Auto Hobby Center

Review: My car was stalling. The shop replaced the fuel pump. It didn't fix anything. I got a refund for repairs. The shop said I have to come back and pay

August 2nd while I was driving from my shop on Beale AFB to the exit gate to go home my 2003 Pontiac Grand AM stalled/killed/shutoff. I restarted the car and pulled into a near parking lot to assess. While in park my vehicle again shutoff. After the second time stalling I decided to bring my car 3 mls up the road on base to the Auto Hobby Shop (AHS). I started my car, drove to the AHS and parked in the front parking spot. I located a mechanic in which I then advised of my car shutting off while driving and in idle. I then signed my car into the AHS. A couple of days later I received a call from an AHS mechanic stating the reason my Pontiac was shutting off was that my Idle Air Controller (IAC) was bad. He asked me if it was ok to replace the part in which I then gave the ok.

A few days later I received a voice mail from [redacted] an AHS mechanic stating, "Hey M.... its [redacted] at the Auto Hobby Shop do me a favor give me a call I got some more information uhmm about your vehicle unfortunately the Idle Air Controller was not the problem and but we did find out what was wrong with it and I need to talk to you about it XXX-XXXX call me back as soon as you can thank you by". When I returned the phone call I was advised by the mechanic the reason the Pontiac was stalling/killing/shutting off was the fuel pump, the pump was tested and its reading zero and it needed to be changed. I sighed in disappointment that the job would take longer but was relieved the problem was caught and gave the ok.

I then was told that since the change of the IAC did not correct the Pontiacs issue the old IAC would be put back on and the charge for the IAC and the computer diagnostic removed. About two weeks later I received a voicemail from an AHS mechanic stating, "Hey M.... this is [redacted] at the Auto Hobby Shop just giving you a call letting you know your vehicle is ready to be picked up". Furthermore, I received an e-mail from the AHS manager [redacted] stating my car is ready to be picked up.

[redacted]Unable to get out of work, the following is my wife's account as she was the person who went to pay and pick up the car (Pontiac grand am) [redacted].

On August 22nd I 9 months pregnant went to the Auto Hobby Shop on Beale AFB to pay for and pick up our 2003 Pontiac Grand AM. I approached the mechanic at the service counter and stated I was here for the Pontiac. I swiped my Debit card for a charge of 469.75 and was given back our key. I entered the Pontiac turned the ignition switch; the car started and then immediately shut off.

I went back up to the service counter and advised the mechanic the car keeps killing. He then walked out the service booth and called a mechanic. The mechanic and I went to the car in which he then got inside. He then turned off the radio, lights, AC (anything that was on). He started the car and began to switch through the gears but nothing happened. He then turned the AC back on and it killed. He turned the car on again and kept pressing the gas but the car kept killing.

He then stated the car wasn't doing that before. A second mechanic walked up a questioned what was going on in which the first mechanic stated its killing but with the AC off it stays running. I walked away and went sit down as the heat was unbearable for me. After a few minutes of the mechanics deliberating I went back. The second mechanic stated he didn't know what was going on. The first mechanic then asked me if they could keep it another day to see what's going on. After leaving the AHS I contacted my husband and told him the car was still shutting off and they were keeping it.

**The following is my account after my wife telling me what happened with car at the AHS[redacted].

August 22nd I contacted the AHS (Auto Hobby Shop) in which I spoke to a mechanic named [redacted] I asked [redacted] if I was to come down there would I be able to obtain a refund. I was told I would not because the work was done. After conversing for a few minutes I assumed we would not come to a resolution when Lieu told me if I took any other means to resolve this issue they just wouldn't continue to work on my car.

August 23rd I went into the AHS and spoke with the [redacted] the AHS Manager in the company of two of her mechanics. I stated it was unfair that I paid almost 500$ for a car still sitting in there parking lot. I expressed my concern that it seemed as if someone tried to take advantage of myself and my 9 month pregnant wife by giving her a car they knew didn't work. I noted to [redacted] the mechanic notes stated the car shuts off when the AC to prove someone was aware of the issue. At that moment [redacted] looked to her mechanics and stated, "Ok guys I'm with him now". For the maintenance not fixing the Pontiac and being told the car was ready when it was not [redacted] offered me an apology and full refund of 469.75. Furthermore, I was told they would continue to look at the car.

