Crash aftermath.... plz r

[des]

HI Guys n\' Gals !,

Well after a little over a months wait I finally got my car back from the crash. I had to postone getting it back for a day because there was spots that they needed to touch up on the paint that they forgot to do. Anyways Ill get quickly to the point.

I was in a frontal crash, (total cost to fix with taxes was $13,000!) the air bags did NOT go off so it wasnt incredibly severe. The mechanics at the collision centre I went to (Kieswetter mazda, kitchener) told me that the engine and transmission and steering was not hit. They had to replace both fenders, all the frontal cosmetic stuff like lights etc, a bunch of electrical stuff and the rad. They also had to replace one of the power steering pumps because it was damaged when the frontal impact absorbing crash bar thingy hit it. Anyways I have two outstanding issues that the mechanic told me to give a couple days.

1) Engine light is on. The cars\' revs when idling will sometimes drop then come back up with a very rough idling feeling, the car shakes slightly. I\'m sure everybody knows what that feels like. I think the same effect is happening when I am driving, it is very noticable under hard acceleration. It feels like every 15 sec or so that gas is being restricted, which would yield the same effect as that described above when idling. The fuel restriction (if thats what is it) only lasts for about a half a second but I certainly want it fixed. Can you guys suggest if my hypothesis is correct and what may may be wrong?

2) Before the crash my steering was very smooth and easy to move the wheel around. Now when I am driving I have to put signifigantly more effort into moving the steering wheel. I used to be able to drive with my thumb while resting my arm on my thigh, but this is DEFINETLY not possbile now. I need to grasp the wheel with my full hand. What could be the cause of this? The power steering pump they put in being faulty? ( I would imagine unlikely becaue then I would have no power steering at all). Is it possible to adjust the power steering to make the wheel easier to move?

For reference my crash thread (and accompaning pictures) are at

http://torontomazda3.com/forum/read.php?TID=4596

I would very much appretiate any input you guys may have to my situation as to what may be the problems(s).

thanks again!@

Des

[TheProfessor]

I\'m not sure about #1 but #2 sounds like the power steering is not working correctly. The shop that did the repair......authorized Mazda repair centre?

[des]

Yeppers! It was done at a mazda dealership\'s collision centre. They are also considered a \"rely\" shop which means they are allowed to appraise damage on a vehicle themselves instead of an insurance company sending an adjuster for that task...

Des

[bubba1983]

keiswetter mazda has their own in house collision repair shop and paint booth, double down draft, big booth...

good to hear you got your car back...
my car goes in on feb 1st at keiswetters collision centre to get it fixed....suxors big time...

[des]

Now in addition to the rough idling and restricted gas my car is stalling as well!... and one of the fog lights has the clip on the outside instead of the inside. My hood is also VERY close to touching the right light, im afraid when I close the hoood I may crack the light at sometime later in the future.

bah...

[bubba1983]

your hood has rubber adjustments on teh underside of it to raise and lowere the hood ever so slightly...try that..

[MAZDA Kitten]

Wow.. 13k in damages and it wasnt a write off? My insurance was toying with the idea of writing mine off but decided not to because there was no structural damage.
Anyways.. just do what I did.

Complain.

Complain to the body shop about everything. An insurance company paid them 13,000$!!! Thats a lot of money and if they are a reputable shop they will gaurantee their work for life. I had my hit and run accident last January and I was still at the body shop in June.. July... etc. They kept realining my trunk because it wasnt closing properly.. then I was getting water inside the spare compartment.. just stupid stuff but it bothered me. Three words to live by when you are in these situations: \"DOCUMENT AND NOTIFY
I was pretty uneducated and I asked the body shop if I should call my insurance company and notify them I was having problems with A, B, C and D. The body shop was very quick to respond not to contact my insurace co. I dont know why.. and I didnt but they took care of all my issues. Good luck

[ds2chan]

Originally posted by MAZDA Kitten
I was pretty uneducated and I asked the body shop if I should call my insurance company and notify them I was having problems with A, B, C and D. The body shop was very quick to respond not to contact my insurace co. I dont know why.. and I didnt but they took care of all my issues. Good luck

probably because if you the insurance company gets complaints about a body shop or garage that the insurance company recommends then the insurance company will stop using them which results in less $$ for the bodo shop or garage.. as soon as u said that they probably got scared and agreed to fix everything..

I would have to agree with MK.. keep complaining until u get the car how u like it.. I mean, 13K.. that\'s a lot of $$.. ur car should be like new..

edit: glad to hear that u\'r ok too..

[des]

Thanks for the advice guys!

Well got my car back for the second time today, Still not working properly!~!!!!

Im starting to get angry. I bring it in they reset the ECU and tell me it \"was just some computer glitch\", they reset the ecu and tell me its brand new again. Its still idling rough with the rpms bouncing around (not as violently as when I got it but its still happening)? It seems like the engine is off balance or something.

What do I have to do to these guys to get them to fix it? Can I bring it to another dealership for them to look at and will it cost me any money?

Worried...

Des

[al01]

just bring it to another body shop and ask them to see what the problem is..


i guess if your shop couldnt fix.. no matter how many times u rant.. its still gonna be there

[FLIPDADY]

Which bodyshop did you have the work done at? I know of only a few Mazda dealerships that have a bodyshop on premisis. So other dealers have affiliate bodyshops they send their work to.

If you do end up going to another dealership you will get charged for any further diagnosing or work. So it looks like you\'ll have to ride the place that you were dealing with until they fix it properly.

[des]

All the work was done at the Kiewetter Mazda dealership (have their own collision centre, body shop, and paint place). My engine used to be silent when idling, now I can feel vibrations and its much louder than before (but still loud, just louder than before). I don\'t want to make a pain of myself but I am truly not satisfied as yet.