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Goatball
Novice
Apr 18, 2023, 3:21 PM
Post #1 of 20
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Fuel pump module service
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Hi folks. I'm entirely new here. This is probably going to be an odd question as it has to do more with the shop where I was serviced than the vehicle itself. I hope this is acceptable.
Obligatory car specs:
2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer. 4.2 L engine, currently at about 244,000 miles.
Back in February of 2022, I had an issue with this vehicle having long crank times on cold starts. I brought it to a shop and they replaced the fuel pump module. About six months later, the vehicle started having long crank times again, except this time it was on hot starts. I took it back to the shop, and they basically told me, "We can't figure out what's wrong. Your car is old, so you should get used to it." And so I did. I just lived with it having eerily long crank times.
Just last Friday, however, immediately following me fueling, the vehicle failed to start: I turned the key in the ignition and the car started to turn over, but after maybe one revolution, it just stopped (I believe the technical term for what happened is "engine misfire," but I could be wrong). I took it to a nearby dealership instead of the shop from before, and the dealership came back saying the fuel pump module needed to be replaced. I called the original shop about it, and they now want to do their own inspection, billing me $140/hr for an indefinite number of hours simply for diagnostics.
Here's the thing: The fuel pump module that the original shop replaced is still under warranty. I'm really worried that the shop is leading me by the nose, expressly trying to get around having to do the warranty work and instead find other things to charge me for, but I don't know how to navigate this kind of situation. I asked if they'd take the diagnostic from the dealership, but they dismissed it.
Am I just being hypervigilant here? At this point, I would appreciate pretty much any advice. I don't have a sufficient income to have to do major repairs like this every year.
Thanks for your time.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 18, 2023, 5:44 PM
Post #2 of 20
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Re: Fuel pump module service
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That shop has some pretty lousy customer service. They probably used some junk Chinese parts.
They shouldn't be charging you to check their own work. At this point I would probably have it repaired elsewhere and then if it turns out to be the fuel pump, bring the bill back to the original shop. There are a lot of ways to get leverage on them to pay it with all the social media review sites or maybe even an attorney.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Apr 18, 2023, 5:45 PM)
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Goatball
Novice
Apr 18, 2023, 7:03 PM
Post #3 of 20
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Re: Fuel pump module service
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Thanks for the reply.
That sounds like a great idea at first, but I'm doubtful I'd be able to logically argue that the shop's pump was the culprit in a manner that they cannot refute. Even if I get the work done at another shop, they have already told me that they are unwilling to "simply take [other shops'] word for it," and I can very easily see them arguing that there is no way to prove that their work was the problem.
I should also point out that, in hindsight, I realized far too late that the shop also did not give me any written estimates for my previous visits, even though I asked for it with my signature (state law here dictates that auto customers have a right to this); they called me on my phone instead. This sounds like an easy target to use as legal leverage, but this also means that there is no written record of their (mal)practice or their statements to me. I have a copy of the final written invoice, but it doesn't include any of the shady stuff.
Of course, there's also the problem that there is no way on this Earth that I'd be able to afford legal assistance. I wasn't kidding when I said my income is low.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 18, 2023, 7:10 PM
Post #4 of 20
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Re: Fuel pump module service
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You don't have to prove anything to him. If you have a receipt for a fuel pump from another shop that fixed the problem that proves their pump was defective and they are responsible. You offered to let them check it but they wanted to charge you so they gave up their right to do the repair.
You have a lot of leverage here. You can destroy his reputation if he refuses to help you with bad online reviews. You can also contact the BBB. If he doesn't try to help you he won't be in business for much longer.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 18, 2023, 7:34 PM
Post #5 of 20
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Re: Fuel pump module service
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Frustrating crap. Back to top post where you said it just quit, you said "misfire" was a guess - NO - that might suggest running but not on all cylinders.
I take that, that it didn't try to start for too long but was cranking away.
The paperwork is paper is a problem in general or lack of it car work or other. If you want paper (I do) not some cyber receipt with encoded BS for what was done that's lost in space doesn't cut it.
Yes it's both an older vehicle with plenty of miles just wish that shop explained up front not pull the $140/hr to say the same bull ride.
For now DO YOU HAVE IT RUNNING TO USE?
If so good I guess. Try for this delayed/prolonged time to start holding key to run, hear it buzz (if quiet) and will prime pressure up should start when you crank it right away or I think it might.
That's a fuel pump issue usually already addressed and doing it again as Hammer Time said the cheap parts a high chance of the reason.
That's where a paper or printable receipt would help, part #s and all and show hours it was charged to you to do it.
Just ducky how this trade and most hide everything becomes up to you to insist.
You may have to start over with this perhaps yet another shop or person who'll listen to YOU and take care of it.
YOU are the customer they bought the part wholesale common to sell to you retail (all biz stuff) so they are the parts source now but late in this case without that paper to show it.
THEY SOLD THE PART(S) is my point not where they acquired it is their problem stinks and twist it all up so you're stuck.
Try to find the right shop/person for this vehicle there's a niche for this older stuff IMO is messing up the fast and furious crap hidden is taking zero responsibility for their work.
Try but this exact time you may eat this but do think it needs it again with known parts fuel things for GM really like the OE grade stuff lots better than knock off parts or cloned garbage.
Good luck this is finding the right shop and help more than the vehicle IMO, Tom
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Sidom
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Apr 19, 2023, 12:50 AM
Post #6 of 20
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Re: Fuel pump module service
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What state do you live in?