A few days later I received a call from [redacted] saying they were unsure what was wrong with the car; they expect it's something to do with the computer. I was told they (AHS mechanics) weren't experienced in electrical matters and I should take it to her friend in town but first needed to come back in and pay again. I inquired as to why and was told because the mechanics said the pump was one of the issues wrong and it needed to be changed. A day or so later I went into the AHS and sat down with [redacted]. I again pleaded that after being given a refund and my car still having the same issues I don't see why I would pay for that. [redacted] stated that she spoke with both her mechanics and they assured her when checked the fuel pump pressure was zero (0). She again stated to me she asked both the mechanics about the fuel pump pressure, was it low or a little and if they were sure and that they said yes.

After leaving I contacted multiple local mechanics for their opinion. I was advised that from their professional opinion and business practices, if it doesn't fix the problem then by their standards they would not charge. Additionally I was told if I was able to drive the car to the shop and they drove it on and off the lift then there was no way the pump read zero (0). The next time I spoke with [redacted] I asked how is it that I drove my car from work down the street, to the AHS and then the car be drove up and down the lift if the pump pressure was zero (0). I was told maybe it had been confused it might have not been exactly zero. I requested my old part be put back in just as the old IAC was when it didn't fix the problem in effort to resolve the matter. I was told that it wouldn't be possible because the part had been thrown away.

Since the end of August my car has been sitting at the AHS in the parking lot. The story of why my old fuel pump was recommended to be changed has evolved from:

1. This is the reason the car was stalling,

2. There was zero pressure (0),

3. The pressure was low,

4. The fuel pump readings were intermittent,

5. The mechanics needed it changed so they could do further diagnostic.

It is my belief that the AHS (Auto Hobby Shop) mechanic working on my car made a bad call. The pump is no longer believed to be zero (0) from either side of this issue. So why was it changed. If because it was low or intermittent as no longer claimed why I was not advised of such so I could make an informed decision. If it was so they could keep the car running so they could do further evaluating. Why was I not advised the change was not to fix the issue but to tinker around some more? If it was because it was one of the mechanics two guessed problems, then why was I told they knew what was wrong and then only state the pump as the problem?

My concerns are:

1. When I bring my car to another shop to fix the it and it runs, it will not have anything to do with the fuel pump.

2. Could the now clamed low pressure/intermittent fuel pressure reading have been caused by anything else or the proposed computer malfunction? (NOTE the AHS has stated they are not subject matter experts and unsure, so the computer being the problem is merely a guess).

3. Were the tools used to check the fuel pump pressure serviced?

4. Since the AHS replaced my engine a few months back could it be something to do with it failing while still in warranty.

5. When the fuel pump was recommended to be changed there was no second issue. If it was recommended under the belief it was the soul problem with the car like the IAC (Idle Air Controller) why should it cost.

6. There is absolutely nothing different with the car than the day I turned it in. Shouldn't there be some notable difference in the cars performance being the fuel pump was changed.

7. It is no longer stated the pressure was zero (0) but now referred to as going bad. Is, part seems to be "going bad" grounds to change an item on my car.

8. If it can't for a FACT determined my old fuel pump was an issue with the car shutting off why am I asked to pay.

9. Why did the mechanic not state inside his mechanic notes the condition/pressure of the fuel pump? There are no remarks concerning the fuel pump on the written mechanic notes. If so crucial why not state it.

10. I was given a full refund in which I have the receipt. Why can't I go get my car?Desired Settlement: Since I have been already given a refund. I wish not to go back and pay 469.75 again and consider the issue settled. I wish to pick up my key and car and leave the parking lot with no reprisal.

Business

Response:

Consumer Response

Consumer states that the company contacted him and allowed him to simply pay the labor charges. Consumer indicates that the complaint is resolved.