June 2003. Bought the 1999 Z28 to setup as my autoX car. Made a big list of parts needed/wanted and started to buy. This included a new Predator tuner from a known internet vendor.
July 2003. Started into the project and realized I needed to go much deeper into the car than I originally thought. Decided to make it a winter project instead.
April 2004. Pretty much had the car ready for the start of the autoX season. After the gear install I tried to install the Predator tuning to correct the speedo and to adjust the fans for the 160 stat. Message from tuner "This unit is locked to another vehicle". Huh? I bought it new and it's been in the box in the parts bin since it arrived.
E-mailed the vendor to see what to do and got this response,
quote: We won't be able to do anything for you at this point. This could have been taken care of if you would have found out when you received the programmer but it's been about a year since the purchase.
I've asked them to reconsider but have not heard back yet.
IMO I either received a faulty unit, which Diablo or the vender should be happy to replace, or, the vender used the unit before shipping, and failed to reinstall the factory tune, in which case I'd think they'd replace it really quick.
What do YOU think? My mistake, accept it, or do I keep fighting?
Posted by Oh2xSSivLS1 (Member # 1915) on :
quote:Originally posted by poSSum: June 2003. Bought the 1999 Z28 to setup as my autoX car. Made a big list of parts needed/wanted and started to buy. This included a new Predator tuner from a known internet vendor.
July 2003. Started into the project and realized I needed to go much deeper into the car than I originally thought. Decided to make it a winter project instead.
April 2004. Pretty much had the car ready for the start of the autoX season. After the gear install I tried to install the Predator tuning to correct the speedo and to adjust the fans for the 160 stat. Message from tuner "This unit is locked to another vehicle". Huh? I bought it new and it's been in the box in the parts bin since it arrived.
E-mailed the vendor to see what to do and got this response,
quote: We won't be able to do anything for you at this point. This could have been taken care of if you would have found out when you received the programmer but it's been about a year since the purchase.
I've asked them to reconsider but have not heard back yet.
IMO I either received a faulty unit, which Diablo or the vender should be happy to replace, or, the vender used the unit before shipping, and failed to reinstall the factory tune, in which case I'd think they'd replace it really quick.
What do YOU think? My mistake, accept it, or do I keep fighting?
Obviously this is something out of your hands, but you need to press the issue with the multiple layers of people who were involved with the transaction.
When you get a hold of a person that really cares and wants to resolve the issue, they will. That aside, it may be time consuming.
The only issue they have against you is the time you have had the programmer and it is a "electronic" peice.
Hope this helps/motivates. Though, I probably told you stuff you already know.
Scott
Posted by OBSSD (Member # 1258) on :
I'd fight it. I imagine they have the means to clear the old pcm data and it wouldn't cost them much time or money to do so. In your situation, I wouldn't settle for paying more than the shipping to them and back.
Posted by mhayman (Member # 146) on :
Art,
You have it right on. Sounds like it's either a bad unit or a used one. However, vendors of any kind, not just car parts, usually see red flags when you try to return or exchange something after a few months of purchase. That would be your only mistake - that you didn't pull it out and check it right away. I would still think the vendor or Diablo would replace it after you press them. I would definitely not let this one go.
Posted by Bill Mason (Member # 1807) on :
This sucks. I once had a similar issue with a dealer when I bought a clutch, pressure plate, flywheel assembly for future use. It went into the car a year later and there were bad noises. Dealer said sorry its been just over a year since you bought it so too bad. Also, said assembly was purchased from and installed by the same dealer.
I would suggest you push the issue with them, saying it was bought as a new unit and it is obviously used. That constitutes fraud in my opinion. Aren't the American laws on mail fraud rather severe.
Seems to me you can prove this too, If you have the serial number of the Predator you bought, your VIN number and you can get the VIN number programmed into the Predator and the VINs do not match....either of your cars case proven. Also, if the Predator gives you the date that the VIN in it was establsihed that should prove your point since that date should be before the invoice date.
