I just had my electrical system checked out, needed a new battery and had that installed. Went to Utah to pick up my daughter and my car ran great, better than ever, getting 25 mpg on the way back. The next day I turned the key in my driveway and had power but no "click". Figured it was my crankshaft position sensor, as this had been replaced by Broadway dodge twice before for over $250. This time I went and bought the part for $54 and put it in myself. But nothing still happened. I had my jeep towed to Broadway again. This time they said they didn't get any codes from the computer but they "thought" it needed a starter and a distributor (because mine had a slight internal oil leak, which I already knew about). I had told the girl go-between that I didn't think that was it... They insisted and stupid me I let them put those in. Still nothing... They talked me into letting them open my timing gear/chain cover to look for some damage. My engine is a rebuilt with around 30,000 miles on it... Shouldn't be any timing gear damage or slippage as it's a chain with metal sprockets. Not to mention that I had told them of my recent check up and trip and how the problem indicated an electrical, not mechanical problem. After letting them do this, the tech told me to my face that he changed my timing 180 degrees but the bill I received in the mail only says that my timing was "adjusted". After that it would only backfire and flood the plugs.By the 21st of Sept. I gave up... They were telling me my fuel was bad, my CO sensor needed to be changed and my catalytic converter was plugged up. I had it towed to Pep Boys (big mistake). They said it was a over fueling problem and they couldn't do anything about it. I will say at least they didn't charge me, but why I have to wonder. Broadway Dodge billed me for over $1300 and only made my problem worse. I then had it towed to Denver Engine and Transmission who had installed the rebuilt. They found my timing out by 160 - 180 degrees. But when it was re-set correctly it still wouldn't start. Also, they rechecked everything Broadway had already checked. And they charged my over $900 even though they said they wouldn’t bill me for the “work” they did that didn’t resolve anything. My first inclination was that the ECM must be bad but Broadway Dodge didn't even mention my computer. I ended up ordering my own rebuilt ECM from a separate company and took it to Denver Engine. The first one didn't work, the second one I received from the company did. I got my car back the week of Christmas. I had made the mistake of not seeing the car in between these 3 places. Which is why I don't know who set my engine compartment on fire, melting plastic and blackening my hood liner, who broke out the engine compartment light fixture or who left unwrapped and slightly nicked wires hanging out. When I got my jeep back from Denver Engine I found out later that they had cut my exhaust (to check my catylitic converter which was ok) and re-welded it badly and it banged all over when I drove it home. I had to then take it to the original muffler place, Mighty Muffler, who fixed it up for me on Christmas Eve. They found my catalytic converter to be fine, but my muffler, which wasn't very old, was blown out from all the backfiring caused by the mistiming. And the baffles were all blown lose. I had to replace my muffler. Two days ago I ended up having to replace all four idler arm bushings because for some reason they were all bad. And while looking under my car today I noticed that my frame looks like it landed on a rock while four wheeling … I have never taken this off road. Maybe that was the “observation” of the vehicle that Denver Engine wanted to do when they kept it through the weekend … even though they had it running. Just a fun experience with any of these folks. The whole thing, this wonderful experience with honest hardworking people cost me over $3000. Doesn’t sound like much unless you’re retired like I am. I didn't have my car from the beginning of Sept. Until the week of Christmas. Today is Feb 04 and my car won't start. It's cranking and is acting just like the crankshaft position sensor is bad. I think I might just take my 357 out to my driveway and shoot it right in the block... I've been raped and abused by people who are out there, in business, not giving a crap about what they do to us or how they affect our lives. All they're worried about is the bottom line. Maybe they just wanted me to buy a new car? From them? Never! I've had it and this will be posted for the other businesses as well.
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