Wow, today was an eye opener. I've certainly picked up on an anti-dealership tone in many threads on this forum, but even still I wasn't prepared for this. My TPMS light is on and I brought it to a 5-Star dealership for repair - presumably either there's a damaged sensor, or the monitoring xem is damaged (not reading from the sensors), or the xem needs re-setting. Not a real large universe of things that could be wrong. After about 90 minutes taking readings and driving it around, I was given a rental car and told we just need more time, the Crossfire is so unique and we just don't have much experience with these things (not sure if "these things" meant Crossfires or TPSM or both). Did they just say that?, I thought. Not exactly confidence inspiring. By the time I'd left they'd highlighted their inexperience 3 to 4 times. It's not the "more time" I mind (at all), it's the professed inexperience with one of their own vehicles. I don't like to name names (dealer) on here.

Questions --

What does a 5-star dealership mean (other than that one of their mechanics went to Xfi school)? - now that I've been to two and beenunderwhelmed by both, I wonder if that designation can be purchased out of a gumball machine.

Isn't it an age-old axiom about car dealerships (regardless of brand) - they overcharge but they're supposed to be supremely expert on the nuances of the cars they sell? -- better expertise, specialized equipment, uniquely trained mechanics, etc. What gives?

What exactly does Chrysler's "Crossfire school" for select mechanics entail? I'm beginning to think it's Crossfire identification (THIS is a Crossfire, THIS is a PT Cruiser, THIS is a Jeep, etc.) Even if you go to a dealer with one of these "Crossfire mechanics" you'd still think you'd brought them a UFO to hear them gripe.

Is it in the realm of the possible or allowable that they'll just call me and say sorry, we tried, we can't fix it?

 

Sharon is a good resource for finding a dealer that knows his stuff. She has quite the story with her issues.

The squeaky wheel gets the grease...keep asking questions and talk to the higher-ups when you have to.

 

This is a dumb question, but I have to ask it. Did you or the dealer check the tire pressure?

 

Yes, we both did. Thanks.

 

Wow, if that's the case then your five-finger dealer seems pretty incompetent. They should be able to plug in the DRB-III and read the fault code. Of course, I'm not there and don't know all the particulars of the problem but like you said, there's not that much that can go wrong...

 

Yes, I am the poster child for that, aren't I? LOL.

 

I'm now told it's a bad sensor & the replacement won't be in until Friday. That's not a huge inconvenience b/c they gave me a rental car at their expense, but I do wonder why they didn't have even one sensor in stock. I know they don't take up that much room. I was told they don't keep them in stock because they're such an expensive part. I know they're about $100 but there are many more expensive parts than that. Are the sensors a perishable item that they can't be stocked? Also, living in a major metropolitan area I would think one could be gotten more quickly than 4 days. As long as come the end of the week the thing actually works/is fixed, I'll be happy enough. I suspect that when whoever couldn't diagnose the problem on Monday they had the Xfi mechanic look at it today and that's how they ID'ed the problem. I'm thinking of calling and requesting that the Xfi mechanic do the sensor installation, since a number of ya'll have said that wouldn't necessarily happen otherwise.

 

Better now. They redeemed themselves. I got the call that the car was ready today (the lady who I talked to when my service adviser had left for the day was incorrect about the timeline/taking til Friday). The TPSM light is off. (I will let 8 lbs of air out of the respective tire tomorrow and then put it back in to make sure the light goes on and off). I have to say that what others have said about the Xfi vs. general mechanics at the 5*s is true. On day 1, they couldn't diagnose the problem. On day 2, the Xfi mechanic ID'ed the problem, which tells me he wasn't involved on day 1. I asked that it be the Xfi mechanic to install the replacement sensor and they said it was going to be him anyway. And voila, it was done. So I guess the moral is book the appointment on a day you're certain the Xfi mechanic will be there. So this dealer is still on the list all things considered.