Pennsylvania Auto Mechanic Issue

[AutoAdviceSeeker]

I had an issue with my mechanic. I took my car in earlier this month for a state inspection and oil change. I have heard mixed reviews about this mechanic so I "forgot" to mention that my one windshield wiper wasn't working - something that is standard for an inspection. My car passed the inspection with the broken wiper. Furthermore, the oil change light is on now, as is the service engine soon light and my car is puttering - which admittedly could be a coincidence. I contacted the owner of the shop. He was very aggravated and claims that the window wiper was checked and it must have broken from the ice and snow we recently had, the oil light simply needed to be reset and the service engine soon light and driving issues must just be a coincidence - which is possible, I don't know much about cars. He suggested (over the phone) that I come in and they will fix the windshield wiper, diagnose (but not fix) the service engine soon light and reset the check engine light for free. I also know that he gives random discounts when you pay in cash. What do you guys think I should do? Should I go in, have that taken care of, find a new mechanic moving forward and otherwise leave well enough alone? Should I report him to the state and federal government? Should I post honest reviews online about this? Should I just go to another mechanic amd take him to small claims court and if so for what? And if I do any of this, should it be before or after going there?

 

[AutoAdviceSeeker]

@ShyCat Pennsylvania

 

[Zigner]

Why did you delete your first post?

What do you think there is to "go after" the mechanic for? Your car passed. The mechanic has offered to fix your windshield wiper, which they don't even have to do. The mechanic has offered to diagnose the additional problems that have developed. Furthermore, the mechanic is free to give "random discounts" at his discretion.

I really don't see what your beef is...

Oh, and don't post reviews - what are you going to say? That he offered to help you out when you had concerns?

 

[AutoAdviceSeeker]

@Zigner I didn't delete any comments - not that I am aware of anyhow. As for my issue, don't you find it rather strange that the one thing I didn't tell them about also happened to be the one thing they supposedly forgot to check and that I am having all these issues all of the sudden after going there?

 

[Zigner]

@Zigner I didn't delete any comments - not that I am aware of anyhow. As for my issue, don't you find it rather strange that the one thing I didn't tell them about also happened to be the one thing they supposedly forgot to check and that I am having all these issues all of the sudden after going there?

The forum has a bug that sometimes deletes posts when they are edited, so that's a non issue.

As for the car: If they missed the wiper then they missed the wiper. They didn't break it, why should they fix it for free? And the other problems with the car...I don't really find it strange. Cars work until they don't, and then the light comes on. That doesn't mean the shop did anything wrong. It's merely a coincidence.

 

[AutoAdviceSeeker]

As I said, I thought that it could be a coincidence. I don't know much about this stuff so I decided to stop in and get some free advice. Thanks!

 

[not2cleverRed]

1) Be glad that your car passed inspection.

2) Yes, it's a coincidence.

3) Go elsewhere for actual service, as you do not trust this guy.

Auto inspections are regulated by Pennsylvania. If you wished to file a complaint, do so with PennDOT.

Wiper blades are very easy to replace. Go to a local auto supply place, and look up what kind you car needs. If the employees aren't helpful, go to a different place where they are. If it's the actual mechanism that's not working, then go to a repair place/mechanic.

The local independent mechanic can run a computer diagnostic on what's causing the "check engine" light to go on, but he cannot necessarily fix it. That may require a specialist or the dealership to remedy.

You made allegations before editing that the mechanic alleged gives breaks to those that pay in cash. While that is illegal, if it is done to avoid taxes, I strongly suggest that you not traffic in rumors.

P.S. I too noticed this thread's brief disappearance.

 

[quincy]

1) ...P.S. I too noticed this thread's brief disappearance.

When an original poster edits his original post, the entire thread becomes "invisible" until the editing is completed and changes to the post are "saved." Once edited, the entire thread, with all of the previous responses made to it, becomes visible again.

This appears to be a new "quirk" with the forum updates. It is similar to the old "soft deletes."

So ... if you think a thread has been deleted, it could just be undergoing an edit and might reappear.

 

[not2cleverRed]

When an original poster edits his original post, the entire thread becomes "invisible" until the editing is completed and changes to the post are "saved." Once edited, the entire thread, with all of the previous responses made to it, becomes visible again.

This appears to be a new "quirk" with the forum updates. It is similar to the old "soft deletes."

So ... if you think a thread has been deleted, it could just be undergoing an edit and might reappear.

Another quirk is that, if you have not completed your post before the editing process begins, only the part entered after that gets lost when you submit.

Anyway, I don't understand what AAS wants to go after the mechanic for, monetarily. There is no proof that the mechanic damaged her car. AAS should take the car in to another mechanic for an evaluation of what is wrong, if AAS truly believes that the mechanic that inspected the car damaged it. Inspections in most states are brief, and don't require taking anything apart.

 

[AutoAdviceSeeker]

Update: I took my car in earlier. I showed him the video I had of the wiper not working, along with the weather forecast for the month - proving that the snow and ice happened AFTER I contacted him and not before, since he claimed that it had to have haopened after and I was just trying to blame them for it. He fixed the wiper, but claims that the oil light can't be reset (ever) and that the service engine soon light is because of a thermostat, which doesn't explain the thumping at all...

 

[Zigner]

So?

 

[NeilTheCop]

Check your cars handbook, most will tell you how to reset the oil change light. By the 'service engine soon' light to you mean the 'check engine light'? They are very different.

 

[AutoAdviceSeeker]

Check your cars handbook, most will tell you how to reset the oil change light. By the 'service engine soon' light to you mean the 'check engine light'? They are very different.

No it says "Service Engine Soon."

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

What is the make, model and year of the car?

 

[AutoAdviceSeeker]

2005 Pontiac Grand Am