car has been at a garage for 3 weeks and work has not started.

[stinkydogfilms]

I bought the wagon from Pirranah, the one that used to be Bernie's. I took it to a garage to have the headlights fixed and then inspected.
This is what happened.
I need to never let anyone else work on my car, except me. However I cannot do state ordered inspections.

I left my car at an auto repair facility to get the headlights working and to get it inspected. This was 3 weeks ago.

Evrry 5 days they keep saying we will start work on it tomorrow
As of yesterday, they have done nothing.

I am picking it up this afternoon and am expecting it to not be worked on again.
Something tells me they are going to try and be difficult for no reason.

If they refuse to give me my car, is there a Texas state department that regulates auto repair facilities I can call and make them give me my car back?

[stinkydogfilms]

Got the car back. It's a 90 Mercury wagon.
Had to go in and pretend like I thought they fixed it.
I said how much do I owe you?
"Oh, your car is finished?"
No, I am here to take it home.
I have to do the work myself.
They said but we're not finished.
I said I am going to do the work myself. How much do I owe you?
They said "you owe nothing"
We have the parts and can fix it.
I said no thanks. I will pay you for the parts and anything you have done. They declined my offer to pay.
I do not trust anyone working on these older cars. I think its probably too easy for a shop to get a mechanics lean and keep or sell your car.

I now have temporary plates on the wagon and will enjoy doing the work myself.

I just have to remember to stay away from auto repair facilities and do it myself.

[DerekTheGreat]

They're not all that bad, trouble is finding a good shop. That's the part that will drive you up a wall. Stuff takes time and I've always found that when it comes to electrical stuff, shops usually need more time. Three weeks is crazy but the shop I trust often takes a week or more to get to our stuff. They've had the GMC for over three weeks now and I doubt they've started on it. Prices are really good and they don't f other stuff up in the process or sell me crap I don't need so I'm ok with that. Only other option is dealer. When I bought my Colorado I took it to the dealer for service and only the dealer. Screwed my car up and caused paint damage over the three years I had it. Been taking my cars to this independent shop for about 6 years now and none of that.

[gadget73]

Its hard getting people to work on an older car. It can get into more than book hour rates for one, and I think also that some mechanics may just not remember how to work on them. There are also age problems that quite honestly many people have never had to deal with. Electrical stuff gets bitchy with old age, and I've found that many many mechanics are flat out terrible when it comes to diagnosing electrical issues. Often its electrical gremlins that get treated to the "throw parts at it until it works or you go broke" repair method.

[DerekTheGreat]

I concur with that statement. The shop I throw stuff at is full of FOWG's (Fat Old White Guys) and has been founded by & owned by the same dude for over 30 years. Some things he flat out refuses to do, like cruise control. Didn't want to take the GMC either but it's not like the stealership would find the problem either. When I bought the Colorado I sold my Ranger to my brother who drove it for several years and developed the issue where it would just stall out while driving and would crank until the cows came home. Come back after ~10-30 minutes and it would fire right up. He was convinced only a dealer could find the issue but I insisted he take it to the shop I know. Shop couldn't get the truck to do it so my brother took it to the dealer who assured my brother they could find it but they couldn't find the issue either. If I had to guess it was the fuel pump or relay or something between. Engine only needs three things to run, fuel, air and spark. It was getting plenty of spark & air. I was happy to see that truck go though, was sad watching my brother destroy it with neglect.

[dmccaig]

Dear Panthers,
Some years ago, when I brought my wagon to the body shop to remove the vinyl, do body work and paint it ($2200 - it'd be more now), they didn't get to work on it and didn't get to work on it and somebody just got fired and somebody's wife just died until finally I went in and said, I was coming in next Monday to take it to someone else. Can't really blame them: stripping vinyl isn't my idea of fun.

I've got a good mechanical shop (and they've added a body shop that gets my work). I know them, they know the car and if I don't need it right away I say so and if I need it Friday I say that too. They have trouble with the mods - went nuts finding the right pads for the big brake 16in conversion, but they've done some mods too - they wired up my new instrument panel.

