Warranty disappointment

[obiwanbill]

2 weeks ago, the coil and Engine Control Module burned up and it was covered by warranty. Took forever for the parts to come in. Now a week after getting it back, the engine wouldn't start. Had her towed in (AAA Plus) again.
Told today it was a bad battery and would be 130$ to replace, not covered by warranty (4800 miles, 4 months old).
They were claiming that the radio that I had plugged into the dealer installed accessory plug drained the battery enough to make it not start.

WTF? a radio? if they don't want extra accessories, why offer an accessory plug? Radio hasn't caused any trouble for 4 months, why now? IF I had those fog lamps they would draw likely 3x the power that a radio would.

So they charged up the new battery and then said the starter solenoid wasn't working and they had to jump over it to start the beastie.

WTF? :helpsmilie::hun:

 

[Firefly]

2 weeks ago, the coil and Engine Control Module burned up and it was covered by warranty. Took forever for the parts to come in. Now a week after getting it back, the engine wouldn't start. Had her towed in (AAA Plus) again.
Told today it was a bad battery and would be 130$ to replace, not covered by warranty (4800 miles, 4 months old).
They were claiming that the radio that I had plugged into the dealer installed accessory plug drained the battery enough to make it not start.

WTF? a radio? if they don't want extra accessories, why offer an accessory plug? Radio hasn't caused any trouble for 4 months, why now? IF I had those fog lamps they would draw likely 3x the power that a radio would.

So they charged up the new battery and then said the starter solenoid wasn't working and they had to jump over it to start the beastie.

WTF? :helpsmilie::hun:

Hmmm.. sounds to me like you have another problem that might eat another battery--- keep the documentation about that starter solenoid. It's more likely that the other parts that burnt out did some battery damage than your radio setup. I would be pretty mad too!

Did you use the Best plus towing--- or you say you have AAA ??

While I really like AAA membership services-- they lobby against MC riders rights big time.

Do you use a Battery Tender at all? Not that you should 'have' to ---- but it's a good idea to hook it up every week or so--- many people just plug it in every night-- which won't hurt anything.

 

[NancysToy]

The best way to get incompetent dealers to toe the line is probably Carlo at BRP Customer Service. He helped us through similar problems. BTW, the accessory terminal is only hot when the ignition switch is on, if the dealer wired it correctly. You would have had to leave the key on to run down the battery. Also, if the battery was not filled and let sit before it was charged, then charged overnight as the BRP procedure specifies, it was done incorrectly and will probably fail again. Your dealer has some serious explaining to do.

 

[obiwanbill]

battery

they are claiming battery wear down due to having the radio (it shuts off when the key is off-powered via the switched cigar lighter in the trunk) and the fender lights.

I took out the white fender lights and put in yellow ones...looked better but wimpy. as former sea dog, put a red one in the left and a green in the right-like on a ship. service manager said battery torn down by those lights (same 5w wattage WTF?) and by the radio (Huh?).

what if I had the fog lights installed? now that would be a drain on the battery/generator.

My theory is that the battery went down due to multiple attempts to start her. Haven't used battery tender as the battery usually is at 13-14 volts.

How come the battery was fine with the radio and occasionally the cell phone plugged into this cigar lighter for 4 months....but now all this electrical crap (coil, ECM and now the solenoid?)

Been with AAA for 36 years...only trouble has been with AAA plus, getting them to tow bikes. always an excuse why they cant (5 hour delays). After the last time, when they gave me a 5 hour delay, I went in and talked to the Head cheese. He sent me a letter that he straightened out his Road Service Mgr that gave me a hard time. Sent me a coupon for a free car oil change and my 150$ member fee waived for 2010. With the tow on Tuesday, they took 68 minutes to arrive instead of 5 hours.:2thumbs:

 

[Magic Man]

they are claiming battery wear down due to having the radio (it shuts off when the key is off-powered via the switched cigar lighter in the trunk) and the fender lights.

I took out the white fender lights and put in yellow ones...looked better but wimpy. as former sea dog, put a red one in the left and a green in the right-like on a ship. service manager said battery torn down by those lights (same 5w wattage WTF?) and by the radio (Huh?).

what if I had the fog lights installed? now that would be a drain on the battery/generator.

My theory is that the battery went down due to multiple attempts to start her. Haven't used battery tender as the battery usually is at 13-14 volts.

How come the battery was fine with the radio and occasionally the cell phone plugged into this cigar lighter for 4 months....but now all this electrical crap (coil, ECM and now the solenoid?)

