Diagnostic test fee when garage can't work out what fault means!

moo842

I've taken my car to halfords auto centre this morning as I have had an intermittent fault saying 'electronic fault' for around 9 months, it has started to become more regular so I thought I'd get it checked out
They have just called to say that the computer is telling them that there is a communication fault between the breaks and ecu? But they aren't sure what to do so I'll need to take it to a main dealer.
Now I will be picking the car up in a while, should I be expected to pay for the diagnostic? Will I get a print out to take to the main dealer? Or do I have to start all over again with the main dealer paying there diagnostic fee as well?
Now I'm happy to pay the fee, but not if I have to pay again at the main dealers! I would have more than happily paid halfords to fix it, if they knew what they needed to do, and just feel £50 is a lot of money if I'm no closer to having it fixed.
Thank you

OddballJamie

£50 just to read a code that a £7 OBD scanner from Amazon can do, don't know how the staff at Halfords can sleep at night.

Main dealer will charge for a proper diagnostic and then hourly rate for fault finding. Best to set a time limit when you take it in incase they go wild with the time.

spacey2012

You asked them to perform a diagnostic code read, which can be done with a generic £11 code reader from E-bay yourself in a minute.
They have done this as you asked.
They are a fast fit garage, they fit consumable parts only.
You will have to pay the rate what you asked for.
Then find a garage that employ a mechanic.

Anything other than very simple bolt on parts it outside this companies skill levels, despite what advertisement says.

They wont pay the rates of pay required to get anyone with half an idea.
You wont be the first or the last to find them out.

Strider590

spacey2012 wrote: »

They wont pay the rates of pay required to get anyone with half an idea.
You wont be the first or the last to find them out.

Neither do most dealerships.......
The admin/management desk jockeys think that all they need is a bunch of 17yr olds, a diagnostics computer, a set of spanners and 30 minutes to do a 3 hour job.

spacey2012

Strider590 wrote: »

Neither do most dealerships.......
The admin/management desk jockeys think that all they need is a bunch of 17yr olds, a diagnostics computer, a set of spanners and 30 minutes to do a 3 hour job.

Indeed, many a true word. :T

Strider590

spacey2012 wrote: »

Indeed, many a true word. :T

Pretty bad state of affairs really, it's hard to know who to trust these days.......

richard734

better off finding a good local mechanic with a full kit (my guy has loads of software for all different makers on his collection of PC's) £35 diagnostic inspection charge - and he takes at least a good half hour and anything that can be fixed with a bit of love and no new parts in that time is included.

moo842

I have to say that after speaking with halfords they agreed not to charge me, so I can't complain, shame they couldn't sort it, but at least I don't have to pay the diagnostic fee twice

facade

Good result.

The cheap eBay readers will only check and clear engine codes, not brakes security or body control modules. These readers cost hundreds.

red_eye

moo842 wrote: »

I've taken my car to halfords auto centre this morning as I have had an intermittent fault saying 'electronic fault' for around 9 months, it has started to become more regular so I thought I'd get it checked out
They have just called to say that the computer is telling them that there is a communication fault between the breaks and ecu? But they aren't sure what to do so I'll need to take it to a main dealer.
Now I will be picking the car up in a while, should I be expected to pay for the diagnostic? Will I get a print out to take to the main dealer? Or do I have to start all over again with the main dealer paying there diagnostic fee as well?
Now I'm happy to pay the fee, but not if I have to pay again at the main dealers! I would have more than happily paid halfords to fix it, if they knew what they needed to do, and just feel £50 is a lot of money if I'm no closer to having it fixed.
Thank you

you havent got a honda by any chance? for some reason snap on include the personality key that hondas need