My latest accident - computer controls and all a little... bit too much

did the BSM work fine after the accident before the shop took the rear bumper apart? at what point was the screenshot of the error warning taken? if the BSM sensors are not connected then i think it would throw the error.

 

Because this bears repeating.

 

This is really what's going on behind the scenes.

 

I've read this whole thread and can honestly say that this dealership will be glad when you're gone. When I was in a similar situation I dropped my truck off at the autobody shop that MY insurance recommended (I was not at fault in this accident). I waited for my truck to be finished. When it was done they called, I went and inspected it, paid my deductible. It took a while for my insurance to subrigate, but I eventually got my deductible back.

 

That's nice, and congrats that it was that easy. I unfortunately find it difficult to work with my own selected Body Shop since they lied about a premise... The Right Side Panel of the Bed is bolted on and they didn't have to cut and weld... which was the premise upon which we were guided to a metal mending that didn't work out (horrible workmanship because it was the rear corner at the taillight). Maybe they didn't lie, maybe it was incompetence. But it brings a lot to question, and that is not a good premise moving forward. Trust is key, and little effort was made to restore trust. Just yesterday, insurance and body shop agreed with me to replace the panel and when I asked that when the "NEW" panel arrives that the shop document the installation / replacement and painting process with pictures to be taken. And that seemed very offensive to the body shop manager... Why? Could be innocent, most likely is- or I should really see the innocence in it and believe in honesty. However, the false premise already set from the beginning on, unfortunately tainted it. The insurance company to the other hand, had a huge come-back turn-around; the former adjuster was for some reason removed and a new adjuster in his place approved everything very swiftly. I think multiple factors may have made this difficult, one of which is certain my past experience with dealership, insurance companies, and body shops... to many prior unfortunate experiences do set the tone... But in my defense, I insist, I didn't start the argument. It's not like I was sitting in my truck and asked for another driver to hit my PARKED truck. I didn't lie to myself about the Bed Panel bolted on instead of welded - that was false information provided by the TOYOTA authorized Body-Paint shop Karl Malone Toyota. I didn't claim to myself that the insurance may put up a fight about the failed heating ECU system, and many other systems as a casual consequence of the BSM ECU malfunctioning. I am just a person that defends his rights and properties.

 

That's interesting, however questionable. I evaluate and reflect constantly. The difference between most people and myself is that I relentlessly can hold my ground immovable. I discuss, consider, and listen to you and others. My self esteem isn't offended by insult. Sure, you are also correct, prior experience creates an expectation. Just today I discussed with a dealership from whom I have purchased many cars over the years because they were wondering why I haven't returned buying again. I reported back to them and told them that corruption and mistrust is rampant and I just don't like to be ripped off any more and therefore I may change my brand loyalties altogether. I made them an offer of $0.15/mile vehicle cost and left it there, because the bottom line is always what we end up paying. Every time I want to buy a new car, the dealership that already knows me, makes me start negotiations from scratch, and as multi-repeat buyer I am just not willing to do that anymore. The same goes for their Body Shop. They wonder why I don't trust them - they asked me "Don't you trust us?" and I said, "that's why I am here and not a Cascade Collision" (another Body Paint Repair Shop). So we can learn, they think I should trust them but they have no obligation to earn my trust. Every single time and with every effort do these automotive thugs try to rip you off. I am just tired of it and that's why I give them hell. Why? Because I can. The American Way! So, this guy you replied too calls me an "asshole". Yep, that's fine, I know I am, and I have, like everyone else here.

