Date:         Mon, 2 Nov 1998 09:29:45 -0500
Reply-To:     Dan Moy <danmoy@CYNET.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Dan Moy <danmoy@CYNET.NET>
Subject:      Re: Problem with dealership service? Who to contact?
Comments: To: David Raistrick <keen@polaris.digital-galaxy.net>
Comments: cc: xi8940@freenet.tlh.fl.us, Type2 List <type2@type2.com>,
          Vintage Bus <vintagebus@type2.com>, Type3 List <type3@vwtype3.org>,
          VintagVW@listproc.sjsu.edu, VWDiesel
          <VWDIESEL@PAS-NT.PAS.ROCHESTER.EDU>,
          Aircooled VW FS <aircldvw@CC.OWU.EDU>, H2O-VW@listproc.sjsu.edu
In-Reply-To:  <Pine.BSI.4.05L.9810311230530.22238-100000@polaris.digital-galaxy.net>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

David,
I have had similar problems with a Holbert's dealership in Warrington PA.

I brough my 84 Vanagon in for a cold starting problem.  The idle would
oscillate, until it warmed up.  The service department said that it was
the ECU.  So I had them replace it (~ $400.00).  The next day I started
it and the problem was still present.

I brought the van back to the dealer, and they had it for another day, and
could not detect the problem.

I picked up the van the next day and again the problem presisted.  I went
back to the dealer, and they did not believe me.  The service manager
suggested I go for a test drive with the technician that worked on the
van.  I told him that the problem existed only when the van is cold, but
he insisted.  The problem did not show up because it was not cold.

I then had a discussion with the service manager and he told be that
anything could be wrong with a car that OLD and with then 184,000 MILES.
What a riduclous statement!

I demanded that I get my old ECU back with a complete refund.  They
refused to refund the labor portion of the job, but I got my old ECU
re-installed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It took me 1/2 hour to locate the problem.  The intake boot at the
throttle body was torn.  I replaced it ($40.00) and the problem was
solved!

I wrote a letter to the Owner of the dealership, and got no response.  My
only mistake is I should have cc'd VWoA.

Dan Moy
danmoy@cynet.net