Why Can't Service People At least Sound like they know what they are talking about?

[lynley]

Hi everyone! I'm the proud owner of a 1993 Celica convertable. Very recently the odomoter and speedometer just quit. I research the problem and today I called the Toyota service center and asked: Can you help me troubleshoot by telling me where to check the fuse of the S and O before I decide it needs to be brought in. After 5 minutes the guy was still telling me, "I'm not sure it has a fuse and I'd have to research that and let you know, you should just bring it in." So I ask him..are you telling me it doesn't or are you really telling me you don't know? To me that was very scary. Then he goes into how it is probably much more complicated and needs to be diagnosed. "How much will that cost?" he says, "I don't know, it depends on how many hours it takes us and it could be a few." Now, come on...in all of my research the 2 main problems being a broken cable or a speed sensor the cost for fixing it was around $130.00 And this guy is giving me the, "it may take hours pitch and he doesn't know if it has a fuse or not." Is it any wonder that I am so hesitant on using a service center? I have more certainty playing slots!
Lynley

[Qslim]

Originally Posted by lynley

Hi everyone! I'm the proud owner of a 1993 Celica convertable. Very recently the odomoter and speedometer just quit. I research the problem and today I called the Toyota service center and asked: Can you help me troubleshoot by telling me where to check the fuse of the S and O before I decide it needs to be brought in. After 5 minutes the guy was still telling me, "I'm not sure it has a fuse and I'd have to research that and let you know, you should just bring it in." So I ask him..are you telling me it doesn't or are you really telling me you don't know? To me that was very scary. Then he goes into how it is probably much more complicated and needs to be diagnosed. "How much will that cost?" he says, "I don't know, it depends on how many hours it takes us and it could be a few." Now, come on...in all of my research the 2 main problems being a broken cable or a speed sensor the cost for fixing it was around $130.00 And this guy is giving me the, "it may take hours pitch and he doesn't know if it has a fuse or not." Is it any wonder that I am so hesitant on using a service center? I have more certainty playing slots!
Lynley

Well, you have to realize that the service people that sit up front aren't trained technicians, and if they were, they would be back in the shop where they would make more money and work better hours. Service facilities also don't exist to lend technical and diagnostic services over the phone for free, they are businesses that charge by the hour to fix cars. Not to say that you can't get help like that, it's just a service you shouldn't expect. If you need wiring diagrams, buy a book or go to the technical forums here and ask for help. There are plenty of folks who have access to tech manuals.

[lynley]

Well I totally expected to take at least a small hit on my post hehehehe. I wasn't wanting it fixed over the phone for free but it's not that hard to at least lead someone to a fuse box which is in an unusual location before that person's only option is to bring it in where I've never had a bill under 300 bucks. Thanks for the advice about the technical forums. I hate to use things where I'm not able to contribute in a positive way to help someone else. But, I'll check it out all the same. I'll be in your fair state next week, hope the weather is warmer than here. Thanks for your reply and take care.
Lynley