OMG, horrible dealer trip..key fob/window

Joined
17 March 2006
Messages
736
Location
Houston, TX
K, so my drivers side window goes up slow making a dunt...dunt....dunt...dunt.dunt.dunt noise as it goes up. I ordered the grease that Honda recommends to put on the track. I called Gillman Acura of North Houston, and spoke with the service manager who said they could fix the problem for free, unless the door panel had to be removed which would cost $115.

I get there, and a different guy comes out with a can of WD-40, puts my window down and starts spraying in into each side, telling me that if it makes it down to the run channel it should solve the problem. Well after 5 minutes and the noise still going and WD40 all over my window, he tells me that it sounds like the regulator is about to break so no need in taking off the door panel to clean it, just wait til it breaks and bring it back!!!!!!! :eek: He then tells me it wouldn't be worth $175 to take the panel off to clean it....$175 all day long he tells me.

Next: I go inside with the same guy and tell him I want to order a new key fob. He disappears into the back and comes back after about 7 minutes. Here is exactly what he said: "Go somewhere else!". My mouth just dropped. He then said that they would have to remove the glove box (1993 model) to get to the number they need, that they would charge me $250 to take it out, and since I have an older model car, the plastic will probably break???? He said to go somewhere else and have an AM alarm installed. He started to say something about he could teach me how to arm the system with just the key but I was so mad I just left....

I was so furious I couldn't even speak. I just got in my car and left.

The only good news of the day was
1) I went to get my hair cut and a MEGA ultra holt blonde working there asked if it was my car, and when I said yes, she said it was beautiful and would like a ride sometime.
2) When I came out from getting my hair cut, there were a bunch of 15/16 year olds on skate boards and one of them yelled out, "NSX?" and I responded, "Yeah", and he yelled in front of about 10 people, "Oh My GOD".

Anyway, anyone with advice on the window regulator? Should I go else where? I read on here one guy paid $25 to get his done at a dealer.
What about the key fob? Do they really have to take the glove box out?
 
I've had bad experience with spraying the WD-40 down the sides...for some reason it dries out the lithium grease (this is what you really have to do) on the tracks. Removing the door panel is very, very easy. I suck at fixing/DIY car stuff, but I've removed the door panel numerous times (greasing tracks, blown amp replacement and etc).

The mechanic could be right about the pastic though (this includes the door panel). With a car this old, small plastic parts might snap, but this doesn't really matter on the door panel...I just used some plastic/nylon washers. Besides you won't see these...they'll be covered by the door weather seal.

Atleast he didn't attempt to fix it and ended up snapping all the tabs around your dash...I think that would have pissed you off even more.:biggrin:
 
I called up a dealer to get a key fob and they told me to get an AM one as well.
 
johnny010 said:
Anyway, anyone with advice on the window regulator? Should I go else where? I read on here one guy paid $25 to get his done at a dealer.
What about the key fob? Do they really have to take the glove box out?

That will be me. The dealer is Acura of Omaha here in Omaha Nebraska. Only about 12hours ride away:biggrin:
But seriously, I think you should make some stink about it. I think you should write a letter to Acura and the dealership and see what they're gonna do about it. I think Acura does generally care about the kind of service that their customers get. A week after I brought the car in, someone from Acura actually called and did a survey on how satisfied I am with the dealership, and then the dealership service manager also sent a card.
Technically, there's been many threads posted before, if you do a search on "window", you should see lots of discussion on it. Some guys just DIY, some like me just send it to the shop, since the mechanic most likely will do a faster job than I do, and my hourly charge is probably higher:rolleyes:
Mine was just slow, not clunking, so I know it just need lubricated. But it could be little plastic "thingie" or worst if the regulator is really dying, in which case, it is a $200-300 job I believe.

More importantly, did you get the phone number of the blonde?!:biggrin: Maybe she can help wipe the grease off you:biggrin: ....I mean your car:biggrin:
 
If you think that taking the door panel apart maybe too much for you try going to a car stereo shop who does it day in and out and ask them how much they will charge you to take the door panel off and just grease the track for you. Im sure it will still be under a $100 for the two doors and chances are they will even have spare tabs there if they break your old ones.

Just make sure you bring the right grease with you and be specific about what you want done.
 
Pilot: great idea. will be finding a stereo shop next week. must have been something in the air today, I called a tint shop at 2pm and asked if he had time to tint my windows and his answer was straight up "No!". Normally, people butter up their answers a little......lol.

As for the dealer, I guess they just didn't want the job.

And I'd probably still rather spend $250 to remove the glove box and $100 for the fob use the alarm that is installed already.
 
the keyless entry module is located in the lower dash area in front of the passenger seat. No need to remove glove box,just the lower panel. it's held in by 2 phillips head screw, Takes 3 min. max. Don't go to stereo shops for window regulator lube, most shops will not have the knowledge to know exactly where to put the lube. Try another dealer or independent Acura specialist.
 
EIFFEL said:
the keyless entry module is located in the lower dash area in front of the passenger seat. No need to remove glove box,just the lower panel. it's held in by 2 phillips head screw, Takes 3 min. max. <snip>
good tip, thx.
 
Taking the door panel off is super easy. As long as you take your time you should be able to have the panel off in about 5-10 minutes. I have no idea why they told you they have to take the glove box out since the brain for the keyless entry module is usually accessible from the passenger floorboard. :confused:
 
You need to read the FAQ section on Troubleshooting ==> Power Windows to understand how to lube them and also whether you need to install the window fix-it thingies to prevent having to replace the regulator.

That dealer sounds terrible! I would tell you to go to Brad at AutoLogic but there's a topic in the SouthCentral forum saying that Brad is leaving there...
 
If the car had a 145 point inspection at an Acura dealer before I purchased it, and they did not mention that the drivers door needed a new regulator, what are the chances I can get this done free of charge. Their mistake. The inspection was done to notify me of anything that would be necessary maintenance on the car before purchasing it. This looks like it is going to cost me $600.

Thanks again,
JM
 
johnny010 said:
If the car had a 145 point inspection at an Acura dealer before I purchased it, and they did not mention that the drivers door needed a new regulator, what are the chances I can get this done free of charge.
Zero, because your car does not need a new window regulator. Not yet, anyway.

Just get the window fix-it thingies ($20) and install them in your car (yourself, if you like), and use the proper urea grease to lube the windows properly. Then you won't have to worry about the regulators failing (which, if it happens, WILL mean you have to get a new regulator, and WILL mean you will be paying hundreds of dollars for it).
 
That sucks. Anyhow, please post a picture of that hot blonde that cut your hair for us:biggrin: :biggrin:
 
Sorry, but I recommend a good aftermarket alarm too. Even if you didn't need a FOB, I would recommend it...especially since immobilizer didn't start until 97. Just go someplace reputable and make sure to tell them not to drill a hole for the LED.
 
1993 does not need window fix it thingy... I believe from the search I did. I have a 1993.
 
From my research, some 1993's are upgraded with the better parts from the factory, and some are not. I checked around on this for a while. NOT ALL 1993 models are fail safe.

JM
 
You should send a letter to Acura. I got free floor mats out of my letter once!

You should bang the blonde against the door panel and that should fix it.

Quickies with blondes are awesome!
 
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