Car trouble. Dealership scam?

[N80]

My son lives in Iowa....1000 miles from me. He has a 2000 Nissan Maxima (only 100k or so miles) that is throwing CEL codes that indicate misfires due to a bad coil. This has happened before and usually the coil gets replaced and the CEL goes off. Six months later the light comes on again, same problem. I sent him some money to just take it to the local Nissan dealership and get if fixed once and for all.

According to my son (who knows less than I do about cars) the dealership told him that all the coils tested normal but that the diagnostic said all cylinders were misfiring and the algorithm indicated replacing all six coils and it would cost $1000.

I told him to decline the work, pay the diagnostic fee and go elsewhere. He was told that they had already replaced some of the coils before they told him the cost. He told them to remove them and paid the diagnostic fee of $100 (it is $80 at the dealership here). Then they refused to give him the itemized bill with the diagnostic on it. He made a fuss and they gave him a copy.

My question: Did we screw up or was he getting scammed?

It just did not sound right to me. Why replace coils that test okay? If the coils are okay shouldn't they be checking further upstream in the ignition system?

 

[MIKE R]

Many dealers try to fix vehicles using the customers money and a trial and error method. They just keep changing parts until something works and charge the customer for all the unessesary new parts and labour.

One would think with todays technology the problem would be easy to find.

 

[kenmac]

Maybe the coils are breaking down when they get hot. Usually, when you get a miss fire the cell will flash. Misfires can be bad for the cat. and need to be repaired asap

 

[N80]

Could be. But this has happened a number of times, for fairly long periods. He does not feel any misfires and no codes from the cat sensor.

I don't know for sure that they were ripping him off but it sure seems that way. In fact, it almost always seems that way these days. And I've had plenty of experience with garages (mostly dealerships) giving my wife the run around but then backing off when I talk with them.

Of course, my son wouldn't be in this pickle if he hadn't dropped out of school and left home. In his defense, he has a steady job with benefits that pays the bills, but just barely. He has never asked for money but I'm not sure he realizes how tenuous his situation is. If the car craps out and he misses a few days of work, he could get fired and then be in a real mess. Sadly, I think many dealerships are willing to take advantage of people in his situation (can't stay employed without a car and don't know enough about cars to cut through the bull and get the right work done at a fair price.)

It seems amazing to me that the ECU in a modern car like his Maxima wouldn't tell you the exact source of a misfire or ignition error. How can this be?

 

[3930dave]

Well, many dealerships have questionable practices, even at the best of times. In many areas, the economy is bad enough that this type of "scorched earth" approach to changing parts is getting all too common.

Any basic pro-level scanner should be able to zero in on a defective coil. Unless Nissan had a bad run of coils (worth cruising a Nissan forum to check), or there was an under-hood fire, it's hard to see all 6 going at the same time. I'd also take the time to source decent aftermarket coils, should price better than OE.

In my area (nowhere near your son, or you) we've seen some rolling misses scan up, on various late model vehicles. Best guess so far is poor quality gasoline. On that note, if that Maxima has a fuel filter, might be worth having him change it now, if not done already. Likely the fuel-filter is due anyway, and a restricted one can cause funny codes, not necessarily noticeable behind the wheel by most folks.

Rgds, D.

 

[RoyJackson]

My question: Did we screw up or was he getting scammed?

I don't think you or your boy screwed up.
As others wrote...it may have been a trial and error diagnosis. Also, remember that the service dept.are profit centers...they'll sell you parts you don't need to enhance their profit.
Also, there is nothing wrong with getting a second opinion...preferably from an independent shop.

 

[Barry 1]

You can buy a code reader on Ebay for less than $20-read your codes and google them on the internet to find out what they mean,or about any parts store will check the codes for you.There are Nissan forums and you will find many people with the same problems,and how they fixed it.You can buy 6 new coils on Ebay for $85 with lifetime warranty!!!
Has he ever changed the spark plugs? If not ,do that first .

 

[kenmac]

if there no codes. Check engine light on or flashing. At 100 K miles,It could possibly just need a tune up. New plugs/plug wires, fuel filter, and possibly injector cleaning. If you had codes , a scan tool would indicate a misfire Ie bank 1,2,3,etc. It won't necessarily tell you it's a coil causing the misfire. You would have to check the coil/ coils to find the defective coil/coils. This car may not have plug wires. On some vehicles,the coil plugs directly onto the plug. Not all,but some are called STEALERSHIPS for a reason

 

[N80]

Thanks guys. Most of the chain auto parts stores will read a code for you for free. He did that and it indicated misfire due to bad coil. It just doesn't tell you which one. I would have expected Nissan's diagnostic computers to tell you which coil but I don't really know what I'm talking about. As mentioned, coils are not that expensive and if he were home I'd buy them and replace them myself.

And I do think the coils attach right to the plug, but not sure.

What I don't understand is why misfires aren't more noticeable. When water got in the distributer cap of my '76 Jeep Cherokee (the absolute nadir of American manufacturing quality) it would backfire loud enough to scare the dickens out of you. Why doesn't his car backfire if it is misfiring and sending unburned fuel through the exhaust? Or maybe it auto-ignites?

 

[Egon]

The trouble getting the diagnostic report that was paid for may be an indication of the service rating of the shop.

Can't help diagnose but would suggest another shop with the proper equipment and Teck's who are familiar with the make of car.

As a side note the dealer handling Toyota products in our town does an excellent job.