Replaced DME now this...

Cisc0 · #1 10-01-2012, 01:06 PM

So a while back I was having electrical gremlins with my aircon and it happened to be a screw went through the wire harness in the center console causing shortages. Went through two a/c control units and an aux fax. During this electrical shenanigans the several outputs on the DME shorted out. The indie that did the repair suggested I replaced the DME which we did with a used unit that was eventually coded to my vehicle. For the first week after the repair everything worked wonderfully with the a/c and still does but I got a SES light and been chasing what the culprit is. See my X5 does not come with a secondary MAF unit and the SES light is for that. I replaced every vaccum hose, the valve, shit even the tried the secondary air pump and nothing. SES light is still there. Well I took the vehicle to a different indie to scan the code with a GT1 and it came back as Secondary MAF sensor again, but this time we did more investigation and it looks like the DME that was used as a replacement was not properly coded. The DME used is from a 2005 X5 therefore is searching for this Secondary MAF that my year did not have.

My question is: Is the indie that did the RR on the DME liable for this f*ck up without they charging me?

I know the answer is yes, but this fool wants to charge me $200 to update the software on the vehicle because he claims is a software issue. Isn't this a simple coding fix?

TwinsPoppa · #2 10-01-2012, 01:38 PM

Well, it depends on the actual issue.

If the actual incorrect DME was installed and supplied by him, then he needs to correct the situation at no cost. No matter if its a hardware or software fix. If he is now saying its coded wrong and can be re-coded, then why should you have to pay for something he should have got correct in the first place?

If you supplied the hardware and he provided coding, then it depends. If it will only work correctly by supplying the correct hardware then its on you. If its a matter of simple coding, which you're intimating, then maybe you can try and make the case that he should have known to code it properly. However, if you didn't point out that it was the incorrect DME in the first place then that's kinda on you. So ...

Bottom line if he can get it to work, even though its the incorrect DME, with just software changes - let him do it. As far as how much to pay, you will have to negotiate it with him depending on who's actually at fault here. Might have to go 50/50.

Who's idea was the used DME, who actually supplied it and who installed it?

Cisc0 · #3 10-01-2012, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

Well, it depends on the actual issue.

If the actual incorrect DME was installed and supplied by him, then he needs to correct the situation at no cost. No matter if its a hardware or software fix. If he is now saying its coded wrong and can be re-coded, then why should you have to pay for something he should have got correct in the first place?

If you supplied the hardware and he provided coding, then it depends. If it will only work correctly by supplying the correct hardware then its on you. If its a matter of simple coding, which you're intimating, then maybe you can try and make the case that he should have known to code it properly. However, if you didn't point out that it was the incorrect DME in the first place then that's kinda on you. So ...

Bottom line if he can get it to work, even though its the incorrect DME, with just software changes - let him do it. As far as how much to pay, you will have to negotiate it with him depending on who's actually at fault here. Might have to go 50/50.

Who's idea was the used DME, who actually supplied it and who installed it?

His idea to replaced the DME due to the old one being faulty and he actually sourced the used one and sourced the person to code the DME.

TwinsPoppa · #4 10-01-2012, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cisc0

His idea to replaced the DME due to the old one being faulty and he actually sourced the used one and sourced the person to code the DME.

Then its all on him. How can he say its not his fault if he did all the coordination under his guidance.

Its like when I ask my mechanic to fix something. He sometimes has to buy parts from a BMW dealer, have a tire shop balance/mount tires, etc. to do repairs. He depends on others but its all under his responsibility. If the tire guys screw up he doesn't come to me and say "well, I didn't actually screwup, the tire guys did, so you have to pay extra". He'll go to the tire guys and resolve it between them - nothing to do with me.

AND you have another thing on him - he got the wrong DME in the first place. So anything related to something being wrong is all on him as if he had the correct DME it wouldn't be coded incorrectly in the first place. LOL!

Cisc0 · #5 10-01-2012, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

Then its all on him. How can he say its not his fault if he did all the coordination under his guidance.

Its like when I ask my mechanic to fix something. He sometimes has to buy parts from a BMW dealer, have a tire shop balance/mount tires, etc. to do repairs. He depends on others but its all under his responsibility. If the tire guys screw up he doesn't come to me and say "well, I didn't actually screwup, the tire guys did, so you have to pay extra". He'll go to the tire guys and resolve it between them - nothing to do with me.

I agree with you...

Jose I've been dealing with this SES since Bimmerfest. Remember you actually scanned my vehicle and it told us it was the secondary MAF.

TwinsPoppa · #6 10-01-2012, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cisc0

I agree with you...

Jose I've been dealing with this SES since Bimmerfest. Remember you actually scanned my vehicle and it told us it was the secondary MAF.

Yeah, I remember. So, the DME was already replaced at that time or no?

I just hope this guy knows what he's doing. What're you gonna do if the coding doesn't work?! That's gonna suck hard.

Is he the same one who diagnosed a bad DME as the source of your problem? I hope so. If not, two different guys might point fingers at each other and you're gonna have a hell of a time.

