you have taken the center console out before? That switch ain't rocket science.

And your other question... No one keeps my car overnight.

Hmm. Silly thing to say, as no one besides Dave even gets to work on it.

Warranty work. I never thought about pricing the switch and just buying it. Obviously the BCM was very expensive and needed to go through warranty.

The only show stopper I see is I was told that the switch needs to be programmed for my key.

If I can do the work myself and the parts are not too expensive or I can talk the dealership into giving me the parts (I have a chevy dealership that does this for me for the Z06) I would prefer to do it myself.

Burntrubber · 07-21-2008, 05:59 PM

My car has been with my tech for about 3 weeks...
I know he keeps it inside the engine bay at night...
there are also 8-10 vipers there when I go so I am comfortable with it.
DOes he have other vipers there? or is yours the only viper?

agentf1 · 07-21-2008, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burntrubber

My car has been with my tech for about 3 weeks...
I know he keeps it inside the engine bay at night...
there are also 8-10 vipers there when I go so I am comfortable with it.
DOes he have other vipers there? or is yours the only viper?

They rarely get Vipers. Mine would be the only one. It is not a very big dealership either so there is not a lot of room in or out of the service bay.

Looking at the manual it looks like they have to replace the harness which runs to the emergency brake, VTSS Switch and DS Seat belt. Looks like the carpet may need to come out of DS. Also shows going into console so I do not know if it hooks into another harness under console or under car.

Hopefully somebody that knows Vipers real well and always works on them like Chuck Tator could chime in with what is really involved with this job. Chuck???

plumcrazy · 07-21-2008, 06:40 PM

hate to say it but it would NOT happen at tators.... you live to close not to go there.

its far, i agree..... but worth it

agentf1 · 07-21-2008, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plumcrazy

hate to say it but it would NOT happen at tators.... you live to close not to go there.

its far, i agree..... but worth it

If he wasn't close to 4 hours away (each way) I would be there.

99 R/T 10 · 07-21-2008, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agentf1

If he wasn't close to 4 hours away (each way) I would be there.

You shouldn't look at it as a 8 hour jaunt, but a relaxing day trip to get you car healthy!

Plus the deviled eggs!

Purdue_Boiler_Viper · 07-21-2008, 07:42 PM

4 hours?

Unless you are worried about the mileage, just take it to Chuck. He will fix the car completely, at a reasonable price. And he won't drive it at 120 down the sidestreets. I think.

Jerome Sparich · 07-21-2008, 07:52 PM

DON"T go to Reedmans!

I have bought many a vehicle from them, but I WILL NOT ever let them service them.

Lee00blacksilverGTS · 07-21-2008, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plumcrazy

hate to say it but it would NOT happen at tators.... you live to close not to go there.

its far, i agree..... but worth it

I agree, that's not too far. I'm twice the distance but I would suck it up and drive OR trailer to Chuck. If you don't have a trailer or tow vehicle maybe a local VCA member will step up.

dave6666 · 07-21-2008, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agentf1

The only show stopper I see is I was told that the switch needs to be programmed for my key.

Quote:

Originally Posted by agentf1

Looking at the manual it looks like they have to replace the harness which runs to the emergency brake, VTSS Switch and DS Seat belt. Looks like the carpet may need to come out of DS. Also shows going into console so I do not know if it hooks into another harness under console or under car.

The key switch needs to be keyed for sure. Programming it?!?

Why are they doing all that other crap to replace the switch? It has a wiring disconnect on it. Plus, I spliced mine with some automotive terminals to make it easier to get apart.

Kind of a grainy pic, but where the shiny red terminals are I cut the harness and did some disconnects. The factory disconnect on top of the switch is a PITA. Otherwise, if they are saying the harness AND the switch are one piece, then yes, it's a long trail of wires. You can see all the directions it heads like you said, in the pic.

Good luck. Hey, let me show up there...

agentf1 · 07-22-2008, 05:12 PM

Thanks for the pic Dave. Yep, thats it. Apparently they want to replace the entire harness.

I spoke to Chuck today and he suggested doing exactly what you did, just cutting the wires and putting the switch on with a couple of wire connectors. Sounds like a better idea than taking the entire interior apart to re run the harness.

I think my tech thought the key switch would be part of it and it would have to be programmed somehow. Apparently it just plugs into the key cylinder which will not need to be replaced.

I have to talk to my tech. I suspect he will want to just spice it in after talking to him.

dave6666 · 07-22-2008, 08:36 PM

Magicboy2 · 08-04-2008, 01:59 PM

Frank what dealer? Weathers? I have left my car overnight there- they do keep it inside. It gets dirty, but at least they know to not leave it out.