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Being ripped off by a Ford dealer for repairs - other options ?

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  • 25-11-2008 6:09pm
    #1
    BenjAii
    Closed Accounts Posts: 545 ✭✭✭


    If any boards people have advice on this would really appreciate it.

    My sisters car, a '99 Fiesta that was no trouble up to this point, gave up on her a few days. The first mechanic to see it, couldn't ascertain what was wrong. Having taken it to a Ford Dealer, they say they can't find what is wrong, and that it must be the cars computer, which they claim will have to be replaced at a cost 0f 1500 euro.

    She had been forewarned about this ford dealership who have a bit of a rep locally for overcharging.

    Just wondering if she has any other options.

    Other ford dealers, independent mechanics that know Ford cars, or should she just pay up ?


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    #2
    tallaghtoutlaws
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,067 ✭✭✭tallaghtoutlaws


    BenjAii wrote: »
    If any boards people have advice on this would really appreciate it.

    My sisters car, a '99 Fiesta that was no trouble up to this point, gave up on her a few days. The first mechanic to see it, couldn't ascertain what was wrong. Having taken it to a Ford Dealer, they say they can't find what is wrong, and that it must be the cars computer, which they claim will have to be replaced at a cost 0f 1500 euro.

    She had been forewarned about this ford dealership who have a bit of a rep locally for overcharging.

    Just wondering if she has any other options.

    Other ford dealers, independent mechanics that know Ford cars, or should she just pay up ?

    This would be better answered over in the Motors section probably ask a mod to move it there Id say.


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    #3
    BenjAii
    Closed Accounts Posts: 545 ✭✭✭BenjAii


    thanks, Mod - could this be moved ?


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    #4
    Oryx
    Subscribers Posts: 19,425 ✭✭✭✭Oryx


    Get a third opinion from another garage. Whether you go Ford dealer or independant is up to you. But if you can get a recommendation by word of mouth, thats usually a worthwhile route.


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    #5
    Darragh29
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,097 ✭✭✭Darragh29


    BenjAii wrote: »
    If any boards people have advice on this would really appreciate it.

    My sisters car, a '99 Fiesta that was no trouble up to this point, gave up on her a few days. The first mechanic to see it, couldn't ascertain what was wrong. Having taken it to a Ford Dealer, they say they can't find what is wrong, and that it must be the cars computer, which they claim will have to be replaced at a cost 0f 1500 euro.

    She had been forewarned about this ford dealership who have a bit of a rep locally for overcharging.

    Just wondering if she has any other options.

    Other ford dealers, independent mechanics that know Ford cars, or should she just pay up ?

    You should have posted this in motors. If you get it moved over there, post the problem/symptoms with the car and more details on it...


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    #6
    dudara
    Registered Users Posts: 33,518 ✭✭✭✭dudara


    Moved to Motors

    dudara


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    #7
    Darragh29
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,097 ✭✭✭Darragh29


    Yeah it sounds a bit bogey when you have quoted them as saying that they didn't know what the problem was so it therefore must be the ECU. This doesn't sound like best practice to me.

    What exactly is the problem with the car, will it just not start???


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    #8
    Mr.Diagnostic
    Registered Users Posts: 937 ✭✭✭Mr.Diagnostic


    If it needs an ECU, it is possible to fit a used one. I think you need a diagnostic specialist. Perhaps someone will recommend one close to you.

    BTW I don’t think you are being ripped off. Dealers fit new parts and charge high labour prices. That’s not a rip off, its simply expensive. If they charged you for something they didn’t do, that would be a rip off.


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    #9
    BenjAii
    Closed Accounts Posts: 545 ✭✭✭BenjAii


    Thanks for all the advice.

    I think my sis, is just going to scrap the car (which seems harsh for a 9 year old Fiesta) as she doesn't think it is probably not worth 1500 in the current climate.


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    #10
    mickdw
    Registered Users Posts: 23,367 ✭✭✭✭mickdw


    BenjAii wrote: »
    Thanks for all the advice.