Been with AAA for 36 years...only trouble has been with AAA plus, getting them to tow bikes. always an excuse why they cant (5 hour delays). After the last time, when they gave me a 5 hour delay, I went in and talked to the Head cheese. He sent me a letter that he straightened out his Road Service Mgr that gave me a hard time. Sent me a coupon for a free car oil change and my 150$ member fee waived for 2010. With the tow on Tuesday, they took 68 minutes to arrive instead of 5 hours.:2thumbs:

I really feel sorry for you!

It sounds to me like your dealer does not know an AMP from his azz.

Unfortunatly, you are not alone as I hear this kind do stuff about anything electrical from people complaining about their dealers all over the country!

There is NO MAGIC in how any of this works, and all it requires is someone at the dealership to have enough pride in what they do to have bothered to learn the basics on how any of this works.

Your story reads like the over and over again "let's try this and see if it works" type of "which hunt" diagnosis I see done over and over again.

So many times I see the dealer ALWAYS blame the aftermarket part (in this case your bulbs and radio) rather than just find out the real cause.

Always the first thing they do is blame any aftermarket thing no matter what it is. In most cases as in your's it ends up that it has nothing to do with it at all.

Anybody so stupid to try to say a 5 watt bulbs color could be the cause of a battery gong bad is on crack!:crackpipe:

Five watts is 5 watts no matter what color the glass is! That would be like saying because your Spyder is yellow it will have oil leaks because the yellow paint is causing it.

You need to find another dealer FAST! This guy is not only out of touch and totally stupid on how any of this works, he is also a poser telling you any of this crap with a straight face.

Run, run, run away! Until then.... be afraid, be very afraid everytime they touch your Spyder!

My heart goes out to you.

MM

 

[rnet]

I really feel sorry for you!

I sounds to me like your dealer does not know an AMP from his azz.

Unfortunatly, you are not alone as I hear this kind do stuff about anything electrical from people complaining about their dealers all over the country!

There is NO MAGIC in how any of this works, and all it requires is someone at the dealership to have enough pride in what they do to have bothered to learn the basics on how any of this works.

Your story reads like the over and over again "let's try this and see if it works" type of "which hunt" diagnosis I see done over and over again.

So many times I see the dealer ALWAYS blame the aftermarket part (in this case your bulbs and radio) rather than just find out the real cause.

Always the first thing they do is blame any aftermarket thing no matter what it is. In most cases as in your's it ends up that it has nothing to do with it at all.

Anybody so stupid to try to say a 5 watt bulbs color could be the cause of a battery gong bad is on crack!:crackpipe:

Five watts is 5 watts no matter what color the glass is! That would be like saying because your Spyder is yellow it will have oil leaks because the yellow paint is causing it.

You need to find another dealer FAST! This guy is not only out of touch and totally stupid on how any of this works, he is also a poser telling you any of this crap with a straight face.

Run, run, run away! Until then.... be afraid, be very afraid everytime they touch your Spyder!

My heart goes out to you.

MM

:agree: glad your dealer is not is near me.

 

[Roaddog2]

The best way to get incompetent dealers to toe the line is probably Carlo at BRP Customer Service. He helped us through similar problems. BTW, the accessory terminal is only hot when the ignition switch is on, if the dealer wired it correctly. You would have had to leave the key on to run down the battery. Also, if the battery was not filled and let sit before it was charged, then charged overnight as the BRP procedure specifies, it was done incorrectly and will probably fail again. Your dealer has some serious explaining to do.

:agree:

 

[NancysToy]

Don't know what the laws are in your state, but this wouldn't fly in Michigan. In addition, Federal law puts the burden of proof on the dealer to prove that your modifications caused a failure before they can deny warranty coverage. In your case, anyone with an IQ over 2 1/2 can tell that the facts don't support their conclusions. I'd see if there is a state agency that deals with issues of this type, and get them to intervene for you. In fact, pointing these things out, and mentioning the word "lawyer" in the same breath, may be enough ammo to get them to do things right. In the meantime, I'd try to find an alternate dealer.

 

[SpyderByter]

Did you use the Best plus towing--- or you say you have AAA ??

While I really like AAA membership services-- they lobby against MC riders rights big time.

FireFly,

I am interested in knowing what types of things AAA does against motorcylce rights. I am a longstanding AAA member, used it many times, but I don't like the sounds of that.

 

[SpyderByter]

I really feel sorry for you!

I sounds to me like your dealer does not know an AMP from his azz.

MM

:agree:

 

[Lamonster]

Told today it was a bad battery and would be 130$ to replace, not covered by warranty (4800 miles, 4 months old).

The battery is covered for 6 months.

