Thread: Paying big $$$ to get an alternator replaced and they forget to plug in wires...

Now that I live in an apartment its very difficult to do any work on my car. So, I needed a new alternator and took it to a shop. I walked in told them "Do not charge me for any diagnostics, I know its the alternator. The battery is also good. I want you guys to put in a new alternator for me and thats it. I also want you to change the oil.". I also asked about their warranty on their alternators.

I get a call at work 4 hours later.

Mechanic - "Where is the alternator?"
Me - "Umm on the right side of the engine bay...."
Mechanic - "No, its not in the car."
Me - "That doesn't make any sense at all."
Mechanic - "I looked in the back seat and the trunk. Is it in the car?"
*I realize what is happening here*
Me - "Oh, the new alternator. You guys are supplying that. Remember I asked about a warranty on it."
Mechanic - "Oh let me quote you the part, we also don't have one here. Its going to be awhile longer."

Sighhhhhhhhh

Soooo a day later (yesterday) I am leaving walmart and I see this wire dangling under my car an inch above the pavement. Sure enough its right next to where the new alternator just got installed. Took it back today and told them to plug it back in. I did a quick google search on my car and turns out it plugs into a sensor on my power steering pump. Its actually not very important at all, adjusts idle based on power steering oil pressure. They have my car, and I know exactly what it is. I bet they call me back and tell me they don't know what it plugs into. How that even got unplugged in the first place is a mystery. Probably just an accident. But the damn thing was dangling right where he had to be working... not sure how he didn't notice it.

Oh well, felt like bitching a bit about that.

I just called and told them where it plugs into, I clarified that I wasn't sure because I couldn't get under there and look. He seemed very skeptical that I would have any idea what it went to.

just imagine if you were a woman.

My last tire and rotate, well, let's just say the tires got put back on worse than they were before. I go back the day after demanding they do it again, and I watch them this time, and they claim it's my fault that I obviously put the miles back on there already. This is why I try to do all my work on my own...

After buying my 82 malibu the tires were bald and it needed an alignment BAD, I take it to one of THE WORST places EVER pep boys...I NEVER EVER EVER go there for ANYTHING or buy their parts but my dad talked me into it because i needed it done ASAP, So i pick the car up about 4hrs later and there was no change except the new tires...I turn around and go back to them and tell them it isnt right and they tell me "Oh well its an older car our tech isnt certified for anything but laser alignments, but he can try again." I figured what the hell ill let him do it again. Why i did this i have no idea, I get the car back and this time it goes straight for half of my ride home before it starts going all over the road again...

Now mind you i kno its mainly cause of most of the suspension being destroyed and its not the stock engine so all that throws the weight off and in the end he Did make it somewhat better, But even so it shouldnt be THAT hard to do...