Unnecessary repairs?

RV

MEMBER
2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU
140,000 MILES

Today I tried to start my car outside the mechanic's and it wouldn't start. The problem was quickly diagnosed as a faulty relay, which was popped in and I was on my way.

That sounds great, but the symptom (not starting) was exactly like the original symptom I had a week before. And they had just finished replacing the fuel pump, the ignition cylinder, and the ignition switch.

So, replacing three larger parts didn't solve the problem, but a cheap relay did.

My question is, is it possible that the other repairs were unnecessary? Most importantly, would it be possible for them to think the fuel pump was bad, but it was just the relay, or perhaps one of the other parts?

And, if they misdiagnosed my car and most of these "repairs" were unnecessary, am I supposed to pay for everything they did? It doesn't seem fair.

4 Replies

RV

MEMBER
3 POSTS
2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU
140,000 MILES

Problem solved.

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Monday, September 14th, 2020 AT 4:10 PM (Merged)

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Good evening,

I read your posts.

When it would not start the first time, did it crank but would not start?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Roy

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Monday, September 14th, 2020 AT 4:21 PM

RV

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I don't know why someone thought they should merge my older post into this post but the SOLVED post was a simpler part of this question that I managed to figure out. THIS problem has NOT been solved.

Yes, ASEMASTER6371, that's correct. That's also what happened before the relay was replaced. That link was helpful, thanks. It seems that the relay they replaced was probably the PCM power relay, and this is listed as a possible cause of the symptom, so from my perspective there seems to be a strong possibility that this was the problem from the start, and the other three parts were in fact not necessary.

Does this seem correct to anyone here?

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Tuesday, September 15th, 2020 AT 8:16 AM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

It is very possible but it would be hard to prove if you went back at them.

They will comeback to you with the car was fine for a week. They will state anything can happen in a weeks time.

The burden of proof would be on you to prove the other parts were not the issue.

I believe you are correct and most likely it was the issue all along.

Roy

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Tuesday, September 15th, 2020 AT 2:22 PM