$1035.00 O2 Sensor

JDAM · January 28, 2009

Took my 2004 GMC Sierra to the dealer for the instrument cluster issue in my case the gas gauge was reading well above full and not returning to zero I already know it’s the gauge because the range reading on the DIC is correct.

They tell me to make an appointment and bring it back I tell them no! I need a tech to see it while it was actually malfunctioning because the problem was intermittent and the dealer had already refused to replace it once before.

Reluctantly the service manager takes a look and says that he has to scan the instrument cluster before he can order a replacement. He scans the truck and orders the part and sets up an appointment.

The bad news less than 24 hours after dealer scanned my truck the check engine light comes on (cycling between steady and flashing) with rough idle and ODB code P0300 random misfire. The misfire only occurred after engine was warm (closed loop) and there were no other codes.

It takes the tech 5 hours to diagnose the problem. He advises me that an O2 sensor NTB replaced and that I need to clean the plenum, flush the injectors and change the plugs/wires. Total repair bill $1035.00 for an O2 sensor. I ok the repairs.

BTW the diagnosis was a split between the left and right bank O2 sensors.

My question is it possible that the dealer induced the failure or is this just a strange coincidence? When he scanned the instrument cluster the truck was in the bay about 30 minutes.

jrrod2004 · January 28, 2009

it is possible for the dealership to mess with anything they want. hell all that they would have to do is 'turn off' one of your modules through the BCM and cause the service light to come on. I am not saying that they actually did it, but I point it out because the one dealership that actually did it was Potamkin Cadillac Buick Chevrolet Mitsubishi GMC Saab Hummer down in New York was a bad dealership. If you dont believe me, read it for yourself:

http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/2..._rise__fed.html

They 'claimed' that it was only two mechanics, but our DVM out there actually found customer Hummers and Cadillacs that were in for service being used by the dealership personnel to store the drugs. I know that some dealerships have come up with 'questionable' diagnosis over the years. I would have probably gotten a second opinion though.

JDAM · January 28, 2009

Reminds me of the DeLorean story.

The light did not come on until the next day after about 20 miles of driving.

I pulled the code myself P0300.

Though I would let the dealer give it a try since the truck needed to go back for the instrument cluster.

Also I was hoping the problem was be covered under the emissions warranty I should have read the fine print only the cat and ECM are still covered.

As far as I know there are no data logs that can be pulled from the computer that would indicate any tampering.

Draenor · January 28, 2009

Total repair bill $1035.00 for an O2 sensor. I ok the repairs.

There is your problem. Even is the dealership raped you on the sensors, you paid $150(gestimate) an hour for labor. That is ridiculous!

JDAM · January 28, 2009

Actually, it was 92.00 an hour but getting raped by the dealer isn’t the question.

Is it possible to extract data files or event logs from the ECM? What I’m trying to figure out is possible to prove it was sabotage.

D&SYukonDenali · January 28, 2009

How many miles on the vehicle? O2 sensors usually last between 100k - 150k miles. Might just be coincidence if your mileage is up there.

Or, maybe not on purpose, but on the lift they could have pulled, shook or damaged the connection with the pre-cat O2 sensor. I know when I replaced these on my BMW, the wires ran up from sensor to the top portion of the engine, held in place by plastic clips and the connect was held together by plastic clips. Not sure where they are on these trucks, but I'd assume similar.

JDAM · January 28, 2009

25000 Miles

D&SYukonDenali · January 28, 2009

I'll go with they damaged something.

DBVille · January 28, 2009

A very good tech/computer tech might be able to figure it out. Might. The tech would have to be very familiar with the ECUs and software to interrogate them.

Cleaning the plenum, injectors and replacing the plug wires is all, most likely, added work that did not need to be performed, or you could have easily done yourself.

At this point, it is very, very unlikely you could get a case to standup. Besides, things do "happen". 25,000 miles is very low for an '04, and age can kill sensors and such as well as mileage.

KCXLT · January 28, 2009

I had an O2 sensor go in my 04 Avalanche at 16,000km. Seemed to happen after going through some deep puddles on a flooded road.

Z45 · January 28, 2009

The reason they scanned your cluster was to get the vin and mileage info so the new one could be programmed with the correct mileage and VIN. The chance this caused problems is 1 in a million at best.

JDAM · January 29, 2009

I understand why he scan the instrument cluster before ordering a replacement and I don't believe that caused the failure. I work in aerospace and I'm well aware that anything can fail at any time also I have witnessed numerous maintenance induce failures.

I'm more concerned about the fact that a dishonest shop can disable a module and induce a failure without the customer ever knowing he's been had.

I take it this isn't something I can do with an off the shelf scanner and a laptop.

sno · January 29, 2009

BTW the diagnosis was a split between the left and right bank O2 sensors.

What does that mean? Did you have a wiring problem or were there two bad O2 sensors? Or something else?

98 Z71 SLT · January 29, 2009

You got ripped.

Your bill should be $0.00

Your 0-2 Sensor falls under Emissions Warranty 8 year 80,000 mile coverage. Believe me, the dealer can get this fixed for $0 if he wants to.............

I'd be on the phone with a GM rep ..................