Some states have automotive bureau's for consumer protection. If you live in a state that does you may want to give them a call and get some help with this.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 19, 2023, 4:36 AM
Post #7 of 20
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Re: Fuel pump module service
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He is in New York
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 19, 2023, 5:22 AM
Post #8 of 20
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Re: Fuel pump module service
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Goatball: Is this fairly rusted for location? I looked up a hunch of what to check, with just an ohm meter for one more sensor OMG you tilt the body off frame to get at!
Fine, 5 bolts if rusted will never behave. Testing it is easy IDK why it isn't triggering a clear code if so either?
Coolant Temp Sensor test and pigtail wires to them were an issue with the type available dirt cheap just a tough location.
If open it thinks it's always cold, cold and shorted thinks it's already warmed up would crank forever but work with starting fluid right away AYOR stuff is explosive as nuts gets.
Now if these shops know it's a pest rust wise they don't want this job IMO the "maybe" factor.
BTW it's usually just the pigtail not the sensor or several were for me I did both just because cheap and tested sensor in a pan of hot water was the connection feared lousy all times,
Tom
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 19, 2023, 5:32 AM
Post #9 of 20
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Re: Fuel pump module service
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Well, if that doesn't confuse the Sh!t out of you, nothing will.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 19, 2023, 5:42 AM
Post #10 of 20
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Re: Fuel pump module service
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Ayup, 244,000 miles some road spray from just FR wheel would take this out, Tom
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Goatball
Novice
Apr 19, 2023, 8:59 AM
Post #11 of 20
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Re: Fuel pump module service
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Thanks for the replies, folks, and sorry for not getting back sooner.
The state in question is Ohio. The state law I was referring to regarding written statements was Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 109:4, namely the 4-3- section. I'm not familiar with any protection bureaus for this state, but I'd guess that's mostly just due to my own ignorance.
Edit: It dawned upon me a little late: I'm guessing you determined New York based on my IP address. Alas, I posted those messages (and this one) while on a VPN. Sorry for the confusion.
(This post was edited by Goatball on Apr 19, 2023, 9:04 AM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 19, 2023, 9:07 AM
Post #12 of 20
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Re: Fuel pump module service
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I don't know whether you are using a VPN or something else shady but your IP address has changed every time you posted so I'm becoming very suspicious.
The last one shows you in Panama.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Goatball
Novice
Apr 19, 2023, 9:30 AM
Post #13 of 20
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Re: Fuel pump module service
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...Panama? What? I was using Nord's service and had it set to connect to a server in Buffalo, NY.
Geez. I've turned it off for this post and will keep it off for future posts. Sorry about that.
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Sidom
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Apr 19, 2023, 9:42 AM
Post #14 of 20
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Re: Fuel pump module service
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Well, as HT his already said, you may have to go to another shop and get the pump replaced and then present the bill to the original shop. If money is tight and there is no automotive bureau, then you're only recourse would be small claims court. You could give that a shot but you do have to prove that you gave them a chance to look at it. This is where text or emails come in real handy if you don't have any invoices.
Chauk it up to lesson learned and obviously you'll never go to that shop again
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Goatball
Novice
Apr 19, 2023, 10:12 AM
Post #17 of 20
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Re: Fuel pump module service
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Thanks for the input, everyone.
I've got an appointment at the original shop this coming Tuesday to see if they actually give me a written estimate this time; reportedly, they will look briefly at the car and then tell me how long they think they'll need for their "diagnostics." If they skip the written part and call me again, I'm fairly certain I'll be able to claim that they're practicing deception by definition of Ohio 109:4-3-13. I'll ask around about legal advice from there. I absolutely will not approve any further charges from the shop.
I guess the only question left is how to prove that I asked them for written information. This shop in particular has a little digital device at their reception desk where you give your signature and, next to said signature, write either "written" or "verbal" to indicate which format you'd like your estimate in. I'm planning on attempting to photograph my choice on the screen before submitting it to them, but I don't know if that's legally valid. Would it be better to try and ask for a full-blown paper form? And what if they say no?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 19, 2023, 10:17 AM
Post #18 of 20
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Re: Fuel pump module service
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Location isn't critical for what found. There (in video) was a rubber flap with plastic buttons over where a sensor is in question. That could or would be gone, lost or who knows? It clearly would allow road spray under it just the plug in anything there wheel in water is a pressure washer of violet spray.
Not hard done the way it was done time wise if it was correct you can see it lifting up that flap.
Bet I have one in my shop now same deal was used for about 20+ model years FAILED on several so pigtail ends are also common but you splice those in if it's that at all.
It never triggered a warning of any kind on ones I did so cheap for both issue was you lose coolant thru it also then the pest to fill it back up is plumbing thread still good to use just a shellac, the brown goo now sold by Permatex will ground thru that yet not be stuck lots later on metal threads,
Tom
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Sidom
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Apr 19, 2023, 11:04 AM
Post #20 of 20
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Re: Fuel pump module service
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You really don't have to go that far to photograph stuff in the office. Like I said text and emails would be helpful or an invoice. The main thing is you have the original invoice from when they did the work and most importantly now you do have your call logs from when you called the shop. This will show how many times you called and for how long. If it was just a quick call and hang up to get the number on the log, then it would only last for a few seconds. Since your call is for a minute or longer and it's obvious you were talking to somebody about something.
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