I had codes on my 02 MCS. The dealer had his lead tech look at it and I was told that it needed an new ECU for $1600. I took the car to R Speed and they fixed it by changing out the bypass valve and replacing two sensors The car is fine now. If I had followed the dealer the new ECU would have fixed nothing and I would be back where I started but out $1600. The dealer would not warranty the ECU because "I have a pulley." There were cost that I paid to R Speed to fix the car. I think that these items should be warranty items regardless of pulley and the dealer owes me.....what do you think?

 

and it must be because of the thread.

1) A pully won't "break" and ECU. It's just a computer, and the pully may change sensor readings (like MAP and IAT), but those electrons won't do anything to a computer. Point this one out to them.

2) If you'd had just the diagnosis done by someone else, then you could have asked them to fix what was diagnosed under warrantee. But you had the work done, so you're in a bit of a spot. If you still have the old parts, and want to have some fun, put them back on, and take it to the dealer to have them put new ones on! You can always sell the parts here.

3) you should definitly write a letter of complaint to both the dealer and Mini (maybe make some calls first, to see if they'll apologize and offer some form of compensation). But they did a mis-daignosis (remember, this is the SAME ecu that the works cars run, just a different program. The works cars have pullies. You can have fun pointing that out as well.), and they had a BS warrantee position. (Ask them to show you how a pully can damage an ECU, I don't think they can. Maybe throw a code, but require replacement, pure BS.) Also, the fact that the problem was fixed by a couple of sensors and a by-pass valve (what was wrong with it, and what sensors were replaced?) really shows that they didn't do much diagnosis at all.

To sum up, I'd be pretty pissed, and have a long chat with the service manager.

Matt

 

Definatly report this to mini usa, see if you can get them to make it right and let them know the dealer that is ryiong to screw people.

 

Let me guess. . . . Global Imports in Atlanta?

They were not even competent to change the oil in my MINI.

Took mine there for its first oil change and they were unable to properly re-install an oil filter, broke the gasket, and left me with a mysterious slow oil leak that went unfixed until I took it to a competent local independent BMW mechanic in Birmingham.

 

YEP

 

If they're going to use your pulley as a global excuse to not honor your warrenty, and their service is crappy, I think the main question to ask them is why should you ever give them any future business of any kind?

 

I am calling the service writer tommorrow to schedule a meeting.

 

Read this before your meeting

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=32569

 

I think I'll go in with a copy and have the appr. section highlighted



Thanks

 

I'm glad to see you take time to have a little warranty responsibility chat with your friendly dealer rep. I'm sure they would be interested to know there are several hundred Mini owrers eavesdropping on their concerned response and reparation offer. I wonder how many ECUs they have sold customers to date? On paper only ofcorse.

 

Unfortunately the dealer owes you nothing because they did nothing. Once you take it upon yourself to have repairs done outside of Mini you are on your own. They will not reimburse you. Not saying this is right but just how it is.

 

I hate to be the spoiler in this discussion but, the list of mods you have done to the car would make any dealership raise an eyebrow at warranty work.

I have been told by the folks at Global that just installing a pulley won't void the warranty but if you start "tinkering" with the computer setup, you will be on your own.

As far as them "oweing" you anything, well, as one person said, "They did nothing so they owe you nothing".

Now if Golbal had installed an new ECU and that didn't work, then, you would have a leg to stand on.

Please remember, the dealerships employ people. therefore, they can/do make mistakes.

 

Yes, he'd be out $1600 dollars & be left standing on one leg indefinitely, oh well, people make mistakes, but at least they are not out 1600 + dollars!

Your both right, unfortunately. Spider just go home & kick the neighbors cat!When they have problems with "the all powerful", they can go home & kick their neighbors cat.

 

Your first indication that something was wrong was when the dealer said that there were "codes" that indicated that you needed a new ECU. CODES DO NOT INDICATE THAT A PART NEEDS TO BE REPLACED!!!!! Codes indicate that there is some signal that is different from what the computer expects. This MAY be due to a part being defective, or it may be due to something else making that part read differently. The code will direct the technician to a diagnostic procedure that must be followed to determine why the code was set and what must be repaired or replaced to correct the problem. Many technicians do not want to take the time, or do not have the skill and/or equipment to properly do the diagnostics, so they try to skip to the end of the chart and replace parts. One of the most common things is to replace one or more oxygen sensors because "you have an oxygen sensor code". This code means the computer is receiving a signal that is outside of the "normal parameters" from the oxygen sensor. This could be caused by a bad oxygen sensor, but it could also be caused by an engine that is running too rich or too lean, or by a catalytic converter that is going bad. If anyone tells you that a part needs replacing because a "code" tells them to, RUN, DO NOT WALK to the nearest exit and do not let them touch your car! They do not have a clue and, unless they are very lucky, they will probably not fix your problem.

 

SpiderX's ECU was not bad and the dealer never proved that there was an issue with the ECU. The code that was thrown was indicative of several potential issues, one of which was a problem with the sensor between the supercharger and the throttle. Several people on this Board mentioned that in the original post - unfortunately, the Dealer was too incompetent to check the probable cause of the code and instead threw the baby out with the bath.......

Trying to sell him a $1,600.00 ECU without even establishing it was malfunctioning is ridiculous and lazy. The whole reason the M-M act exists is to prevent the Dealer from blaming warranty issues on aftermarket parts without providing proof that the part in question caused the issue.

 

Thank you for the posts.

The dealer wanted $1600 and people like Randy Webb and Hector said that was rediculous. I gave them (R Spped) Carte Blanche to fix the car, they did. Getting a dealer to listen to the diagnoses of an independent shop is impossible. Think about the conversations that would have to transpire and the dealer admitting that maybe they could use some help when they are "certain" that they knew the cause.

I still have to get with the service writer to have a chat as to how much I throw them "under the bus."

 

I don't get it. If you replace the ECU and the problem is still not fixed won't they refund you the money back since it wasn't the problem.

 

Are you kidding me...... the dealer will claim that the ECU was bad for the diagnosed reasons and that other things are wrong as well. they wil insist that the ECU is only part of a very complex problem.

I don't mean to laugh but dealers don't back pedal very well......to much CYA going on

 

He is not making that up, and its not that uncommon either.

 

The written disclaimer where specific mods including pulleys, etc are discovered MINI can reserve the right to turn down warrantee repairs. This policy is locked up by corporate legal buggers, which us lowly worms are not going to turn around.

You beat the man this time and saved some cash. Sounds like you're mechanically literate. So keep the factory parts around and un-mod your car before you take it in to the preferably new as in other dealer. Get your warrantee work hassle free, take her home and mod away.

 

Yikes, I didn't read your extensive mod list. The Uni-chip will spook 'em everytime. Sounds like 4-6 hours to un-mod your machine. Better stick with the lads at R speed unless it's a way expensive part.


Good luck

 

Unless I blew the enging or tranny it would be cost prohibitive to remove and replace all the stock parts. If I blew them it would probably be my fault anyway and highly unlikely. The stock head and cam are back with Randy Webb as the core replacement.

My point is that the bypass valve and the sensors should be covered regardless.....kind of like rattles. I know I have eaten this......I just needed to vent.

 

"My point is that the bypass valve and the sensors should be covered regardless.....kind of like rattles. I know I have eaten this......I just needed to vent."

They would have been covered if the dealer replaced them. Why not just find another dealer for warranty work? I would not want that dealer working on my car. They have already proven their incompetence.