another SRS/Airbag issue and a Dealership to the rescue

[Mr. iNCREDIBLE]

Posted this the other day on 300cforums, thought I would share the outcome:


Since I bought my 300C last April I have had ongoing issues with my airbags.

First off I'm am going to say this car NEVER should have made it past QA/QC at the plant, as when the cluster went thru the circuit board insertion process (this is when the LED's and circuits are punched onto the board) the Airbag LED was missed, the insertion computer flat out missed the punch and the solder.

Therefore the airbag self test failed EVERY time since this car came off the assembly line.

I bought the car second hand so no Lemon law for me..

now I bought in in April 2006 it is an early build 2005 (build date 04/04) the original owner/lessee was a bucket head, no TSB's were done and this car has a ton of issues the day I bought it, but it was under 3/36 so I had all the TSB's and other issues I could find fixed.

In July of last year, I hit the unlock button on my key fob and ALL the airbags popped.

I was told this was not even possible, as the drivers seatbelt needed to be buckled and the ignition needed to be in the RUN position. Every tech, advisor and service manager at the dealership where scratching their heads as to why this happened. After a short fight, it was agreed that DCX would REPLACE not repair the ENTIRE airbag system, ALL SENSORS, WIRE HARNESSES, AIR BAGS, etc.. This was to include the clock spring and the drivers seat belt buckle (which apparently had a short in the sensor).

my gauge cluster was replaced, my dash was replaced, all the interior panels that break away when the side curtains go off where replaced, and my headliner was replaced.

being the skeptic I am, I asked to see all the original parts and I went over the invoice and list of parts to verify they were replaced.

In September last year my stupid airbag light came on, 2 1/2 months after the "rebuild" I was told that the wire harness was too short going into the clock spring, this was a known issue on early builds with telescoping steering columns, I was also advised that the clock spring would be replaced again to be sure I don't have a repeat of my first incident.

all this work was done by a dealer that I trusted, but then that dealership went out of business, so my hunt for a new dealership ensued (I'm sure you all remember my ranting about that).

Well last week my airbag light came on again, I took it to Moothart (thanks to the recommendation of a member here, Moothart has become my primary dealership for repairs, good people and good service).

Just got a call:

clock spring is bad.

Also my HVAC blend doors are stuck, my A/C system is leaking and my cabin filter is dirty (I knew that, it's never been changed in 50K cause I can't find the damn things for under $40).

Moothart is fixing all of this under warranty (except the cabin filter), so no real out of pocket for me.

But damn, 3 clock springs in under a year. WTF


on a happier note, my loaner car is a 2007 Maggie R/T....



--------------------------

got the car back last night..

results:

"noisy Clockspring" (again)
"melted SRS harness" (again)
"damaged Telescoping Steering motor" (again, result of the melted harness)
"damaged connector and circuit membrane" (also result of the melted harness)


reason for occurrence listed as UNKNOWN, specific note on work order.

"Customer has extensive after market audio, video, and other electronic modifications, This damage CAN NOT be contributed to these aftermarket items, and THIS IS a defect and WILL BE covered under current 7/85 service contract AND WARRANTIED for an additional 25,000 miles after the end of the existing service contract by this dealership due to this being an ongoing problem for this customer."


My Service Advisor added an additional 25k warranty covered by the dealership because this is the 3rd time this has happened... and he specifically noted that my electronic modifications are not to blame... is that cool or what...

[PHANTZM]

Give me the loaner when your done ....

Glad you found a trustworthy (so far) dealer. Many have had issues , few of us seem happy with who we have.

GL with it when it's all done.

[bklynmag]

I would have crapped myself if I hit the key fob button and the airbags deployed. Thank God you or your kid weren't in the car when it happened.

[Super T]

"Customer has extensive after market audio, video, and other electronic modifications, This damage CAN NOT be contributed to these aftermarket items, and THIS IS a defect and WILL BE covered under current 7/85 service contract AND WARRANTIED for an additional 25,000 miles after the end of the existing service contract by this dealership due to this being an ongoing problem for this customer."

You better send those guys a card for the holidays!!! That's too cool... they certainly weren't required to put that on the ticket (and consequently in the permanent service record of the car). Hopefully you'll be done with all your problems now!!!!!!! By the way, while I know it's caused you a lot of headaches, I actually giggled out loud when I read again about the airbags going off. Just trying to imagine that sight and your reaction. I probably would have turned around and gone back inside and straight back to bed !

[bookeem]

why cant i find a dealer so nice, and fix things are broken...

[Spiffywerks]

Moothart taking good care of you I see. That's why I like em.

By the way... Umm... I kept forgetting to tell you, I saw Rick the other day and he said if I saw you that he got the approval to cover the 1-2 Shift fix under warranty and whatever else was going on, so to call him and schedule a time to come in.

[1fastsedan]

That kind of service warrants gift cards to the liquor store (that's what I gave my dealership guys for the holidays ). I'm happy to hear that you finally got everything straightened out now and for the future.

[MikeEast]

This is a first, I didn't think that logic allowed this....

dumbass_dealer_count = dumbass_dealer_count - 1

Maybe your dealer should go on a nationwide "how not to be a dumbass dealer tour" and raise the overall perception of dcx dealers from clueless clowns to competant caring place where folks actually have a 'good' experience getting their machines maintained..

Mike

[Mr. iNCREDIBLE]

Moothart taking good care of you I see. That's why I like em.

By the way... Umm... I kept forgetting to tell you, I saw Rick the other day and he said if I saw you that he got the approval to cover the 1-2 Shift fix under warranty and whatever else was going on, so to call him and schedule a time to come in.

I was just there, he told me he saw you but never mentioned the TCM flash, but I had it flashed at Spring Fling by JonW, so no worries...

[hawkxp]

Sorry for your pain... But that scene would of been fricking funny... I read it, and I could see your face with a "WTF" look that would be priceless....

Glag they are taking care of you... but jeeez...