Paid for my car to get fix!! Still not right. Coil question

Question

I have a 1998 Toyota 4Runner (104k miles). About 2 weeks ago, I noticed the engine was shaking a bit and then a few days later the Check Engine light went on.

I went to a local shop which I have been to before. They used a thing and plugged into the car and it said Misfire Coil or something to do with that.

So, I ended up paying $575 for a coil, spark plugs and was told I needed some fuel thing as well...

I picked up the car, drove it and was able to tell the next day it was still a little shakey. It would come and go and be barely noticable, but then less than a week after picking it up (and barely driving it) the Check Engine light went on AGAIN!

Took it back to the shop, now I am being told that when I brought it in a week earlier the Check Light that went on showed them that Coil 2 was bad, but now they check and it's a completely different one that went out this time.

Am I being taken for a ride here? Before picking the car up the first time I was told everything was in perfect working order and the engine was great and they checked all the coils and were fine.

What can I do in this situation? I have no proof of which Coil they changed, but I am just so mad.

I went to a couple places to get a second opinion, but they wanted to charge $60-89 to diagnose the problem. I really can't afford to pay that much more after I already paid $575.

OH! WHen I brougt back the car today, they started telling me that a problem may have happened when they "cleaned the engine" using water after I was there the first time.. WHAT?? They said it may have done something to another coil... But of course would never offer to pay and have already quoted me another $200 if I need another coil.

I obviously will not go back to this company again, but I think they have not fixed the problem and should instead of me having to pay another company for another diagnose.

Please help

Answer 1

  Ok.  Calm down.  It sounds like they might have been a bit lazy about doing a spark-ouput test on all the coils.   And they should have used dielectric grease (nonconductive) on the boots of the coils.

  But they were not designed to keep 1000psi of water out of the spark plug holes, either.  You may have filled up one of the holes with water by accident.  It could be that simple.

  They should honor their warranty if they are credible at all, though.  That is.....recheck the system for free to see if they screwwed up, just in case.

  One last thing......avoid chain stores when you need diagnostics done.  They are all about throwing parts at the problem.  (which could have simply been spark plugs)   And the mechanics are paid the lowest possible wage they can get.....so they aren't happy people, either.

Answer 2

Damm!!! They should of at least checked it out for free to tell you the second problem.

Answer 3

It's possible the other coil pak could have gone bad just after the first.

I don't see why they were cleaning your engine, I have never seen a shop do that. Any time you have something replaced on you car ask to see or to have the old parts.Tell them this before they start the work.

Unless there is a core charge on the part, they should have no issues giving them to you.

Coil paks are really not that hard to change if you want to try it yourself. Get a shop manual at your local parts store. They run about $15. If nothing else you can look at the pictures of the parts they should have changed so you know what they are talking about.

Answer 4

The check engine light is probably the biggest scam to rip off car owners. Cars now are complex electronic marvels, which are great when they run, when they stop or have high mileage beware.  There are hundreds of things that can trigger the service light, thus when you fix one thing that does not mean that your car is fixed. Everything on the car is interrelated, thus they display similar drivability symptoms. The only way to diagnose an electronic car is with a scanner, an experienced mechanic and alot of luck. Even the most seasoned mechanic has to guess at a solution, because these cars are so complex. It is not uncommon to fix one thing and another occur, as the problem moves to the next weakest link in the circuit. Unfortunately you have to pay for another diagnostic, because there is no way to guess at it. From my experience once you start to repair an electronic car, your mechanic will become your best friend.

Answer 5

Don't know enough about Toyota's but if I were you I'd call auto zone and ask them how many coils you particular car has. American cars only have one and that's all I'm familiar with. But if toyota's put a coil per side of block if one went out a 6 cylinder wouldn't run with 3 cylinders dead, so unless they put a coil per cylinder then I would not trust this shop.