I'd rather have scott do all my work (and there's some work ONLY Scott can do)but he's five hours away which is okay for - say - an engine swap (or those peugot seats I want installed one day) - but not good for Brake pads or routine tuneups.

I bought one of those Magiceye gadgets (senses drifting out of lanes, too close to the car ahead etc) and getting that installed is going to be difficult. The expert installer (ie, the guy with the computer program) is 4 hours away and he don't want to work with the modded wiring in the Shooting Brake. When I get to it (after the engine swap) I'll have the unit wired up down here by mechs that did it and bring it up to the expert for the final touches (Provided he's willing).

Tain't always easy keeping a 25 year old car equipped like a brand new Navigator but I's hate to buy a step stool to get into my car.

Donald

[johnunit]

If I were to farm out any electrical or engine work, I'd probably seek out a classic or mustang specialist. At this point someone who does musclecar or foxbody mustangs will have more relevant experience than someone working on 21st century cars all day

[DerekTheGreat]

If Scott wasn't so far away my car would be HO equipped already.

[Lincolnmania]

it's tough working on old cars, they always need way more work than what was estimated
they could have at least checked it out and gave you an estimate in a timely manner.

[gadget73]

yeah, there is always a surprise with an old car, especially ones that are modified. I pity anyone who wants to work on my car besides me. Half the parts aren't stock, the wiring is messed with all over the place, and there are various semi-hidden repairs.

[GM_Guy]

I am not looking forward to the day my mechanic closes shop. He knows carbs, isn't afraid to pull out a welder and weld up a crack, has a knack for coming up with solutions to atypical problems. Always honors appointments (I usually stay and get dirty in the bay to). Isn't afraid to tackle anything.

Alex.

[stinkydogfilms]

Yes Scott they could have. When I dropped it off, I requested that they change the headlights from the HID back to stock and asked that they install a toggle switch for the electric fan. That's all. The fan does not turn off, ever. I figured it would be easy money for someone. Better than me working in the upper 90 degree weather here at the time.

They said they were ordering another controller for the fan and some kind of relay. We had the 91 GM's motor mounts replaced and body work done there and my wife's Grand Caravan had motor mounts, transmission mount, torque mount, water pump, cat converters, and alternator replaced as well as changed the oil, transmission and rear fluid in both vehicles.
They also replaced a window motor in the GM. Over all they got 3500-3800 from us in two visits. I was okay with that because I thought I found a good repair shop. I don't mind paying high for labor as long as the work is done correct. I even tipped the owner for the work done on the GM, enough to take his family for a good meal.

I was hoping to surprise my wife and kids with the wagon when they got back from vacation. I was even going to let them farm out the paint job. I have a couple of Subaru's. One is an 86 Brat and an 84 highly lifted wagon, I was going to let them work on as well as a couple of more old Fords. They lost a lot of money from me because of this. At my age I thought it is better to let someone else do the hard work so I more time to enjoy. Now I have learned my lesson. BTW the work I was trying to avoid, mostly because of the heat (the headlights and the fan) will now have to be done by me in 103-106 degree weather next week.

[Rodentkiller]

I hate working in 100 plus degree heat and some things I can't do due to too many nosy naghbors ugg so I found a reliable shop to work on my car. Yes it is hard to find a reliable shop you might try and get the stealership to refer you to a good shop.

[Mainemantom]

I think you did the right thing to take the car out of the shop. Good mechanics are very hard to find. As soon as you find one that is good at one thing, he may not be good at something else. After eight years here, I still do not have one mechanic to do most things right. I have to put up with 2nd,3rd or whatever best. I hate it ! Can't argue with anyone either. Can't show them facts in the shop manual because now I am the bad know it all person. Got to pay for their "time" though. Paint and body shops are the same. If they have not started a job within a week, take it out. They will put it off and off and off. Each time the quality goes down.
Best way is your way if at all possible.

[gadget73]

I tried to have my car aligned once. Got it back and it drove funny. I looked at the printout and saw that only the toe was adjusted. Caster and camber were the same before and after, and nowhere near spec. I brought the book along when I went back to complain about it and he said "those numbers in the book don't mean anything". I took my business elsewhere.