Hyundai integrity in question; check engine light and codes

I just had my rear o2 sensor changed at the Hyundai dealership. I was
charged $284.86 for the job. $85.00 for checking the codes, (which was
later removed because I got the repairs done there), $143.03 for the
part, $127.50 for labor, $6.38 for shop disposal fee, $7.15 for tax.
The job took a total of 55 minutes.

I work at a tech school and auto is one of the trades I oversee. My
auto instructor took the five minutes to check the codes and came up
with the o2 sensor, but there was another code that was "unreadable"
that said, "manufacturer's code." I went to Jiffy Lube, the same
thing, the manager came out to my car and spent about 3 minutes
checking the codes and got "02 sensor" and some other unreadable
code. I then took it to Auto Zone, and the same thing happened
there. All three told me I'd have to go to the manufacturer to read
the "unreadable" code. While at Auto Zone I got a price for the part
($79.00).

When I called Hyundai I was shocked to hear a price of $85.00 to read
the codes and when I spoke to the service writer and said, "I can get
it free from other places" he told me in a sarcastic voice, "Go
there." But, I was concerned about the "unreadable code" so I called
back and went to Hyundai anyway.

Apparently, in this case, the "unreadable code" was just some message
from Hyundai that didn't indicate anything wrong.

I sat down and realized that I have spent close to $2,000 in
maintenance on this car in the past year: timing belt, transmission
flush, o2 sensor, fuel injector work, radiator flush, air filters, oil
changes, etc., tune-up, etc.

I suspect the "unreadable code" is some sort of ploy that frightens
owners to get the repairs done at the dealership. I could have
conceivable paid only the price of $79.00 for the part and got this
job done at my tech school. (I feel like I've just been price gouged
by Hyundai). I don't like paying for special SP111 oil for
transmission stuff, and now, the next time my check engine light come
on I'll be curious to see if there is a mysterious "unreadable code"
that forces me to go to the dealership. If so, this will be my last
Hundai. (I've had two and was contemplating buying a third).

Can anyone please tell me if this is a manufacturer's ploy to drive
customer's to the dealer? I'm upset. I'll find another car that
doesn't have secret codes, or special parts that can only be obtained
from the dealer.

 

I've had 4 hyundais and never seen a "unreadable code". I have my own code
reader and do my own. Did you have the codes cleared to see if it would
come back? Yes, you should have put the sensor in and cleared the code and
then see what happened. I thought everyone knows to only get work done at
the dealer that you cant get done anywhere else.

 

Hi glass,

What model and vintage is your car

 

How True. Took my car (2001 Elantra) into the dealer Wednesday to get a
recall notice on
the Airbag harness rectified, this entailed putting a cover on the airbag
module, located under center caddy between the driver/passenger seats,
and putting new connectors on the airbag harness located under the seats.

After driving home, I did a check of the electrical system, all seemed to
be in order except for the left hand tail lamp which did not light up.
This is a dual filament bulb, the brake light uses one of the filaments,
this worked OK for the brakes. Installed a new bulb, same symptoms, checked
the fuses, they were all OK, did a continuity check on the tail lamp
assembly, shows good continuity, so what now?

Take it back to the dealer, maybe make things worse. Or go to an automobile
electrical specialist,

 

It has often been posted on this board that, while some Hyundai dealerships
are among the best out there, others are the worst. And I am beginning to
think that there isn't much in between.

In my area, I have two dealerships within 35 miles, and two more within
about 60 miles. Of the two close ones, we have one of each. I guess the
same is true with the farther out ones.

Now of course, on this board, we have only the best - Mr. HyundaiTech.

But I think with ANY car, you have to be cautious of at least some dealer
work.

 

I've not heard of any "unreadable" powertrain codes. All powertrain code
should be readable, but the tool used to read them may not be able t
provide the definition. Here's why:

When the standard for powertrain codes was set up, it was realized tha
manufacturers may wish to test things other than what was standardized.
So a differentiation was made. Codes P0xxx indicate a standardized code.
They indicate the same thing on all vehicles. Codes P1xxx and P2xxx ar
manufacturer specific. All manufacturers use them. And all appropriat
OBD-II code readers should be able to read them (although not necessaril
give their definition).

At this point, I'm interested in what the specific code was (not wha
anyone told you about what it meant). There is no code (except P000
which appears to indicate all good on some vehicles) that indicate
nothing was wrong. Someone here is not giving you the full story. Ever
person who checked the car should have been able to give you the cod
number, whether the reading was free or not. If you have the code number
I'll be happy to tell you what it means. Trust me, it means *something.*
Of course, that something could be the same thing your other oxygen senso
code indicated.

As far as the dealer service department, it's not generally in thei
interest to scan you car for free. The service department makes money of
the time they spend on your car and the parts used to repair your car. I
you're not willing to pay .5 to 1.0 hours labor in most cases for th
reading of the code and proper diagnostics, then you're probably also no
thgat interested having the dealer repair your car.

Parts stores, on the other hand, want to sell parts. Of course, the
typically know nothing about actual diagnosis and the fact that mos
trouble codes can be caused by a variety of things which are in som
cases, not necessarily obviously related to the code. But they provid
the code-reading service because it helps them sell parts.

Bottom line, it's all about business. And the issues you're having ar
with the businesses, not with the car itself

 

Thank you, Hyndaitech, I think I was more angry at the service
manager's sarcastic remark of "Go there." I have worked in customer
service for many years and would never, never say that to a customer,
no matter what the customer said to me. I agree, it's a business, and
it's how they stay in business. I'm not even sure I have the
unreadable code any longer. I trust your judgement and responses, this
group is lucky to have you.

 

Just a link:

http://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/

 

I have had dozens of check engine lights (yay '01 Elantra) - including
an 02 sensor code - and not one has ever been marked as "unreadable"
by my code reader (Yes I bought my own, for the convenience of knowing
just WHAT is broken this time around).

I think that is an appropriate response at times. If a customer wants
something for nothing, it'll only help a business if they encourage
that customer to go somewhere else.

And if that is the case, maybe it will allow the customer a moment of
introspection that will make them a better person.

If you have any integrity you'll inform the next owner about that fact.

 

Having been in business myself, I know the value of a customer. One
disgruntled customer has the potential to "badmouth" your business to
about 250 people (I tell my friends and family, my friends and family
tell their friends and family etc. and the number of bad messages
about your business increases exponentially.) The last thing a
business wants is a bad reputation or, obviously they won't be
successful. I always know when I'm talking to a manager or owner of a
business because they know this fact, and treat customers with respect
no matter how disgruntled they are. If you are hoping to own or manage
a business someday, you too will learn quickly about customer service.