So the other day my 04 xfire fell victim to the typical crankshaft sensor failing. I had the car taken into Westborn Chrysler (where i get all my work done) and they want to charge me the $90 diagnostic fee + my $100 deductible. My question is shouldn't this fee be covered under the warranty (sense the repair is a warranty case, I have the added care plus plan) or am i just being naive? What's the consensus, should i argue it or just pony up the dollars.

 

The diagnostic fee would be confirming the reason you brought the car to them since they do not believe the owner, I guess everytime we bring our cars in for service we must present the findings we've found on this site as proof something is wrong with our cars. Its all about the fees, every business has instituted a fee schedule, pure profit! I would dispute the charge......
Dennis

 

The diagnostic fee is COVERED under your deductible. You should never have to pay more than $100 (deductible) for a covered repair. This not for parts only. It is for parts AND labor.

 

How many miles on it? Factory has to warranty all emissions components for 6 years 60,000 miles. I would argue It is not running correctly so this is one of those parts.

 

See thats what i thought as well. I figured that the fee was for those that bring their vehicles in for every little hiccup that turns out to be nothing, but this is a bona fide well known issue. I have 46k on it right now with a 8/80 "added care plus". I still feel like its going to be a long winded fight at the counter

 

I just read what's covered with the "Added Care Plus" here:

http://www.chrysler.com/en/service_c...les/index.html

• Core Plugs
• Cylinder Block and all Internal Parts
• Cylinder Head Assemblies
• Flywheel and Starter Ring Gear
• Fuel Injection Pump (Diesel engines only)
• Fuel Injectors (excluding clogged injectors)
• Harmonic Balancer
• Intake and Exhaust Manifolds
• Oil Pan
• Oil Pump
• Seals and Gaskets for Listed Components
• Serpentine Belt Tensioner
• Supercharger
• Timing Case, Chain, Gears, Belt and Sprockets
• Turbocharger Housing and all Internal Parts
• Turbocharger Waste Gate Actuator
• Valve Covers
• Water Pump and Housing

And:

• All Wiring Harnesses
• Body Computer
• Body Control Module
• Coil Pack Assembly
• Distributor
• Electronic Fuel Injection System (Excluding Clogged Injectors)
• Engine Control Module
• Factory Installed Radios and Speakers (Includes CD and Tape players)
• Generator / Alternator
• Horn and Horn Pad
• Ignition Coil
• Manually Operated Electrical Switches
• Oil Pressure Sending Unit / Switch
• Park Neutral Position Switch
• Powertrain Control Module
• Rear Window Wiper Motor
• Single Module Engine Controller (SMEC)
• Starter Motor and Solenoid
• Temperature Sending Unit / Switch
• Transmission Control Module
• Voltage Regulator
• Windshield Wiper Motor
• Wiper Control Module

And how it's covered with a $100 deductible.

$100 Deductible

You pay only the first $100 of the total cost of covered component repairs performed during each visit. Added Care Plus pays the rest! Other deductibles may be available. Ask a trained specialist at 1-800-442-2666 for details.

There should be no arguing. Period.

 

update: I just got off the phone with Chrysler's Warranty department. Told the guy my story and he seemed as confused as i was. So he puts me on hold and calls the dealership. 5 - 10 minutes later he comes back and says this is what happened. The sensor was faulty (duh...we already knew this as did the mechanic because I told him so) but he had to check some wiring harness and that turned out to be ok so because it is fine they would have to charge me the fee. At this point im steaming (did I mention i'm in Anchorage for work so im already 4 hours behind nothing like getting up at 5am to talk with a mechanic who is in 9am time). I ask the rep on the phone straight up, wiring harnesses are covered under my plan, I had a real issue, warranty work is being done...why am I being forced to pay this fee. His answer "because the harness was ok. it was not broken, they can charge you the fee". So i ask then, "so every time i bring the vehicle in they will probably go ahead and "test" something that is fine just to get the fee out of me." no answer for a good 30 seconds. He than tells me to mail the bill into their corporate office and they will review the case. Long story short. Im out of town, car is in the shop, and I'm being billed $190 for a $150 part that is covered under a warranty with a $100 deductible.

 

they guy above got it right. forget your Care Plus, this is covered under the emmssions warrenty and should not cost a penny.

 

but the sensor is no longer the issue. the issue is that they "diagnosed" a part that was not broken/faulty ergo they claim they can now charge me the fee (which the way it is worded is that if the part tested turns out not to be faulty the dealership has the right to charge a fee for the service rendered). this is the issue that i am having. This is my first time dealing with a Chrysler warranty case. I usually drive GM's and i have never had a run around like this from the local chevy dealer.

 

This sensor is a common problem and is usually the first engine problem anyone with MB or Crossfire M112 or M113 engine experiences. Anyone who works on these cars knows that. to charge you to check the wirring is just an attempt to screw you. they obviously have read the warrantly and found the loophole to bring in new revenue. Did you telll them to check the wirring? Did you athorize them to do so? I replaced this part on my ML320 for $40 by getting the part at the parts store and putting it in myself. If is super easy! disconnect the plug, remove two screws and pop in the new one. you should post the name and number of this dealer. I am ready to call them and ask them about their policies.

 

Good point. No authorization, no pay.

 

One more point. Diagnosing is part of almost any repair. Are they really charging extra to diagnose problems and claiiming that is not part of your warrenty repair? These guys are crooks!

 

Well i just picked up the xfire... after arguing on the phone with the service writer and in person with the service manager with zero signs of dropping (or even reducing) the fee I got fed up and just paid the blasted fee... needless to say they just lost my future service and hopefully my neighbors as well, live and learn...

for those of you that are curious lets add:
Westborn Chrysler Jeep in Dearborn, MI to the list of crapperships

 

Seems like the warranty is completly worthless for this repair. Retail at a parts store the sensor is about $50 and takes not more than 30 mintues to install which includes scanning the stored codes. At that rate they were making $200 per hour labor and 200-300% mark up over their cost on the part. If they make a claim on the warrenty they have even done better. You might have been able to get it done cheaper by an independent MB service guy for less than the what you paid under warranty.

 

I just emailed this dealer and told them what I thought about the fee! I would suggest everone do the same, let them know what you think!!!

 

I just contacted WESTBORN CHRYSLER about the dealer that charged the diagnostic fee on top of the deductable,a D******D emailed me about fixing my own car, said I should go to school for 4 years and learn how to repair my own car??? His name is JEFF ROEKLE , send him an email on what you think about his DIAGNOSTIC FEES!!! We have all been rip offed by WALL STREET and can't do a thing about it!! WE can stop this!!!!

 

Use this!!!


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Email link not working for me.

 

Didn't work for me either.

 

I actually called them and asked them about it. They don't care about extended warranties. They said they make everyone sign for a $91 "check out fee" which is not covered by the warranty or deductable. I'll bet when the salesman sold you the warranty he said you would never be out more than $100 for a repair.

I also called my local dealer and while they also have the diagnostic fee of $90 they apply it to the repair so you still only pay the deductable. He told me no chrysler dealer would make you pay that fee and the deductable and I told him Westborn Chrysler does and it is cuasing an internet storm. He said someone needs to contact Chyrsler about this and felt that charging on top of the deductable was dishonest if not ilegal.

Here is place to get even with them:

http://www.dealerrater.com/