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Chandler, AZ Car Consumer Discussions

Re: 1996 A6 Electrical Gremlins [jkaudia6]

by chandler661 on Sat Dec 05 08:19:01 PST 2009

Hey JKAudiA6, Thanx for the quick response. I was hoping I didn't write too much. I'll cut too the chase and answer some questions. First, just to clarify, "head unit" is another term for CD receiver because it controls everything for the stereo. The capacitor is used between the battery and the amplifier in the power chain. It's used to supply extra juice to the amp when the music needs an extra boost as not to drain the battery all the time. When you run high power (big watts), the lights will dim or blink. Using a capacitor will alleviate the problem as long as it's sufficient enough for the wattage, aka Farad size. 1 Farad per 1000 watts. I stated that because it's part of the electrical system now and is usually the first thing mechanics will question for electrical problems. I know how to wire a stereo, but factory wiring diagnostics can be confusing and daunting. I ruled that out because no matter how loud it plays, there is no draw on the meter. The meter shows a drop with or without the stereo connected. I do believe the car has a shifter safety switch. My wife leaves it in drive all the time and I try to start it not realizing it's still in drive and nothing. So I think that answers your question. The car calls for 600-650 amps and the first battery I installed was rated @ 700 amps and the 2nd is 750. I do believe they are both sufficient. I swapped them out after the one that came with the car just to rule it out. I contemplated changing the alternator for a while, but decided not to for 2 reasons. 1, they are ridiculously expensive. 2, I figured that the car will draw power, naturally, when stuff is on. But I also figured that if the alt was bad, it wouldn't charge the system back once the car was back under power. Every time, the meter would go back up. If the alt was bad, it would continue to draw off the battery til it was out of juice, right?? I didn't want to just start replacing stuff until ti was fixed and I'm out a couple grand. The dash has a series of gauges: tach, speedo, warning lights, fuel, coolant temp, clock, oil temp, and volt meter (last three above the center stack). The S6 has all the same, just a different color. I also have a volt meter on the capacitor for the stereo and for the amp. Both are digital and always read the same #s as each other and the analog meter on the dash. The car has one serpentine belt for everything. I replaced that in the beginning of the summer. I also replaced the timing belt and tensioners. Battery cables are ok. There's no corrosion, breakage, and they're bolted tight to the terminals. The thing is that it's done the same thing with three different batteries. I replaced the one that came with the car because it wouldn't take a charge anymore. I bought a new one and nothing changed. I then swapped it for the one in the S. Same thing. So I'm ruling out the battery. Yesterday freaked me out and I actually thought the transmission was shot. Another question: what does the oil pressure waring light have to do with anything? Is there possibly a circuit that tripped that and stopped the engine?? Don't worry @ confusing me with anything. Actually talking about sensors might be appropriate hear seeing how sensors are electrical. Maybe the oil pressure sensor is faulty or something along that circuit. I appreciate your time and trying to resolve my issue. Get back to me if you have anything else. I just don't want to spend 3 bills on an alternator and still have the same problem. Hope to hear from you soon. Chandler

Re: RX 350 purchase [tmacb3]

by az602 on Sun Nov 01 21:44:33 PST 2009

tmachb3: Bell Lexus is the same dealer that didn't honor their coupon (see my post above). I have written letters to the BBB and State Attorney General to document my experience there. I ended up purchasing at Lexus of Chandler.

rx confusing

by tmacb3 on Sun Nov 01 16:33:39 PST 2009

Confusing... "Turned out we saved about $1500 buying the car at another dealership (Lexus of Chandler). We ended up purchasing our Lexus from Superstition Springs Lexus (Mesa Arizona)." Yea, it is confusing the way I wrote it. What I meant was that the sales rep who waited for four days to get back to me was from Chandler Lexus, We saved about $1500 going with Superstition Springs Lexus. Sorry.

Re: RX 350 purchase [tmacb3]

by sanish on Sun Nov 01 15:33:35 PST 2009

Confusing... "Turned out we saved about $1500 buying the car at another dealership (Lexus of Chandler). We ended up purchasing our Lexus from Superstition Springs Lexus (Mesa Arizona)." Enjoy your RX...I'm waiting for some incentives on 2010 model when 2011 model arrives in Feb-March. Bell and Arrowhead Lexus seems to be the worst dealers in sales and service and both are owned by the same group, I suppose.

