Long Pontiac of Chattanooga, TN - Pontiac dealership service department - trouble with car repair

Complaints.com received the following consumer message on July 19, 2002:

From:

RE: Long Pontiac of Chattanooga, TN - Pontiac dealership service department - trouble with car repair

As background information, I had a similar problem with Long Pontiac dealership service department in August 1997. I took my car in for an oil change. When the mechanic brought it out, I went in to pay the cashier. When I came back out my car was on fire. Cary McMillian, the service manager said they would fix my car, that it would be like it was when I drove it in there when they finished. They never acknowledged responsibility for the fire.

When I got my car back they had not repaired the electrical satisfactorily because nothing was working properly. When I went to Mr. McMillian and told him the problems I was having, he told me they had already put all the money they were going to put in my car, they couldn't make it new. Long Pontiac is the only pontiac dealership in this city.

I had bought another car from them in April 1997, 6months before my car caught on fire. Fortunately I have not had any problems with this car before now, because I didn't want to deal with them anymore for repairs. I don't trust them and the work they do. Now as to the present complaint: I received a recall notice in April or May of the year for the ignition in my car. I was to call the dealership in June to make an appointment for it to be taken care of. I went in the middle of June for the work to be done.

On Sunday, July 14, 2002, I was on my way to work and the lights on the dash cam on including the battery light. Everything in the car is the original equipment, so I didn't think anything of that because I thought it was time for the battery to go. When I got off from work, I attempted to get the battery charged so I could get the car to a garage to have a battery installed. The battery would not take a charge, I was told my alternator was gone. I didn't think much of that either.

This is a 1997 automobile, nothing has been replaced on it, normal wear and tear. I got a tow truck had my car taken to Sears for a battery and alternator (for the reason previously mentioned). When the mechanic finished with my car, the lights were still on on the dash, everytime it was cranked, something blew the fuses. In the process of trying to find what was causing the fuses to blow, the mechanic asked me who had put the sensor in my car? I told him it was a recall and Long had put it in.

Discovered the sensor was not connected and they had also left a loose wire in my car that was touching and causing the shortage. The mechanic at Sears stated this may have contributed to my alternator blowing out, and suggested I take the car back to the dealer. I took my car to Long, showed them the sensor that was not connected, and told them there was a short in the car that was blowing fuses. Mr. McMillian was called out there to see the problem, and he told me they would take care of it.

The mechanic that worked on my car told me he had found the loose wire he said he would have to pull all the wires to find out where it should go. He said he would disconnect the loose wire from the power and run an alternate wire, and connect the sensor up that was suppose to be connect to avoid a fire in the ignition system. Mr McMillian was aware of this. They did not charge me for the work they did to correct the problem, but when I asked Mr. McMillian about refunded me the $500.00 I had spent for towing, and replacement of the alternator and battery, he said he had did me a favor by fixing the car and not charging me.

That the sensor not being connected or the loose wire had nothing to do with the problem. I got a letter from the mechanic at Sears stating it was a 50% chance that the loose wire either directly or indirectly caused my alternator to blow. I believe I am entitle to a refund of the money I spent, because if the mechanic had did his job installing the sensor and not left a wire loose this would not have happened. I also feel Long should be responsible for their mechanics negligence. I appreciated any attention you show to this matter. Robbie L. Moore

Chattanooga, Tn 37411