1998 Isuzu Rodeo Question Should I listen to the dealership?

Tiny
VAIO19
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 ISUZU RODEO
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 45,000 MILES
After not using my Isuzu Rodeo for two years and leaving it outside in my parking lot, I decided this week to get it fixed because the engine doesn't start anymore. I sent my car to the dealership wanting to replace the fuel pump, because an expert two years ago told me that my fuel pump is why my engine won't start -- and nothing else. The dealership said they would charge me $357 for the fuel pump and $145 for the labor. I said, "Okay, " and that was it.

However, the next day they call me and tell me that my engine computer needs to be reprogrammed and all the fuel inside needs to be drained. I thought about this and asked a few people online about their thoughts on the matter. Some people said I didn't need to have my engine computer reprogrammed.

The dealership added that it would cost $210 in labor fees (without any parts, just labor) to reprogram the engine computer and drain the fuel in the tank and pipes. I said, "Okay, but that's all, right?" He assured me it was.

Then, today, he calls me and says the engine computer is REALLY bad (he emphasized REALLY) and I need to buy a new computer engine. The dealership said a new engine computer will cost me $400.00, but they found one that's five years old and costs $120. I recorded all our conversations as evidence just in case anything went wrong.

I feel like I'm being had. They keep piling up the prices. They have already charged me $210 for the labor of reprogramming the engine computer and draining the fuel, now they want me to buy a whole new engine computer.

What should I do?
Friday, May 30th, 2008 AT 3:16 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
First of all I will say the price for the pump and labor for hte pump replacement was reasonable. Bit high but resonable.

Secondly you do not need your engine programed AT ALL when the pump is changed.

That is a bit of fleecing going on there I would say.

And with the computer being bad, I really doubt there is anything wrong with it, after they do their work, take it in to another place and have them check the computer, I would stop seeing the place your are at as quick as possible.

What exactly did they say was wrong wiht the computer?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, May 30th, 2008 AT 3:38 PM
Tiny
VAIO19
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Nothing. Just said that it needed to be reprogrammed and now today replaced because it's "really bad." Could you please also tell me how much it costs to drain the oil from the tank and pipes?

I was wondering. Could you please call them and talk to them about my car and make sure everything is right? I'll give you their phone number and make another donation.

210-587-3042

1998 Isuzu Rodeo

Amelita Flanagin
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, May 30th, 2008 AT 3:44 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
They should have drained the gas tank when the fuel pump was replaced anyway. The PCM or comtuter should have been diagnosed as no good BEFORE they suggested a reflash. Unless the reflash would not take, and actually killed the computer. Can happen!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, May 31st, 2008 AT 3:33 AM
Tiny
VAIO19
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
So, I will tell them today that I will not pay the $210 in labor fees because they should have drained the tank anyway with the replacement of the fuel pump. And the reflash would not take and killed the computer, which resulted in me having to buy another engine computer. Those crooks!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, May 31st, 2008 AT 4:55 AM
Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,601 POSTS
As someone who has no great love for "dealerships" I would like to go on record as saying that the issues this "dealership" has are possibly from their own ignorance. The hiring of less expensive labor and paying them flat rate to maximize corporate profits and cashiering the rest (read experienced) of the technical workforce is what is destroying the reputation of our industry. And it is just getting worse.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, June 7th, 2008 AT 9:40 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links