Purchased re-manufactured ECM (Electronic Control Module) for 2000 Saturn LW2 from searchparts.com. on 5 May, 2010. I installed the ECM myself (I am a licensed, certified professional mechanic with 30 years experience.) The TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) which accompanied the re-manufactured ECM was followed to the letter. Part failed in December of 2010. Car will function normally, then default to idle while driving, "check engine" light and "reduced power" light will illuminate, engine runs only at idle regardless of accelerator applied. Car can be shut off, restarted, will run for from several minutes to longer before it occurs again. Even when it runs, the "Check engine" light will remain on until cleared with a code reader. Code reader pulls code P0606, Internal ECM failure. Code was pulled and cleared by Autozone, a separate independent automotive mechanic, and the Cadillac dealership (previously a Saturn dealership), but still re-occurs Note: Since GM discontinued the Saturn line there ARE no longer any OFFICIAL Saturn Dealerships.
Work done on car since replacing ECM includes replacement of faulty Mass Airflow Sensor, new battery, general servicing, including tire rotation, and oil changes. In the opinion of the Cadillac Dealership (previously an authorized Saturn Dealership), and my separate mechanic, there is NO WAY that any of the above repairs/maintenance could have caused the ECM to fail. I have been in contact with National Parts/searchparts.com/AES etc, numerous times by phone/e-mail attempting to get them to honor the warranty. They have responded IN WRITING on different occasions stating that "the ECM failed due to the fact that
"THE ECM WAS INSTALLED BY YOURSELF AND IT WAS THEREFORE NOT INSTALLED BY A PROFESSIONAL AND BASED ON THE INFORMATION YOU HAVE SENT US VIA EMAIL THAT IS THE REASON THE ECM FAILED" Please note that the CAPS and highlighting were added by T.J. Forte, searchparts "Partsologist", not myself. Upon learning that I am indeed a licensed, certified, professional mechanic, they (Fadi Sakr, Director of Consumer Relations then stated that "require a licensed facility preferably the dealer, to do the installation". First Point) At no point was this stated either verbally, or in writing, indeed the first "partsologist I spoke to when I ordered the part was aware that I was going to install it personally. 2nd point) Saturn Dealers NO LONGER EXIST. 3rd Point) The Cadillac Dealership (previously a licensed Saturn Dealer) stated that they would not have installed an after market re-manufactured part in any case. They were required to use ONLY GM or Saturn OEM parts . . . . Brings up the question of what circumstances they actually would have any intention of honoring their written warranty doesn't it?
Messages to Fadi Sakr, and Mr. Walt McIntyre have not been returned, nor can I speak to them on the phone, I am only told that "they will be given the message.
I have since filed a BBB (Better Business Bureau) report through the Northeast Florida BBB requesting that we enter into Binding Arbitration whereby I can submit my documents, copy of written warranty, and e-mails, they can submit their side and an independent arbiter decides the dispute, but as of yet, National Parts/searchparts.com/AES has failed to respond.
It is interesting to note as well, that according to the BBB website,
http://northeastflorida.app.bbb.org/codbrep.html?wlcl=y&id=9000575&cons=y
National Parts/searchparts/AES "BBB Accreditation expired on 1/11/2011"
Hmmmm, interesting, don't you think?
On a side note, National Parts/searchparts/AES at no time asked to inspect the failed ECM. They have diagnosed the entire problem, deciding what caused it to fail, etc, SOLELY based on the fact that the part failed! Amazing!
My requested resolution was that National Parts/searchparts.com/AES honor their written warranty and repair/replace the failed ECM. . . . . I don't think that is an unreasonable request, do you?
That is the question that you need to answer before you decide whether to take you business to National Parts/searchparts.com/AES.
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