Call for help

tiger862

tiger862

Joined
Mar 15, 2012
Messages
1,970
Location
PEARL River la
I got a call from my daughter who works in hospitality industry, about a couple that had a problem with a Chrysler 200. Customer stated that after battery replacement vehicle wouldn't start and security lights were on. Since I have a scanner I could use it to get them going and if not then they will call dealership to send someone out to fix vehicle. I declined to go as I told her that people today want free and will blame you. I don't have insurance in case computer is wiped and since I would be last one checking it out it would then be my problem. I only work on my own or mother's Impala for this reason. I suspect battery was installed incorrectly. Am I wrong?
 
Well, its kinda good you are doubting yourself and I see that expression by you making this post.

If I had the time, I would help but only to a certain point. That is called healthy boundaries.
 
Nah, I don't blame you one bit. One time I stopped at a convenience store and a guy with some really janky cables and battery setup asked for a jump. I politely declined. I did immediately buy some of those jump packs for fear of karma...
 
I used to change oil for years for the extended family. No issues but I look back now at brands with known engine problems and most likely I'd be blamed. The folly of youth. I did it for free and they supplied the parts.
 
tiger862 said:
I declined to go as I told her that people today want free and will blame you. I don't have insurance in case computer is wiped and since I would be last one checking it out it would then be my problem.
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That's kinda far fetched. They are going to get a lawyer costing $5,000 or $10,000 because you may have accidentally bricked the computer of a $2-3K car that wasn't running in the first place.
 
atikovi said:
That's kinda far fetched. They are going to get a lawyer costing $5,000 or $10,000 because you may have accidentally bricked the computer of a $2-3K car that wasn't running in the first place.
Click to expand...
They could go the small claims court. That aside ...my car was running great until you worked on it. Every shop has heard that a zillion times. You changed my oil and now my lights won't cone on...lol
 
tiger862 said:
I got a call from my daughter who works in hospitality industry, about a couple that had a problem with a Chrysler 200. Customer stated that after battery replacement vehicle wouldn't start and security lights were on. Since I have a scanner I could use it to get them going and if not then they will call dealership to send someone out to fix vehicle. I declined to go as I told her that people today want free and will blame you. I don't have insurance in case computer is wiped and since I would be last one checking it out it would then be my problem. I only work on my own or mother's Impala for this reason. I suspect battery was installed incorrectly. Am I wrong?
Click to expand...
I'd tell my daughter not to mention me anymore. Politely of course.
 
Would they sue you, or chase you, or blame you? I think most folks wouldn’t if you just put a scanner or a multimeter on to see what is dead. For example, if their alternator has a bad diode, and discharged the replacement battery, and you put a meter on it, finding it was dead, no harm, no foul. It’s not like you’re replacing parts and pulling apart the engine.

There is a fine line though, and some people are real jerks and idiots. Frankly, I’d argue that if your daughter wants to be helpful, she should get a cheap multimeter and OBD II scanner, and this way if someone has an issue, she can lend them for someone to diagnose. You could even teach her how to use them in a rudimentary way.
 
So someone installed a battery and then did not try and start the car? Or the car was started but a little later it won't start. Maybe a defective battery or they left a light on overnight. Bring it to the place that installed the new battery.
 
I won't plug into a strangers OBD. I learned in the Industrial world. We will plug into our controls - tell them they let the smoke out, and even they will sometimes try to say its our fault somehow.

Now I would look at it - with them around - check all the obvious stuff if its not too far out of the way. Most likely the battery cables are corroded or one of the ancillary cables didn't get installed correctly.
 
"I'll do a stranger a favor......and call my Dad."
Sure, you want to help, but some people are truly practiced users. You did the right thing.
This might sound nasty, but Zee09's advice to instruct your daughter to leave you out of such things, is wise.

ME: Early in my driving life, I'd see car owners asking for jumps.
I helped a few in my neighborhood but soon learned knowledgeless slobs with no car maintenance savvy were the ones broken down.

As many have said, "Stupid should hurt". The same goes for those who perennially "don't know anything about cars".
Old car, no repair skills...even a Chrysler 200? Get AAA or learn.
 
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The point of me saying no was someone replaced battery, probably AAA then new battery won't start car. Was told keys need to be programmed to new battery.
 
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It could be anything, for example, when I was in HS and 16, I jump started my buddy's Jetta with my parent's Celica. This caused damage to our vehicle.

German cars had the batteries installed such that the terminals were reversed. Anything is possible. Security lights are on would imply the polarity wasn't or is not reversed.

imho if you don't want to scan the vehicle, why get involved at all? At least in the BMW world, there are two things. Programming, and coding. They require different software. One cannot wipe out the DME while programming. One can with coding. I'm not visualizing a scenario where reading a code wipes out the computer. But what I know is very small and it's altogether possible I guess.
 
tiger862 said:
I got a call from my daughter who works in hospitality industry, about a couple that had a problem with a Chrysler 200. Customer stated that after battery replacement vehicle wouldn't start and security lights were on. Since I have a scanner I could use it to get them going and if not then they will call dealership to send someone out to fix vehicle. I declined to go as I told her that people today want free and will blame you. I don't have insurance in case computer is wiped and since I would be last one checking it out it would then be my problem. I only work on my own or mother's Impala for this reason. I suspect battery was installed incorrectly. Am I wrong?
Click to expand...
Do YOU know this couple really well? No? Then agree 1000%
 
So maybe a decade ago I pulled in to a gas station on one of my long drives along I-95. I was on a schedule and a young many asked me for a jump. He had cables. I told him I really didn't have time (was sort of true) and continued to pump my gas.

He convinced an elderly gentleman in a big, black, new Mercedes - E-class I presume. Battery in the trunk. So the kid is waving this guy to keep backing up - his cables were very short. Back, back back- STOP. Too late - black bumper cover hits the old truck he is trying to boost. Big scrape on the bumper cover -not structural but ugly. Kid immediately tries to rub it off with his hand. 🤦‍♂️

Anyway I felt bad for not doing the jump since the elderly gentleman caused himself an issue. No good deed goes unpunished. I since have purchased a jump pack for this purpose.
 
I have been asked to jump start many modern cars, or to also scan the codes in the OBDII system. My policy is that I will only jump an immediate family member's car and the same use applies with my scan tool. I have had friends ask me to scan codes for them on their cars and I tell them that they can use my tool to do it with me supervising only. I let them plug the tool in and initiate the scan. I then interpret the data that it provides.

Many new cars today that have start / stop systems also have AGM batteries. If you replace the battery you need to match or "register" the new on to the vehicle which can be quite an ordeal. You were wise with your decision making process.
 
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