QuestionI tried everthing you suggested before i posted this message. I called Honda and they told me to march into the dealership and demand a diagnostic test be run. The service manager said there is nothing to diagnose. "Unless there is a light on we will get no input from doing a diagnostic test". Is there a vacuum sensor on this car?
The closest Honda dealership is over 125 miles and I have less than 400 miles on my warranty.
I also had my car in for service becasue the doors would lock themselves. The dealershi thinks I'm nuts. The couldn't duplicate the problem sso told me nothing was wrong. I came home and found a link on the Progressive web site (Insurance) that has a TSB issued in January 2002 for doors that lock themselves. DUH!!!!! (I haven't told them about that one yet).
I am not totally happy with Honda. The TSB's are like classified information and when you call customer service if it isn't about finance you might as well foget it. (When I called before I actually spoke with someone in customer service and she had no idea of how to contact someone with technical knowledge.
The Progressive site had some info on many problems with sensors but nothing about a vacuum sensor. I am wondering if this car even has one. ANy idea how to get more detailed info on TSB's?
Sorry to bother you and thanks for al your help!!!
Karen Merrow
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Followup To
Question -
I have a 2002 Accord which ha a rather odd problem. About 2 hours after I get home and my car is placed in the garage the car willl begin to MOAN. This contiues for every 3-5 minutes. When I first noticed the noise I thought an animal was dying in our garage, eventually my husband found it to be the car. I have taken it in for service and was told his wife's car does the same thing and it is only a vacuum sensor bleeding off and not to be worried. I called Honda and was told to have htem do a diagnostic test but they say there is nothing to test. I am getting to hate this car. Can you help?
Answer -
Honestly...without hearing the sound, I cannot even pretend to know what is the cause. I can, however, help you deal with the service department.
1. The first thing I would do is call the dealership and very politely explain that you are ready to hear his wife's car. If he did not even witness your car's noise, then he has no idea what it sounds like. Otherwise, write Honda Customer Services and ask them to contact said dealership with instruction to properly diagnose your vehicle. One problem is that service advisors try to pick out the people who "think" there is a problem and send them on their way.
2. If you really want to make a statement, then, after being "dismissed" again, ask to use their telephone. Then proceed to CALL Honda Customer Services @ (800) 999-1009 (I'd memorize it for effect).
3. Go to another dealership and explain to them that "Dealership A" no longer has your business, and that Honda sent you.
You can use customer satisfaction cards as a method of reinforcement (both positive and negative).
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Honda Automobile Customer Service
1919 Torrance Boulevard
Mail Stop: 500 - 2N - 7D
Torrance, CA 90501-2746
Hope I helped,
B
Answer**From this point forward, you should document every single transaction (phone call, conversation, research) as if it played an important role in you getting your way. It is important that you make a point that your complaint was filed BEFORE the expiration of the factory warranty (a copy of the dealer's invoice will do nicely).
I am recognized ONLY by allexperts.com as an "expert", but unfortunately, a judge will not recognize this status. I am only giving advice**
This is the web address for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's TSB search engine.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/tsbsearch.cfm
As far as the service manager's words on diagnosing your car, he's right about the computer returning no results, but tell him to do it "the old fashioned way". The definition of diagnose is: to analyze the cause or nature of. Tell him to keep your car until he has finished "diagnosing" the problem.
Also: Everybody's got a boss. Ask him if you can speak to his boss. The owner's boss is you (...but you may have to contact the Better Business Bureau and file a complaint at that point).
p.s. I know that, after unlocking a car with the remote and not actually opening a door, the doors will re-lock themselves. It is a safety feature and may or may not be the source of the second problem. It is most likely the TSB though.
Good luck,
B