Yeah, just tell him:

1) HE knew the problem.
2) HE suggested the fix.
3) HE sourced the INCORRECT part.
4) HE got someone to code it - incorrectly according to HIM.

Where is the part that says YOU were involved at all?! LOL!

EDIT: BTW .. I would offer to code it for you but I have no idea what I would be doing. He might be talking about using non-GT1 software anyways that can do custom programming - like rolling windows up with the key fob, etc.

TwinTurboGTR · #7 10-01-2012, 03:42 PM

I agree, go back to Guy A. Forget guy B, he just diag'd a problem that was already there. Nothing on him, Go back to guy A and say what Jose said. I mean he found the part, coded and it is still not right? WHat is he a BMW dealership??? OK, low blow, they normally get stuff right. In any case, if he doesn't agree to fix it, just calmly say ti would be a shame if I contacted the BBB, Yelp, Yahoo reviews, all over the web.... just because you don't want to fix a mistake. Now BBB does nothing, but reviews help... And if all else fails, just mention an attorney to him. But be upfront, tell him you have all the time in the world to take him to court, waist his time, take him away from his business, his attorney fees... etc. You will be surprised how fast they will change a tune. Most important, don't threaten to do these things. If he asks if you are threatening him, you just tell him no. It just my opinion of you if I right reviews. Its open mic and I can tell the truth. As far as taking it to an attorney, that is my choice. "Am I going to be spending more money then what you are going to charge me? Yes! But that also means loss of revenue and time from you. So if I can take money out of your pocket and time out of your day, then it is worth it for me." Then see what happens. If he laughs, go back to his place and 3AM and just throw some SEMTEX in there. He won't be doing BS repairs anymore. lol

TwinsPoppa · #8 10-01-2012, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwinTurboGTR

I agree, go back to Guy A. Forget guy B, he just diag'd a problem that was already there. Nothing on him, Go back to guy A and say what Jose said. I mean he found the part, coded and it is still not right? WHat is he a BMW dealership??? OK, low blow, they normally get stuff right. In any case, if he doesn't agree to fix it, just calmly say ti would be a shame if I contacted the BBB, Yelp, Yahoo reviews, all over the web.... just because you don't want to fix a mistake. Now BBB does nothing, but reviews help... And if all else fails, just mention an attorney to him. But be upfront, tell him you have all the time in the world to take him to court, waist his time, take him away from his business, his attorney fees... etc. You will be surprised how fast they will change a tune. Most important, don't threaten to do these things. If he asks if you are threatening him, you just tell him no. It just my opinion of you if I right reviews. Its open mic and I can tell the truth. As far as taking it to an attorney, that is my choice. "Am I going to be spending more money then what you are going to charge me? Yes! But that also means loss of revenue and time from you. So if I can take money out of your pocket and time out of your day, then it is worth it for me." Then see what happens. If he laughs, go back to his place and 3AM and just throw some SEMTEX in there. He won't be doing BS repairs anymore. lol

Hold on there. Let's not assume the worst.

He did clarify that it was NOT Guy A asking for more money - it was Guy B. I think Cisco got a little frustrated at the suggestion of Guy B to throw money his way - when he doesn't really need to.

Boy, I'd hate to get on your bad side TTGTR!

Cisc0 · #9 10-10-2012, 09:11 AM

So I bring the vehicle back to Guy A (original person who worked/replaced the DME) on Saturday. Upon bringing the vehicle back, the SES light was on only with the codes: P1419 (secondary maf sensor) & P1720 (Canbus communication problem), no other codes. Call him on Monday and he tells me the DME needs re-coding. I'm thinking "Obviously dumbass that's why we're here". So he does all the re-coding and calls me back on Tuesday. Tells me the re-coding went well, he drove the car for 40 miles

(yes that was my same reaction) and that while driving it for 40 fuvking miles the SES came back on and its now giving codes: P0171 & P0174 (lean mixtures both banks). So I ask him was it necessary to drive 40 fuvking miles. He says he needed to make sure coding was successful. So he proceeds to tell me that he smoked the car free of charge and that I now have a vacuum leak and need replacement of the CCV with all hoses and I need replacement of the Intake Manifold Runner Valve (aka DISA). I said hell to the fuvk no, Please park my vehicle outside your lot, leave the keys inside and I will pick it up once I get out of work. I went last night to get the vehicle and drove back home fine.

I had replaced the DISA valve back in March so I know for a fact that this could not have gone wrong already, and if it did I can replace the shit myself again. Also, he wanted $486 to replace my CCV. No thanks, I ordered a complete CCV kit from ECS for $99.95.

SlickGT1 · #10 10-10-2012, 11:11 AM

Damn. You have a shady ass mechanic. He didn't get money from you for the re-code, so he wanted to charge you for something. You do realize that next time you go there, he will mark up his prices on whatever he does to recoup the lost revenue for the second re-code. Find a new mech. Let me know if you want to come out to Brooklyn. Maybe give my guys a shot.