 

The insurance approved the entire claim today including the repair of the associated ECU failures. To answer your question, the BSM and other ECU-s malfunctioned AFTER the accident, the BSM computer module fell off, the Radar Sonor fell off - I collected the pieces. The Toyota Service Center repaired everything already and it was covered by the insurance company. The argument put up by the same mis-leader from the shop "that the insurance company won't pay for it", was just as ridiculous as was his expert opinion to repair the dent instead of replacing the whole panel because he said the panel is welded in and cutting out is just more invasive - He should have known and told me like his boss did "What are you talking about? The panel is bolted on, not welded". Some experts are no experts, and when we have to rely on people like that, conflict is created once the truth comes out. There is no recovery for this guy, and that dealership from a multi-thousand dollar misrepresentation. Why did he misinform me? Why did he insist the insurance won't pay for the ECU repair? What is it to the body shop estimator what the insurance will or won't do? ... Unless he is maybe totally incompetent or his hand is in the honey pot somehow.

 

Thank you, everybody, for all comments whichever side you and anyone may have pointed too and/or supported. It was awesome. Sorry if I offended anyone... I am sure I did. It's not that I really want too, but in some instances I felt like I wanted too. The insurance company approved the entire claim. We are not totally through the whole process. Still have to negotiate the "Diminished Value Claim" (arrrrrg.... wish I was a pirate). The shop still has to get in the "NEW" panel, take off the mismangled-badly repaired damaged panel, and I have them take pictures of the process to proof to me that the panel is new (you never know with these guys), And that is it. We are at $10,000 damaged. The Dealership and Body Shop schemed as much as they could (could give a few examples - what's the use), and of course they are all "offended" and hurt they lost my trust. It's going to be fine though. I had to fight for the warranty of the job and I think I am going to be covered sufficiently including the ECU systems - which was really a big deal to me. Best wishes, and may the "TACO BE WITH YOU"!

 

That's exactly why I love this Tacoma World. Thanks for the popcorn.

 

Great to hear they have agreed to and acknowledge your concerns. Sometimes it pays to be a PITA. Thanks for sharing your experience. Maybe there will be hope for others whom may feel they are not getting the service they deserve by reading this thread.

 

I wonder how many times "I need to speak to the manger" was said

 

Just remember, the mailman doesn't deliver on sundays.

 

The shop went ahead and sent the car over to the Toyota Dealership (They are the same business), and the service center diagnosed and fixed it, 2.5 hrs at $159/hr, plus charged the insurance a 25%+ surcharge fee on top and the insurance approved it. The service center explained... complex .... they did some 'grounding - unhooking of the batter and some ohm-resistance work....' it's complicated I don't know how to explain it and wouldn't know how to fix it myself. Apparently, they are saying it's fixed.

 

I was seriously thinking to write the mailman because I am sure he never cheated, like his dealership is trying to scheme. But then again, he probably does not care. It's just an investment to own that dealership and the body shop. Who cares anyway. I am having my way and if in the process it ruffles some feathers, I will hold my ground. Thanks for your comment!

 

I am with you on that. I don't like fighting either. Do I worry to be hated? The guy lied to me from the dealership... or should I believe a Toyota shop really didn't know the panel was bolted? Makes you wonder why they lie or misinform you.... Must be new to the automotive industry.

 

Understood, and "thank you" for your help. You did! Call me an "Equitist"... a person who distributes equity fanatically. I set a relentless higher bear minimum standard called "justice and equity".

 

Update: Hopefully it's final, but more info and feedback reply coming back on Monday Tuesday next week.

Recap, the metal side panel dent repair was not satisfactory. The Toyota Body Shop Expert said it was otherwise too invasive to repair, entailing cutting out the side panel and having to weld-in the new panel. The supervisor / manager of the body shop asked me "What the hell are you talking about? the Panel is bolted in."... upon which i got really mad because the poor repair pos was decided on the false premise based on incompetence - the panel is bolted, not cut/welded. So I demanded a new OEM panel replacement which was approved by the insurance company.

The panel was located at a dealership 400 miles away and then ordered and received within a week. See the pictures below, depicting the truck taken apart, and the panel paint... and all the 'blend' paint.