    I think my sis, is just going to scrap the car (which seems harsh for a 9 year old Fiesta) as she doesn't think it is probably not worth 1500 in the current climate.

    I certainly wouldnt go spending big money on it but before scraping it, I would take it to someone who deals alot in ford. they might be able to sort it out. The main dealers have no interest in old stuff or working out a reasonable fix for someone.


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    #11
    bazz26
    Registered Users Posts: 51,245 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    Get a second opinion and another quote from an independant mechanic. Though even if an indo would do the job for say €500 you would seriously have to weigh up is it worth spending around a third of the value of car on repairing it.


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    #12
    Darragh29
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,097 ✭✭✭Darragh29


    Sounds to me like the dealer just blew out the job because they couldn't be arsed with it. They didn't say it was defo the ECU...


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    #13
    BenjAii
    Closed Accounts Posts: 545 ✭✭✭BenjAii


    No they didn't say it was def the ECU, more they didn't know what else it could be, so that was it.

    Before, I go googling, does anyone know a website or directory where I could research suitable mechanics ?


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    #14
    hellboy99
    Registered Users Posts: 6,219 ✭✭✭hellboy99


    Whats wrong with the car ?


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    #15
    x in the city
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,134 ✭✭✭x in the city


    Its a 99 fiesta, not a masserati...? go to a proper garage for god sake, any garage that cant diagnose and repair a fiesta should not be doing this business at all IMO.


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    #16
    reverandkenjami
    Closed Accounts Posts: 316 ✭✭reverandkenjami


    x in the city wrote: »
    go to a proper garage for god sake,[HTML][/HTML]

    So a Ford dealer is not a proper garage?? :confused:


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    #17
    VanhireBoys
    Closed Accounts Posts: 468 ✭✭VanhireBoys


    BenjAii wrote: »

    My sisters car, a '99 Fiesta that was no trouble up to this point, gave up on her a few days. The first mechanic to see it, couldn't ascertain what was wrong. Having taken it to a Ford Dealer, they say they can't find what is wrong, and that it must be the cars computer

    Saying the car "gave up" really narrows it down :rolleyes: No offence but

    What is the problem with the car itself...?

    Its a '99 Fiesta - it dosent go to the moon..! Get the name of a trusted mechanic - ask a taximan who he uses even...!

    If it dosent start it MUST be the computer BAAAAAAA


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    #18
    Mr.Diagnostic
    Registered Users Posts: 937 ✭✭✭Mr.Diagnostic


    Loads of useful help for the OP here…….


    OP, ECU failure on those is not unheard of. Back when I did all makes diagnostics I fitted quite a few used ECU’s for similar problems.
    That year fiesta will have its immobiliser and engine control unit in one. What can happen is the immobiliser part of the control unit fails. When this happens the diagnostic machine will not communicate with the control unit. This makes it difficult for most techs to diagnose the problem. For this reason I suggest you find a diagnostic specialist.
    Ask the ford dealer if it is a case that they cannot communicate with the ECU. If so, then the above scenario is likely.
    Also ask them if they can communicate with the PATS. If not, then the above is even more likely.
    Bear in mind this is just general info based on nothing more that experience as I have not seen the car.

    You could also ask the dealer would they code a used module for you. If so, get them to give you the part number and go source one from a breaker, either with or without keys.

    If you find someone to look at it ask them beforehand if they are able to code a used module. If not, then there is probably no point in letting them look at it.


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    #19
    ford jedi
    Registered Users Posts: 283 ✭✭ford jedi


    fiesta ecus gave very little problems ,the only fault thats causes the ecu to short out and die is when the coil pack shorts out and blows the ignition side of the ecu circut causing it to not start we have done a few of these but they are the only thing thats causes them to blow other than that they dont give trouble.
    we have the computers to read all the data even from blown ford ecus and we can repair most ford ecu,s i house if you need further help or a second opinion you can get me on 0876607766
    jonathan


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