Northern Auto Tech - ECU and Blue & Me Repairs

General Check engine light - fee charged for inspection

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General Check engine light - fee charged for inspection

CraigSkel

CraigSkel

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Mar 13, 2008
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Location
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Hi guys,

My wife recently spotted the 'check engine' light on her dashboard (11-plate fiat 500, lounge). She spoke to our nearest official Fiat dealer (SG Petch) who advised there would be a £70 fee simply to investigate why the light has been activated. This fee would be refunded if the issue is covered by warranty (we are currently in the 3rd year).

Do you know if this is their standard approach? Don't they simply plug it into a machine and it tells them what's up?! I wouldn't have thought they'd charge a fee for checking why the engine light has appeared... or am I being naive? Especially when I'm still in my 3 year warranty period.

Many thanks,
Craig
 
From what I have seen on the forums, yes, when you're in the 3rd year "dealer warranty" period with Fiat, the dealers will charge you for checking things and then refund it if it turns out to be a warranty issue, pretty poor IMHO opinion, never had that before with other marques but it does seem the norm with Fiat. (n)
 
Thanks guys. I've already had the work done as I didn't want to cause any damage to the car. This is what they found:

"Inspected and confirmed concern - diagnosed fault due to corroded earth lead - removed earth lead from gear box to chassis - cleaned earth lead and refit - cleared stored faults within system - carried out road test all ok"

All in all, my wife was charged a total of £78 (which is basically the diagnostic charge, according to the invoice).

I complained at the time that it doesn't sound like general wear and tear but the dealership advised I'd need to liaise with Fiat customer services.

Do you think I have a case?
 
Hey guys - Fiat have come back to me and it's not the news I wanted to hear. Here is what they said:

---
Following your recent request to our Customer Relations team, we have since liaised with the service department at your chosen authorised dealership S G Petch. They confirmed that they charged you £78 in order to fully investigate your reported concerns on the vehicle. As the vehicle is now in its 3rd year warranty period, the costs of any investigation time remains with the owner.

Regrettably, on this occasion we can confirm that our Customer Relations team will not be able to offer any goodwill contribution towards the cost of the diagnostics on your vehicle.

We would like to offer you our genuine apologies for any inconvenience you may have experienced through this situation as it was not our intention to disappoint our customer as we are committed to the utmost level of customer care.
---

Do you think I have anything to go back with? I'm not a happy bunny!
 
CraigSkel said:
Hey guys - Fiat have come back to me and it's not the news I wanted to hear. Here is what they said:

---
Following your recent request to our Customer Relations team, we have since liaised with the service department at your chosen authorised dealership S G Petch. They confirmed that they charged you £78 in order to fully investigate your reported concerns on the vehicle. As the vehicle is now in its 3rd year warranty period, the costs of any investigation time remains with the owner.

Regrettably, on this occasion we can confirm that our Customer Relations team will not be able to offer any goodwill contribution towards the cost of the diagnostics on your vehicle.

We would like to offer you our genuine apologies for any inconvenience you may have experienced through this situation as it was not our intention to disappoint our customer as we are committed to the utmost level of customer care.
---

Do you think I have anything to go back with? I'm not a happy bunny!
Click to expand...
no you should have never gone to the fiat dealer in the first place and used an independent.
 
ahmett said:
no you should have never gone to the fiat dealer in the first place and used an independent.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that. Unfortunately my time machine is out of action and warranty, so I need to deal with the issue at this moment in time.

I'd have thought going to the fiat dealer in the first instance was standard practice if the car was still under warranty!
 
CraigSkel said:
Thanks for that. Unfortunately my time machine is out of action and warranty, so I need to deal with the issue at this moment in time.

I'd have thought going to the fiat dealer in the first instance was standard practice if the car was still under warranty!
Click to expand...
even I fell for that trap during my services and I still regret it today. I would only ever use a fiat dealer if they replace a part under warranty for free, or buy a spare part I cant find anywhere else. If they dare charging me for anything I walk out. Now you know.
 
ahmett said:
even I fell for that trap during my services and I still regret it today. I would only ever use a fiat dealer if they replace a part under warranty for free, or buy a spare part I cant find anywhere else. If they dare charging me for anything I walk out. Now you know.
Click to expand...

Fair doos - I guess my question is more to do with the fact that they have obviously charged me for diagnostics but not for the work to resolve the fault (a corroded earth lead). If the fault is covered by the warranty, surely I should be reimbursed the diagnostic fee?
 
CraigSkel said:
Fair doos - I guess my question is more to do with the fact that they have obviously charged me for diagnostics but not for the work to resolve the fault (a corroded earth lead). If the fault is covered by the warranty, surely I should be reimbursed the diagnostic fee?
Click to expand...
Its best to assume that there is no 3rd year warranty for a Fiat. Its up to the dealer.
 
CraigSkel said:
Fair doos - I guess my question is more to do with the fact that they have obviously charged me for diagnostics but not for the work to resolve the fault (a corroded earth lead). If the fault is covered by the warranty, surely I should be reimbursed the diagnostic fee?
Click to expand...