RX 350 purchase

by tmacb3 on Sun Nov 01 13:02:04 PST 2009

Purchased a 2010 AWD rx350. MSRP was $48,669. Paid $44,384 before taxes and fees. I shopped three cities (in person visits, San Diego, Phoenix and Las Vegas). The difference in how we were treated and how much the dealership would deal was striking. Worst experience (how we were treated) was Bell Lexus in Phoenix. Specifically, it was obvious from the time we walked into the door that we were not the usual Lexus customer (i.e. trying to negotiate best deal and not taking their automatic $2000 discount off of MSRP). Several times the sales rep brought up concerns regarding identity theft as they made several requests for our identification (email address, driver lic numbers, two requests for home address verification). Numerous references to "those people" who only purchase and drive "domestic" cars (ironically, they would include Toyota and Nissan in that discussion). We were in the show room for about three hours. After about 2 hours, we had to ask for water. They brought two paper cups of water with ice in them. Lexus of Las Vegas treated us ok but would not budge from $2250 off MSRP. Kearny Mesa Lexus (San Diego), treated us very well (Ask for Pat) , but would not agree to come down to my request of $4,500 off MSRP. Regard to Calf dealships, the doc fee's by state regulation is only $55 compared to an unlimited fee by the dealerships in Ariz. Make sure when you are in your final stage of negotiation that inquire about this. Worst sales rep phrase, "Don't let price get in your way to buy this car" (Pat, Kerny Mesa Lexus). Biggest mistake a sales rep made: I told the rep what we would pay for the car, minus our trade in. Rep indicated that he had the car, sounded like they could do the deal but, would call back to verify trade in amount. Didn't call back for four days...we were on our way to purchase our Lexus from another dealer as he left the message on our home phone...he had my cell #. Turned out we saved about $1500 buying the car at another dealership (Lexus of Chandler). We ended up purchasing our Lexus from Superstition Springs Lexus (Mesa Arizona). Contacted the internet sales rep (James). Did all the negotiation via phone and email. They were able to provide a trade in price for our car ( we supplied vin #, Milage, general condition and a few pics). Walked in, everything was ready for us to sign. They did just what they said they would. One of the best car buying experiences! Just a few notes: Superstition Springs was by far the highest on their doc fees ($689). However, they provided us a trade in allowance that was significantly higher than anyone else (by a few thousand). This more than made up the difference in the higher doc fees and not getting quit the $4500 off the invoice. Moral to the buying experience; take your time, do your homework, know what you want and what you will pay, shop several different stores, and please don't buy the extended warranty (undercoating, paint seal etc.) that the finance manager will try to sell you at the end of the deal (yes, Superstition Springs Lexus tried to sell us the glass coat paint protection at the end of our deal).

Re: Duplicate IMA Malfunction On Demand? [mrlar]

by rosie2006 on Sat Sep 19 15:34:08 PDT 2009

mrlar, The Service Bulletin number is 09-058, there are 3 software updates associated with the one SB number is how I understand it, Elk Grove Ca did only a partial and it ran like severe crap, then Lodi Ca did the additional one and it improved but still assists/charges/performance like crap. And no, have already asked if they can return it the original settings, they said no. Just received a follow up letter from Honda Rep, and responded with : American Honda Motor Co., INC 1919 Torrance Blvd. Torrance, CA 90501-2746 (310) 783-2000 File Number N012009-08-1701419 Dear Mr. Chandler, I would like to thank you for your time concerning my 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid. I too am grateful that the mileage issue has been resolved, as I mentioned during our conversations, I was under the impression that the tires had been replaced with OE tires. Please correct me if I am wrong concerning our last meeting, I agreed that the 2009 Civic Hybrid that I test drove performed as my 2006 has been performing since the software updates. I do not consider the software updates that were downloaded to my vehicle as “programming enhancements” as they have reduced the original performance of my vehicle; I consider the change in performance a severe safety issue and my vehicle is not performing as it was prior to the software updates. I also informed you that I would never have bought a vehicle that performed as the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid did, nor as my 2006 is performing now. I believe you agreed that the Civic Hybrids were experiencing IMA assist battery issues related to outside temperatures (heat issues) and that the software updates were designed to reduce or eliminate having to replace the IMA batteries. Having said that, I would hope that the engineering department of American Honda Motor Co is addressing the issue and not merely putting a band aid on it. Having been exceptionally happy with my Honda Civic Hybrid since purchasing it in 2006, I am extremely unhappy, frustrated and detest driving it now. Respectfully,