I took my 92 SE max into aamco, two months ago, to find out about a bug that had the tranny downshifting when it shouldn't. They called sometimes to update me, though there was no progress... (the LAST CALL before this one was them saying they thought it was an alternator and would check it out)
Then they call me this morning to say it is my ECU, which is faulty and they have already installed a new one in my car and it will be 850$, 760$ for the new ECU and for labor.
I'm like WHAT!?!?i didnt want this? I'm not paying nearly a thousand dollars for a new ECU on a car that is barely worth that much.
When I brought it in, I suggested it was the ECU, I considered buying a spare one for 20-40 dollars from another member...
I told them, they had been so persistant with the problem, I'd even be willing to pay the labor for the work I had NEVER been informed of, and they could put this ECU in, not a new one.
They say "no- we cant use customer parts" then they tell me that they have to reprogram the ECU to work with the car... they have to "program the VIN number into it"... ??? What? They were pissed at me: Wouldnt take no for an answer and then said they'd have the mechanic call me.
My question - Am I in the wrong here? Or are they?
Tom

 

They are, First off they installed a part in your car you did not authorize, all you did was suggest that it could be the ECU. For them to tell you no we can't use customer parts is probably due to liability on their end. Some companies will use customers parts but most will tell you they are not responsible for what happens. They should have called you and informed you of what they found out to be the problem, their recommended course of action to correct it, and then you would make the decision to have them do the work, or take it somewhere else or if you had a spare part, use that with notion of their release of liability. You have a case against them in court. Do you have the car back from them yet? If not refuse the work that they did, I personally would probably pay for the labor or diagnosis, and then take your car elsewhere. Since you now know what the problem is you can get the part and have someone else install it. Maybe an org member near you can help out or take it to a Nissan specialist or electrician. Hope this helps and keep us informed of the outcome.

 

They are in the wrong.

1) They can choose not to install your parts. Their insurance may not cover customer supplied parts.
2) You did not authorize the repairs they did therefore you should not be held for the cots.
3) They are lying about "programming" the ECU. You put it in and that's that.
4) Get your car towed to your home. Buy a new ECU from an org member. Install it yourself and be on your way.

 

for what THT said

 

thanks guys, thats what i thought.... this will help me stand my ground while they are try to guilt me out of my money.
t

 

And if they continue to d!ck you around, threaten to report them to the Better Business Bureau or whatever is in your state.

 

its the better business bureau here as well

well i didn't get a good end to this issue. i called back 3 times, got "accidently hung up on" twice only - then on the third try managed to talk to the mechanic - in order to be free from the manager's nonsense. He said it wasn't the ECU after all... and they are looking at the MAF now. i said "please dont, i've tried that before and i will pick up the car now" he said "okey"
i'm going to pick it up, we'll see if they try to pin a little receipt of some kind on this turd of a service. two months now it has sat in that garage.
tom