4. WARRANTY COVERAGE PERIOD
This warranty will be in effect from the date of delivery to the first retail consumer or the date the roadster is first put into use, whichever occurs first and for the following periods:

(a) for private, recreational use, TWENTY FOUR (24) CONSECUTIVE MONTHS, except for the items covered in points (b) to (e) below; and for commercial use TWELVE ( 12) CONSECUTIVE MONTHS, except for the items covered in points (b) to (e) below.

A roadster is used commercially when it is used in connection with any work or employment that generates income, during any part of the warranty period.

A roadster is also used commercially when, at any point during the warranty period, it is licensed for commercial use;

(b) for the battery, SIX (6) CONSECUTIVE MONTHS;

(c) for the tires, 6 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS or until tires are worn to the last three thirty-seconds of an inch (3/32 inch) (2.38 millimeters) for the front tires and the last five thirty-seconds of an inch (5/32 inch) (3.97millimeters) for the rear tire, whichever occurs first;

 

[barb36jack31]

I long for the reliability of the Japanese equipment. Never have I seen such a parade of horrors that the Spyder presents.

 

[bjt]

I long for the reliability of the Japanese equipment. Never have I seen such a parade of horrors that the Spyder presents.

Anything can have problems, even those vaunted Japanese products.

http://pressroom.toyota.com/

 

[BajaRon]

I long for the reliability of the Japanese equipment. Never have I seen such a parade of horrors that the Spyder presents.

Are you serious? :dontknow:

You need to spend some time on an Asian Bike forum. Same "Parade of Horrors" where ever you go.

 

[BajaRon]

I agree 100% with NMN and others (especially after Lamont's post on the battery warranty period).

What is happening here is outright THEFT! You are paying for the dealer's ignorance, stupidity or outright greed.

My quesion is, how did they know the battery was the problem seeing as how when they put a new battery in it still wouldn't start because of a bad starter solenoid.

Seems like they are taking a shotgun (replace it instead of check it first) approach on your dime! All the time giving you lame excuses about your aftermarket stuff.

I think NMN's assertion that Yellow Paint causes oil leaks is every bit as credible as any of the lame answers you've gotten so far.

Some dealerships are just ticks waiting for a doner. Their wallet swells up while yours gets thinner.

 

[Magic Man]

I long for the reliability of the Japanese equipment. Never have I seen such a parade of horrors that the Spyder presents.

If you think the "grass really is greener on the other side" I'm here to tell you it ain't so. :lecturef_smilie:

Most Can-am dealers have other lines too. So why don't you ask the techs there some of the horror stories they can tell you about "Japanese equipment"

I guess you weren't around on the forums when Honda had all the Goldwing frames breaking, and then did not even replace them but only had the dealer get "local Billy Bob Welder" to come weld the frame whie the bike was still together! Then they only rattle can painted the weld! :yikes:

Makes getting an update seem like a walk in the park.

MM

 

[BajaRon]

If you think the "grass really is greener on the other side" I'm here to tell you it ain't so. :lecturef_smilie:

Most Can-am dealers have other lines too. So why don't you ask the techs there some of the horror stories they can tell you about "Japanese equipment"

I guess you weren't around on the forums when Honda had all the Goldwing frames breaking, and then did not even replace them but only had the dealer get "local Billy Bob Welder" to come weld the frame whie the bike was still together! Then they only rattle can painted the weld! :yikes:

Makes getting an update seem like a walk in the park.

MM

That's true, for sure, but not even the whole story. Didn't they have all kinds of electronic/electrical failures from welders just hooking up and zapping the frame without disconnecting/protecting sensitive electronic equipment?

Stuff goes wrong. Some brands are better and more reliable than others. Honda is usually at the top end of the scale. But even they have issues.

The Spyder has been as reliable or more reliable than all the other motorcycles I've even owned (having several Hondas in that list).

 

[barb36jack31]

opcorn:opcorn:Wow! I continue to be impressed by the loyalty of the Spyder community. I just based my comments about the Spyder in comparison with all the other bikes I have owned over the 60+ years I have been riding. When all is said and done, I still have little confidence in the Spyder. I enjoy the heck out of riding it - I just don't trust it.

 

[barb36jack31]

As a final note, I am sorry if I have offended anyone. I'll not comment on this subject again

 

[j45p3r]

opcorn:opcorn:Wow! I continue to be impressed by the loyalty of the Spyder community. I just based my comments about the Spyder in comparison with all the other bikes I have owned over the 60+ years I have been riding. When all is said and done, I still have little confidence in the Spyder. I enjoy the heck out of riding it - I just don't trust it.

I'm not afraid to go anywhere on my Spyder. It's never given me a reason to think otherwise. I really think a lot of these "horrors" you mention are really caused or at least made worse by bad dealers, not necessarily the machine.