2 hours for the dealership to test the charging system?

[themechanic]

I'm at the stealership with my 2023 Challeger T/A 392 for a battery and charging system test under factory warranty. They informed me it will take 2 hours for a test under warranty or a few minutes for a handheld test not covered by warranty. Autozone performed a test yesterday and said the battery has a full charge but needs to be replaced.

This sounds like a good way to bill 2 hours labor for a 2 minute job. Am I missing something?

 

[toolmanmike]

I'm at the stealership with my 2023 Challeger T/A 382 for a battery and charging system test under factory warranty. They informed me it will take 2 hours for a test under warranty or a few minutes for a handheld test not covered by warranty. Autozone performed a test yesterday and said the battery has a full charge but needs to be replaced.

This sounds like a good way to bill 2 hours labor for a 2 minute job. Am I missing something?

There is probably a authorized test procedure they have to follow for warranty repairs with a test results print out that is included with the repair order. The 5 min test is probably a hand held tester like the parts store uses. If you are looking to get warranty work done at no charge, you will need to go up front and grab a coffee and wait out the 2 hour procedure. I would make damn sure there will be no charge even if they don't find anything wrong.

 

[themechanic]

There is probably a authorized test procedure they have to follow for warranty repairs. The 5 min test is probably a hand held tester like the parts store uses. If you are looking to get warranty work done at no charge, you will need to go up front and grab a coffee and wait out the 2 hour procedure. I would make damn sure there will be no charge even if they don't find anything wrong.

No charge under warranty. They got me for $350 for a new factory FOB, since the previous owner lost the other one.

 

[eldubb440]

it's amazing how my 20+ year old junkers rarely need anything...... especially a trip to the dealer

 

[toolmanmike]

No charge under warranty. They got me for $350 for a new factory FOB, since the previous owner lost the other one.

I could see that. I remember talking to a dealer service manager about a high end battery tester when I was selling tools. He "had to" have one with a printer. Way too many techs replacing batteries that weren't bad.

 

[themechanic]

The car has less than 5000 miles on it. It has been parked at my daughter's garage most of the time over the last year since I've owned it without being on a battery maintainer, which I assumed they would either use or drive it more.

 

[toolmanmike]

The car has less than 5000 miles on it. It has been parked at my daughter's garage most of the time over the last year since I've owned it without being on a battery maintainer, which I assumed they would either use or drive it more.

Yep. New computerized vehicles need to be driven or charged regularly. Even though the draw is small, keeping computer memories alive and clocks working does drain the power. I would trickle charge it overnight at least once a month. More often if needed.

 

[WileE]

it's amazing how my 20+ year old junkers rarely need anything...... especially a trip to the dealer

Not too long ago, I had to replace speed sensors in my modern Challenger. So, I made a trip to the dealer Dodge parts department in my 46-year old Cordoba that runs like a top, to pick up the parts.

 

[Sedbld]

I work at a dealer and just so happened today checking a WL for steering issue but batteries totally dead. Got out the factory battery tester at 2:30 and it was still running the main battery test when I left at 5. Then the lawnmower battery has to done. Ridiculous to have to play by the warranty rules.

But I did work on ROs with the last 3 numbers are 413,340 and 426!!!!! MaMopar talking to me today

 

[Mopar Hunter]

Go test drive a POS EV Charger while you wait.

 

[eldubb440]

Go test drive a POS EV Charger while you wait.

a Charger that needs a charger......... hmmmmm

 

[themechanic]

I had the courtesy driver take me home. No way I was going to wait. The battery tested good but low on CCAs. The technician was unable to program either of 2 new FOBs before contacting Star center for help, who are located overseas in Saudi Arabia for some odd reason. So, I picked the car up a little after 5 this afternoon. No charge unless or until they have a FOB programmed and working. Which means another trip to the stealership.

 

[Mopar Hunter]

a Charger that needs a charger......... hmmmmm

I wouldn’t call a EV car a Charger.

 

[themechanic]

I wouldn’t call a EV car a Charger.

You can charge your phone with them.

 

[kiwigtx]

2023 Challeger T/A 382

Did you get a rebate for the missing ten cubes?

 

[toolmanmike]

it's amazing how my 20+ year old junkers rarely need anything...... especially a trip to the dealer

Speaking of which, my 06 pick up (dang, 19 years old) has a SES light on. I need to crawl under it and check out the Canister vent solenoid. I prpbably needs a new one. about $35 I hear. need to check the gas cap seal too.

 

[Hey-O]

No charge under warranty. They got me for $350 for a new factory FOB, since the previous owner lost the other one.

There's always a game afoot. Knowing two guys that own multiple dealerships, I've heard it all. People do things that they'll never admit to, just fix it for free. Lost FOB, that's not their problem. My brother had slicks on a 67 Dodge Dart, 273 4 barrel, 4 speed, new. Dumps the clutch at 5 grand, the car jumped forward and took out, a motor mount, transmission, screwed up a universal joint and the rear end in one big bang right in front of our house on a concrete street. He jacks it up, takes off the slicks and phones the dealer. They fix it, for free, how I'll never understand. On the way home he gets it to third and it locks up. They accidently forgot to fill the transmission. The mechanic got fired and the guy that started it all, my brother, gets another new transmission. Of course my brother was right, he's my brother.

Everything Mike said was spot on. If you let your car sit and the battery runs down, that's not the cars problem. If you want it fixed by them, play the game. My 2019 Durango just turned 22,000 miles on it. The battery is six years old and acts like new. Although it's low mileage, I take it out and on the highway and let it stretch its legs to keep its parts moving. I've always been told that it takes about 6 miles to bring a battery up from what it used just to start it. What would happen if you sat in a chair for a month and then jump up and started running, nothing, you'd fall over from the onset of atrophy till you got stretched out again. Get that battery for free and start driving it.

With all that being said, dealers will screw you. I've also listened to their stories on how to make money. When one of these guys died and his dealership was sold, the guy that bought it got busted for fraud. Free oil changes for as long as YOU own it. While changing the free oil, the free inspection starts and so did the up charges. You tell a helpless old lady she needs brakes, guess what happens. The fish can smell from both ends.... It's always about the money............

 

[themechanic]

I bought a battery charger for the Challenger. But I probably won't need it unless we have a long period of crappy weather, since the car's staying at my house from now on. The kids need the space in their garage for the granddaughter's car.