Today, the Toyota Dealership Body Paint called me and said the truck is finished. A few days ago we had an emotional run-in because I sent an email to them and the insurance company making them aware of my app connective services told me the PRE-COLLISION-System is malfunctioning (which the body shop didn't know about or overlooked until I told them). The body shop called me and yelled at me "You are always making us look like we are incompetent". ME: "Well you are, you are either incompetent or your are intentionally lying"... And I wouldn't know that. And of course we are peace again because I apologized, but they never acknowledged or apologized about their huge incompetence about the panel-cut-weld versus just bolted in ISSUE. I guess they are too good and too important to themselves that keeps them from acknowledging their mistakes. But, I said: "Let's move forward, fix the Pre-Collision-System malfunction"... which was acting up in connection to the Sonar Sensors and the BSM sensor modules (remember, the Heater, Defrost, etc... was already fixed which was also caused by the BSM controls malfunctioning).

Today, in the phone call, the manager told me that they had to replace the MIRRORS. YEP, the freaking MIRROS. You know why, people? And that is or should interest you - exactly my early-on concern about the ECU systems connectivity: They had to replace wire harnesses after they apparently had the BSM sensor module installed and calibrated, that knocked out the Pre-Collision Warning System, that fried an electric harness in the back where the rear cross traffic sonar sensors are (after calibration), which then in turn, once installed, fried the MIRROR ECU controls and required to replace the mirror. So, apparently it all works.

Upon asking and discussing guarantees and warranties, I was told now that there is no lifetime guarantee except for any metal work or rust. The paint materials itself do not have warranty coverage from Toyota, but parts do have a 1 year warranty. Electronics like ECU-s are not under warranty, except for any connectivity issues that can be led back to this accident event...

And that is where you come in with what you think how I can reasonably request a written commitment that the system is now repaired and will not malfunction again... without using hopefully the words "Should be fine".... I want them to put their money where their mouth is.

I called the insurance today and asked, that if I cannot a clear precise guarantee that my truck pertaining to the accident and it's ECU repair work will from hereon out no more experience any ECU related problems, I want the insurance company to total my truck. Of course the insurance company went quasi and calmly ballistic "We would have told you some time ago if the truck was total-ed, not now...". But I asked and they agreed, that come next week they will help to get a clear written response from the dealership about their ECU problem assessment if they thing it will or will never again act up concerning the current recent repair work. The only problem with that is, of how anyone should know in a year from now etc... if an ECU problem then is related to this current event?

I have to admit, It is a grand learning experience and I frankly don't wish it on anyone. It's a bitter-sweet taste picking up my truck, or should I dump the damn truck like a burning piece of coal.

BTW, we are up $11,000 repair. Look at the pictures depicting the damage. You will say "REALLY"? I say "REALLY" myself. Unbelievable.

Thank you for your patience with me. Please refrain from meanness. I don't want to hear meanness please.

 

Why would you think you would receive a “lifetime” guarantee for electrical systems that only get a 3 year warranty brand new? BTW shops typically warranty their work for a period after completion.

 

Before the repair, Karl Malone Toyota Body Paint shop said that they give a lifetime guarantee on all of their work. Now that I am asking for it, they are withdrawing that - bait-switched me into having them do the repair. In fairness, we didn't know this ECU issue could - would happen. Ok, fine... I want them to document in writing the ECU connectivity causal link. At first they argued that they don't see it at all when they at first didn't want to repair my failed heater ECU and so on. They are very reluctant to admit that Tacoma has a problem with the ECU systems connectivity if / when / once a malfunction - interruption takes place. This connectivity is important so they insurance will pay for it - and they are. But what will happen with that if by a chance another malfunction-notification starts popping up and then another one and so...? The connectivity is quite weird but it is a real thing. Selling the truck is of course an option, but it is not right for me to do that to pass the problem to someone else, and frankly I love my tacoma and why should I feel my only way out is selling the truck? I just want a guarantee that it is fixed, and a method to determine liability if and/or when the surge issue continues. Do I make sense? Thanks much!
Thomas