Since i have been stranded here in Naples, I have gotten a lot of runaround from the only toyota dealership within 50 miles of where I am at. I towed my car to Germain Toyota at 9:00am Monday morning. By the end of the day I found out that all they could figure out why it wasn't starting was that there was a short in the ignition electrical system. They told me all they have to do is go section by section in the wire harness to figure out where the short is at. They told me that they would have to remove all of my aftermarket wiring (in which they will not put back) in order to fix the problem (I didn't tap anything to toyota wiring by the way). After checking on my car 5 minutes ago, they told me that they still haven't located it and that the guy needed a break from working on my car. I was at the service department when the guy took the break she was referring to which was at 11:30am today. Seeing that it is 2:30pm and they can't update me with any more progress since, I asked them if it isn't being attended to because of a manpower issue. I was told, "since it was an emergency tow-in, we have to make time for it when we can." They cannot even give me an estimate on how long this will be. I emphasized to the service advisor that I am stuck in Naples and missing work for this. She told me to go back to Orlando and to give her time to get it fixed. I was also told that if the problem was in the wiring harness that it was a toyota issue and not mine (financially). So far they have eliminated any of my aftermarket parts to be a factor in this. Now I am in a position to rent a car to go back to work until they have the ability/manpower to fix it.

Any advice or information that could help me here? If I were back home, I know David Maus Toyota could definitely handle this...especially since they have 40 lifts and about 50 mechanics working there daily.

 

Make sure that your aftermarket alarm, if you have one, isn't causing the problem. Then it wouldn't hurt to contact your local deealer and try to work something out to have them tow the vehicle from one dealership to another. Maybe you could split the cost, which would make them look very good in the scion communities eyes.

Otherwise I can tell you that Germain is notorious for not really being much help to us Scion owners. It's not the news you want to here, but its the truth. BTW how far is wesley Chapel from there ? They are a new dealership and really customer friendly ...

 

Wesley chapel is about 150 miles up the interstate from me.

 

i can give you a few names~

Not much scion help, but it may work...

A good friend of mine named Roger Roberts used to work there, and his boss's name was JOHN BURK!

If you tell him that I (brandy that used to work at courtesy and now at Wesley Chapel) said to HELP you out!

If not, get the vehicle to Fort Meyers Toyota, They may know whats going on!

Does it run or just not start?

can it be jump started?

ummm what else..????

Sorry! I can't be much help, but i will call tomorrow in the am to see whats what!

B

 

Thanks Brandy.... I went there to raise hell to them and as I got there they pulled my car around to me. They said I had a bad O2 sensor that was shorting out the ignition system. They didn't replace the sensor because I told them that I wasn't going to pay the $230 for the sensor when I know I could get a better price somewhere else. I'm so happy to finally be back home.

 

Joe - want me to drive down tomorrow and you can use my AAA plus to get it towed as far away from those a-holes as possible?

I'll PM you my cell number....

 

It's fine...I'm home now..... I just need to get a new O2 sensor for my s-pipe....

 

Glad to hear it - sorry I waited so many darn days to offer you help, I forgot I even had the damn membership until just now...

 

that was it? 02 sensor? and the wanted 230 for it.. damn i would just to auto zone and pick up one of those nifty bosch o2 and install it myself.. those probably run from 25 to 50 bucks?

 

I'm up for any breaks on price at this point...tired of staring at that CEL light. I may just remove the LED that lights it up lol.

 

A shorted ox sensor isn't a warranty item? Especially one that wreaked so much chaos? I could see where it might wear out, and not be covered, but that doesn't sound like the case here.

 

39k miles ftw

 

jay deezy i can get you that toyo spec ox sensor for 127 and change... i think i told you that... just give eric a call and tell him what ya need

 

Do you think i'd be able to find one in a junk yard? Also...is it something that is just plug and play...or does it have to be wired in?

 

if you find a tc in a junk yard you need to tell me...

 

Yo it should just plug in. Make sure the car is cold

 

thx

 

An O2 sensor is not part of the ignition system and WILL NOT cause your car to "not run".
It IS part of the Emissions/Powertrain management system that IS covered by FEDERALLY MANDATED warranty until 80K miles...
JEEZ...I don't know who these people are your dealing with, but get away...FAST!!

 

...AND....

It's my bet that they found/fixed the problem. Most likely a simple fix, but they want to charge you for "something" because the incompetent boob looking at your car took so long to find it....

My advise? Find a shop with an ASE master tech. Doesn't have to be a dealer. Get them to find the cause of your check engine light.
O2? So be it. Make Toyota/Scion fix it under warranty. Most things that'll cause a CEL will be covered under warranty, as long as it's not due to you removing the catalytic converter or something like that...