Your not going to get anywhere wiring is conveniently not covered by the 3rd year dealer warranty.... From my grande punto experience.... but a broken suspension spring was (go figure :S )


Was it the gear box to chassis earth strap by any chance?

you got it fixed?

if not get the spanners out and see the 500 guides section i replaced my sisters a month or so ago and documented the job ;)
 
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just read upwards and yep this is going to become a common issue on the 500 me thinks.......


your probably lucky they just charged you the hours diagnostic rate to be fair

the earth cable takes about that long to change (at home) let alone find the fault... the OBD2 diagnostics can have you running round in circles chances are a independent wouldnt have found the fault at first and run about changing random parts low voltage issues such as a bad earth can for example Throw on the air bag light, cause the car to think it has a Map sensor or temperature sensor fault, which can in turn cause fueling issues for example... all for a £20 bit of wire.....


https://www.fiatforum.com/500-guide...lso-includes-battery-removal-upper-earth.html

My sisters issue was the car not been happy starting ;)
 
This unfortunately seems typical of Fiat UK's horiffically poor customer service tbh.

They're going to have to start to buck up their ideas, they wonder why they compare so poorly in customer satisfaction reviews (n) and a 2 year warrenty when a lot now give 5-7 years! (n)

OP did the dealer actually advise of the fault code stored :confused: I'd be interested to know what it was a typically I don't believe there is a 'poor earth connection' code per say.
 
Andy Monty said:
just read upwards and yep this is going to become a common issue on the 500 me thinks.......


your probably lucky they just charged you the hours diagnostic rate to be fair

the earth cable takes about that long to change (at home) let alone find the fault... the OBD2 diagnostics can have you running round in circles chances are a independent wouldnt have found the fault at first and run about changing random parts low voltage issues such as a bad earth can for example Throw on the air bag light, cause the car to think it has a Map sensor or temperature sensor fault, which can in turn cause fueling issues for example... all for a £20 bit of wire.....


https://www.fiatforum.com/500-guide...lso-includes-battery-removal-upper-earth.html

My sisters issue was the car not been happy starting ;)
Click to expand...

Thanks Andy that's really helpful. I've replied to customer relations and will let you know if I hear back. Unfortunately the only information I have about the fault is what is on the invoice (see above).
 
Most Easterly Pandas said:
This unfortunately seems typical of Fiat UK's horiffically poor customer service tbh.

They're going to have to start to buck up their ideas, they wonder why they compare so poorly in customer satisfaction reviews (n) and a 2 year warrenty when a lot now give 5-7 years! (n)

OP did the dealer actually advise of the fault code stored :confused: I'd be interested to know what it was a typically I don't believe there is a 'poor earth connection' code per say.
Click to expand...

I agree mate, I'm not impressed - never had this kind of issue with any other manufacturers / dealers.

The dealers have been contacting my wife recently as her PCP agreement is coming to an end shortly - they've pretty much guaranteed the fact that I won't be dealing with them again in the future.
 
CraigSkel said:
Thanks Andy that's really helpful. I've replied to customer relations and will let you know if I hear back. Unfortunately the only information I have about the fault is what is on the invoice (see above).
Click to expand...

If you have a dig about in the pile of bumph you probably got with the car im sure there is a warranty booklet "Fiat Passenger Vehicles Service & Warranty "

the website does seem to jazz it up

http://www.fiat.co.uk/fiat-500/warranties-maintenance

so you might be able to try a bit of leverage
 
CraigSkel said:
Thanks Andy that's really helpful. I've replied to customer relations and will let you know if I hear back. Unfortunately the only information I have about the fault is what is on the invoice (see above).
Click to expand...


Just been and grabbed the book out of my sisters 500. since i went to my car to get some stuff out.. ......

and low and behold.....

in the 3 year warranty exclusion...

IMGP0016.JPG


"batteries, wires, terminals, and reconnection of disturbed electrical connections"


Why fiat just couldnt say sorry its not covered check your service manual even attach a copy to their reply email is beyond me :/
 
Last edited:
Most Easterly Pandas said:
This unfortunately seems typical of Fiat UK's horiffically poor customer service tbh.

They're going to have to start to buck up their ideas, they wonder why they compare so poorly in customer satisfaction reviews (n) and a 2 year warrenty when a lot now give 5-7 years! (n)

OP did the dealer actually advise of the fault code stored :confused: I'd be interested to know what it was a typically I don't believe there is a 'poor earth connection' code per say.
Click to expand...

Too right MEP.

We all love our Fiats on here, but blimey - when you look at some of the headline offers from other companies (like Peugeot Just Add Fuel, Renault 4+ deal etc), Fiat's offering just pales into insignificance.

I know it isn't necessarily as simple as that as there are different exclusions etc, but it still looks pretty rubbish compared to the rest.

My own experience of Fiat CS is much like communication from Fiat; it just seems completely arbitrary. Take a look at this thread here, this is an example of Fiat CS going completely the other way with their service!:spin:
https://www.fiatforum.com/500l/336385-twin-air-mpg-10.html
 
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