Proactive Dealer???

crimzon

crimzon

Member
Took my car in for an oil change. No other issues / problems. Just an oil change.

I thought about pulling my Superchips program off, but figured, it's just an oil change, they wont touch my pcm.... So I thought.

As they pulled it in, they told me it didnt feel right changing gears. They checked common issues with the MM (This is the only one they have seen for service) and found the Transmission code on the pcm is a common issue. So they go ahead and re-flash my pcm. :mad:

I pick it up, and they told me what they did, I didnt know what to say... They were being proactive, so I guess it's not their fault... I hoped my 1725 would see my Vin number, and let me re-flash..... WRONG. Gives me some silly stock program not installed error.

Called Superchips, and after yelling at my for not re-programming, they said they could reboot the tuner, if I could find my reciept for the tuner, and provide a receipt from the dealer (As to what they did).

I dont know if I can take 2 weeks of this mushy shifting! :(

hehe, So the moral of the story is, return your program to stock no matter what...

Ok, sorry for ranting...
 
Your dealer should NOT modify your car without your permission.

It IS their fault and they should make it right.

If I took it in for an oil change and they had reflashed mine, they would be paying for a new dynotune, since that is the only way I can get my tuning back should they f*** it up.

Don't back down on this.

-A
 
I'm talking to the service manager now about it.

Hopefully I can get them to pay for the superchips reset....
 
I bet they will pay for the Superchips reset.....right after they void your warranty!

Look at it from their standpoint: we aren;t supposed to be in there monkeying around with the software which is designed a specific way (such as to keep the car well inside its "potential"limits), thus allowing them to offer a warranty in the first place.

With the gazillion engineers that frequent this site, how come none of them ever pipe up and say something along these lines.

If it were me, and I didn't change my tune back, I would eat the loss and chalk it up as one of life's lessons. Make a big stink about it and they will void your warranty (rightfully so) and then you will be back here *****ing about that.

Lick your wounds and move on.
 
martyo said:
I bet they will pay for the Superchips reset.....right after they void your warranty!
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I was thinking the same thing, and I knew it was my fault for not returning it to stock programming.

When I was talking to the service manager, I was being as nice as I could be. I got him to conference in superchips, and after he explained why I brought the car in, and that they did this without me requesting it, they said they would reset the programmer for free, I would just have to send it to them.

I was so happy that I didnt have to pay the reset fee, I didnt even ask about shipping (Superchips is 30 minutes south of me, I'll just drop it off).

So I guess this is one time where being real nice to the SM paid off.
 
...and I thought the tuners were the new and improved way of programming.:shake:

I'm glad I stuck with the now so called old shool chips, never happens to me.

As far as the dealer updating your EEC, they have every right to exercise upgrades on a vehicle still under warranty. I noticed the wifes LS had a new sticker on the underside of the hood while I was detailing the engine compartment. Apparently while in for it's last schduled oil change, they must have ran a query to check for updates, and she had one coming to her. They never even told us. The EEC had been re-flashed.

There are two ways to avoid this in the future.
1) Tell thhe service advisor to NEVER flash the EEC w/o your permission upon handing them the keys each time.

2)P-touch label the programming port with a label stating NO FLASHES W/O PRIOR CONSENT.

We now use the #1 AND #2 method on the Lincoln.
 
CRUZTAKER said:
1) Tell thhe service advisor to NEVER flash the EEC w/o your permission upon handing them the keys each time.

2)P-touch label the programming port with a label stating NO FLASHES W/O PRIOR CONSENT.
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Great ideas. I was hunting for a roll tape to cover the Port.

I guess I dont understand part of the Tuner design. It locks itself to the VIN number. (and it should) I dont understand why if they flashed my PCM, why the programmer see's that it is the same VIN, and lets you re-flash it. I guess it has something to do with it downloading the code, and making a modification to it, and re-uploading... I keep trying to think of reasons why they would not allow a reset from the programmer if VIN matches, but installed program doesnt.

If it was to keep people from using it on different vehicles, big deal, they obviously re-flashed their computer with something else, thus are not using the tuner anymore. I guess I am missing the one scenario where it would compromise the tuner being locked to one vehicle.
 
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What timing!

Thanks for reminding me to change the program back! I was wondering what would happen to the SCMT if the dealership reflashed.

This weekend I'll be taking my MM to the local L/M dealership for a front end alignment, leaking rear end vent, and an inop. windshield washer jet.
 
Hmm...mine wasnt reflashed for 2 weeks worth of body work? I guess the guys liked it a lot...but I'm doing the sticker thing...
 
I understand that everyone has different priorities on their time and maybe what I am about to say will seem extreme or foolish: On my 95 C/V and my Marauder, nobody, I mean nobody touches my cars without me being there the entire time watching the process.

I have prevented wrong doing from minor details to catching major screw ups before they happen. On my last Marauder oil change, my regular guy was not there and the guy doing the work comes out with 7 bottles of oil. I asked what he expected to do with the 7th quart. I suggested he put away the extra quart...get the picture?
 
CRUZTAKER said:
...and I thought the tuners were the new and improved way of programming.:shake:

I'm glad I stuck with the now so called old shool chips, never happens to me.
Click to expand...
they are, and may be the only way from now on.

There's no problem, you just have to remember to return to stock program.
Most dealers wouldn't have reflashed just at an oil change though
 
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