Problems with Car at Dealer Need Help

[wc_alero]

OK so my car has been at the dealership since Monday morning because I needed a new alernator and wanted them to look at a couple other things. Well I bought a extended warranty when I bought my car which is supposed to cover a lot of things.

Here is everything the dealer found wrong with my car:
New alternator - which i knew about
New blower resister motor - which i knew about
New strut mounts - didnt know
New Steering Rack and Pinion - didnt know (they said it was leaking)

The insurance adjuster since it had reached a certain dollar threshold had to come out and approve everything before they would pay for it. They are denying everything besides the blower resister motor which is less than my $100 deductible. They said that because I adjusted my suspension by lowering it that is what caused the rack and pinion and strut mounts to need replaced. I dont know a whole lot about cars but isnt some of that BS. The guy at the dealership is fighting with them because he says that adjusting the suspension would not cause the rack and pinion to do that. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do? I basically just wanted to vent for a minute because they told me the parts alone on the rack will cost me $830 bucks.

At least they gave me a rental but I am tired of driving this damn cavalier even if it does only have 100 miles.

[Naich]

it is their obligation to prove that your mods caused the damage. If the dealership is on your side, threaten to take the insurance company to court and make them prove that lowering your car caused the damage. They can't, and they know it, so they will likely cave in.

[chiemsee95]

you can check out the SEMA organization website with all the legal working and all of that

[wc_alero]

Well its not the insurance company its the extended warranty company does that make a difference?

[Aleromaster]

well I just brought my car in under an extended warrenty to fix the intake manifold leak on monday and they also found out that my rack and pinion unit was leaking as well. I have an 02 with 52k. The rack and pinion unit only cost 287.54 acording to my invoice. (got the car back today). I have a feeling the rack and pinion will be the next big thing that everyone will be complaining about.

[niral622]

wc: do you have an aftermarket sound system (with an amp) in your car? if so, are they not going to replace the alternator either?

here's a link that may help you out:
http://www.granatellimotorsports.com/magnusonmoss.htm

just keep at them :thumbsup:

[wc_alero]

No the only thing I have is a pioneer head unit. I have no amp no speakers, not yet anyway lol.

[wc_alero]

OK I finally got my car back and they did absolutely nothing to it the whole week it was there. The extended warranty company still refuses to pay for it. I havent been able to talk to them myself because they wont return my messages.

So anyone have suggestions on what I should do next? I was thinking I would call a few more times and try to talk to someone else. I was also going to ask them to stop my warranty coverage (because its obvious they wont pay for anything anyways) and get a refund on the unused portion which is still 2.5 years and about 30,000 miles.

thanks for the help

[jordan]

I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and I curently have the extended custom plus warranty on my 2000 Alero. Factory warranty on the 2000 Alero was only 3 years. By the way phone General Motors help line and talk to them about what is covered with your extended warranty.

New alternator - Should be covered
New blower resister motor - Yes
New strut mounts - No, Not here in Canada either
New Steering Rack and Pinion - Definitely

Also another little tip that I learned when fixing my car. Always try to buy the parts from a parts store because they are usually cheaper, then give the parts to a repair shop to install. Always ask to have the old parts back the are being replaced.

What type of extended warrany do you have?

[blueyezalero]

I would keep calling them, don't wait for them to return your call. If you do happen to cancel your extended warrenty, depending on who you financed your car from maybe you can get a different one. I got an extended warrenty only because I do alot of driving but I got mine through my credit union not the dealership.

[wc_alero]

Well guys and gals here is the update. I just got through talking/softly yelling at the claims manager for the extended warranty company. They denied my claim not only because I had adjusted the suspension but mostly because I had rims (which the guy called bigger tires) on my car. He said that is what would cause the steering rack and pinion to go bad. I am not sure what he is smoking but since I put the rims on less than 2 weeks after I got my car he said they should refund the whole amount that I paid for the warranty which adds up to about 2500 I think, but it will take 30 - 45 days to go through. So I am going to go ahead and get my car fixed and wait for me check :).

[Sundayalero]

/\/\/\/\/\/\ Remember to document each time you talked to them, and what was said.... Just in case.