I have taken my almost year old fiat in to the dealership over 4 times now as it squeaks when it starts from cold. i know the 500s start badly under temp anyway this I could live with but its a really loud squeak. To me it sounds like a belt. The parts fitters have came up with several excuses such as the can't hear it, it's the heater which they then replaced, its the gear linkages which they then replaced, its the water level which was full =S i'm fed up of being treated like a stereo typical blonde! I know engines but I bought a new car so I didn't have to worry about fidling with things or getting to work, now the parts fitter won't even look me in the eye! I've changed garages twice and really could use any advice on how to make this problem better. I need the squeak gone, I'm just coming up to my first service and i don't like any surrounding fiat dealership. How can I complain? Can I take my car to a warranty non-fiat garage to be serviced or will this effect the warranty?
General squeaky Fiat, where to complain?
- Thread starter katiemayj
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General squeaky Fiat, where to complain?
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For Fiat to hear the squeek it would probably have to be left in the night beforehand so that they can hear it on start up in the morning.
If you opt to get the car serviced in a non-Fiat garage it would have to be VAT registered and use Fiat parts (or the exact same spec in the case of oil) to keep the warranty in check.
Any warranty work has to be done by Fiat.
If you are unhappy with Fiat and their level of service I would speak with the service manager first and then to Fiat CS (Customer service). I would imagine that they would want the problem sorted just as much as you do.
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I have left it there over several nights after the first visit of them not hearing it i did record it but the parts fitters said it was pointless as he needs to hear where in the engine bay it was coming from. i think he got a bit annoyed that I was "trying to do his job" I've booked it in to a fiat garage a fair distance away but the gentleman there said he is familiar with the belt defect...odd!
A squeek on start up can often be traced to some moisture settling on a drive belt overnight and then causing slight slippage (thus squeeking) until the moisture disappears.
Which appears to be what you have concluded. Except the technicians can't seem to hear what you are suggesting!
Not saying this is the problem, but its the first place to start.
Bit off putting for poor old you.
Which appears to be what you have concluded. Except the technicians can't seem to hear what you are suggesting!
Not saying this is the problem, but its the first place to start.
Bit off putting for poor old you.
