View Full Version : Dealer replaced my tuned PCM...
josefaz
12-28-2006, 09:53 AM
I got a PCMforless tune last Oct for my TB. Great investment and defenitely enhanced the performance. Well, last month the check engine light came on. In my experience, check engine light is typically an indication an emission sensor not reading within specs so I decided to drive it that way for a month because of my hectic schedule. I did not notice any driveability change driving with engine light on. Even my 18-19 mpg (mixed city/highway) was the same.
Last weekend, I took it to the dealer to have it checked out. I did not tell them about the tune to avoid warranty issues. Anyway, before taking it there I made a quick troubleshooting to make sure it's not the PCM. So, installed my original PCM (factory specs) and started it up. The light was still on so that tells me it's defenitely any of the sensor could be bad so I put back the tuned PCM and went to the dealer. Two hours later I got a call telling me that my TB is ready. I went to the dealer and the service advicer said that the tech could not communicate with the PCM using the scanner so they replaced the PCM and that eleminated the check engine. That's great but what about my tune (of course I did not say that). So now I have two stock PCM. As I drive my TB home, I did not have to look under the hood to see that the tuned PCM is gone. The TB drives like it's being held back by an oversized trailer. Needless to say, big performance difference with the tune. Once you get the tune, you'll never go back. I might as well trade this in and get an SS. There's an idea...(that's how far it's gonna go tho, just an idea)
So I emailed alvin about my situation. He will retune my PCM and just charge me for shipping. Can't find any better customer service than that!!!:yes:
FDZ-Denali
12-28-2006, 10:27 AM
I now know who I am going to use for a tune!
Customer service means everything.
Request that the dealer return all replaced parts to you. They're yours.
AbuAbdulAziz
12-28-2006, 08:19 PM
I now know who I am going to use for a tune!
Customer service means everything.
Sure does, and with Alvin and Kelly, you made the right choice a 100% ;)
PCMFORLESS rules !! :yes:
2002SLT
12-28-2006, 08:21 PM
Request that the dealer return all replaced parts to you. They're yours.
Not when it's a warranty repair.
Envoy Fan
12-28-2006, 08:23 PM
Request that the dealer return all replaced parts to you. They're yours.
True, unless parts replaced under warranty. This was a repair on a 2006, so probably under warranty.
AlvinPCMforless
12-28-2006, 08:59 PM
Request that the dealer return all replaced parts to you. They're yours.
His is an 06, so it is probably still under warranty. On a warranty repair you must turn the parts back into the parts counter, so they are accounted for. Otherwise shady technicians would be swapping out perfectly good parts just so they could have them for their own use. Also the car manufacturers recall those parts to see that they are infact bad (and if they aren't, sometimes will charge back the dealer). Just FYI.
josefaz
12-29-2006, 08:47 AM
His is an 06, so it is probably still under warranty. On a warranty repair you must turn the parts back into the parts counter, so they are accounted for. Otherwise shady technicians would be swapping out perfectly good parts just so they could have them for their own use. Also the car manufacturers recall those parts to see that they are infact bad (and if they aren't, sometimes will charge back the dealer). Just FYI.
:iagree: I just hope they don't trace it back to me since the PCM PCMforless tuned for me has my full name (taped) on the back. That's how the PCM arrived from them. How I wish I removed the tape but then again I had no idea the dealer would replace it. It's probably gonna hunt me in the future when I have some big warrranty issue and GM will not honor it because of the custom tune that they will eventually find out or the dealer will just give me a lot hassle for any warranty repairs. (...me paranoid, who said that...). Oh well, I'm sure my TB will have no major issues (I'm thinking positive here!!!).
merenjay
12-29-2006, 09:04 AM
the check engine light came on.
so they replaced the PCM and that eleminated the check engine. So now I have two stock PCM.
See, this is something that would happen to ME!!!!!
My check engine light comes on every once in a while (Wait4Me tuned and I never got the case relearn) and throws the P0017 code. I'm leary to take it in as I do NOT want them touching the PCM.......I could get either PCM re-tuned if it came down to what happened to yours but I would still be in the same boat with getting the relearn done :crazy:. I'm glad yours all worked out tho!!!
Sparty
12-31-2006, 01:26 AM
See, this is something that would happen to ME!!!!!
My check engine light comes on every once in a while (Wait4Me tuned and I never got the case relearn) and throws the P0017 code. I'm leary to take it in as I do NOT want them touching the PCM.......I could get either PCM re-tuned if it came down to what happened to yours but I would still be in the same boat with getting the relearn done :crazy:. I'm glad yours all worked out tho!!!
Meren, looks like you might need a case relearn ---->http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dapc/echeck/docs/Diagnostic_Trouble_Codes.pdf
merenjay
12-31-2006, 06:10 AM
Meren, looks like you might need a case relearn ---->http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dapc/echeck/docs/Diagnostic_Trouble_Codes.pdf
Yah, I know, I know I'm just scared they'll re-flash the PCM.
I looked the code up when the check engine light first came on, saw that it wasn't a life or death problem and decided to bide my time........I'm bad :o.
I'm prolly gonna just take it to a mechanic and pay them to do it so I don't have to worry about the dealer f'ing it up :crazy:.
FattyTBEXT
12-31-2006, 07:55 AM
That's the opposite of me. I have 2 Wester's tuned PCMs. The one is still in the plastic that they shipped it back to me in. If the dealer ever wants to reflash the PCM that's on it, I won't have to hesitate at all and look suspicious. :D
Great customer service, though, Alvin. I'm sure that was more the purpose of this thread. :D
Yeah guys you are right about the parts ownership. Sorry!
Lothario
01-04-2007, 02:16 PM
Two hours later I got a call telling me that my TB is ready. I went to the dealer and the service advicer said that the tech could not communicate with the PCM using the scanner so they replaced the PCM and that eleminated the check engine.
So... since the scanner could not communicate with the PCM does that mean that they couldn't tell you exactly what the problem was? Do you know why the scanner couldn't communicate with the PCM?
juventus1983
01-04-2007, 02:43 PM
would this PCM problem happen with any pcm4L tune when the dealer looks at it?
AlvinPCMforless
01-04-2007, 03:42 PM
would this PCM problem happen with any pcm4L tune when the dealer looks at it?
Nope, More than likely a pin was laid over when the PCM was re-installed. But a PCMforless tune will look and act just like a stock computer, that includes scanning, writing etc.
josefaz
01-05-2007, 09:44 AM
So... since the scanner could not communicate with the PCM does that mean that they couldn't tell you exactly what the problem was? Do you know why the scanner couldn't communicate with the PCM?
That's correct. They said that sometimes that happens (scanner can not communicate) even tho everything in the TB is working just fine. I just took there word for it and no, I did not try to challenge there findings. So they did a case relearn after installing the brand new and shiny PCM.