Worse case scenario I would think that Diable should be able to reset the program....for a fee.
Go get 'em.
Posted by SSHEETS (Member # 1989) on :
Wonder if somebody bought it and then returned it. Some numbnutz at the counter may have accepted it as a return and not known enough to make sure it didn't have a VIN locked in it???
Just a thought, not that it helps you. I'd fight like hell though.
Good luck.
Posted by Elie Garfinkel (Member # 1635) on :
Art, Don't give up on working out a solution with the vendor. That's who you paid your $ to. If the vendor will not cooperate, then deal directly with Diablosport, as I've been led to believe these units are programmable with downloads from their site. Your receipt ought to confirm that you are the original owner of the unit, and my guess is that that might be willing to reprogram your unit back to stock. I would think that would be an easy thing for them to do - they could just reprogram it rather than replace it. You might have to ship it back to them in Florida though. They also should be able to ge the VIN of the vehicle that it's "locked into" as well. http://www.diablosporttuning.com/forums/ Good luck!
Best regardSS,
Elie
[ 03. May 2004, 04:29 PM: Message edited by: Elie Garfinkel ]
Posted by 35TH ED/ed (Member # 1709) on :
Fight it...............Once had a bank that bounced checks due to one of their tellers fault. Totalled $120 in fees. Took me almost a year to have then see the error of their ways. This wasnt your fault and should be an easy fix for the vendor.
Posted by KevinA (Member # 139) on :
I'd fight it.
Posted by Xsta Z 28 (Member # 740) on :
Try the manufacturer . . Hypertech (for example) I think will unlock programmers. Don't see why Predator won't . . .
Posted by chrisL (Member # 97) on :
Sounds like the vendor isnt going to be able to fix it anyway.... but it would be nice to get their help in dealing with Diablo to get the programmer reflashed.
I'm sure once the "right person" sees this, you'll get some assitance.
Posted by poSSum (Member # 119) on :
Thanks all. I will continue to pursue this and let you know how it turns out.
Posted by poSSum (Member # 119) on :
Got a reply this morning ...all smiles here ...
quote:I checked with Diablo and was told that it's possible that we may have received a programmer that was returned to them (someone over there might not have checked it). You can send that into us with RA#***. We'll send the replacement out as soon as it arrives.
Posted by JohnS (Member # 1073) on :
quote:I checked with Diablo and was told that it's possible that we may have received a programmer that was returned to them (someone over there might not have checked it).
No kidding!!!
Great to hear the issue is being resolved. Posted by SSHEETS (Member # 1989) on :
quote:Originally posted by poSSum: Got a reply this morning ...all smiles here ...
quote:I checked with Diablo and was told that it's possible that we may have received a programmer that was returned to them (someone over there might not have checked it). You can send that into us with RA#***. We'll send the replacement out as soon as it arrives.
Didn't somebody say that above??? Posted by Elie Garfinkel (Member # 1635) on :
quote:Originally posted by poSSum: Got a reply this morning ...all smiles here ...
quote:I checked with Diablo and was told that it's possible that we may have received a programmer that was returned to them (someone over there might not have checked it). You can send that into us with RA#***. We'll send the replacement out as soon as it arrives.
Good news! I was hoping that's what Diablosport would say. The power of the internet is a good thing when it comes to issues like this - any business worth its salt wants the word out that they are prepared to look after their customers.
Best regardSS,
Elie
Posted by Bill Mason (Member # 1807) on :
Really glad to hear it worked out.
Posted by OBSSD (Member # 1258) on :
Good deal, Art. Too bad they weren't more cooperative at first, but at least they came around.
Posted by Steve da Wrench (Member # 1301) on :
Glad to hear all is well F-body land Posted by Sizzle (Member # 503) on :
Great news Possum.
Getting my Diablo next Thursday. I'll take note to test it out, make sure it's good because I probably won't have much use this summer for it, but next year hehehe....
Posted by 35TH ED/ed (Member # 1709) on :
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