Worst experience ever!

[chrom3titan]

So I need to tow my Solara, its in my apartment parking lot in front of my apartment. The tow truck guys first off couldnt reach my front tires so they DRAGGED my car from its back tires *boy did it put up a fight for that silverado* and I said screw it it was the only way to do it..

So now they attach it to the front and when they start lifting they CRUSH MY FRONT BUMPER. My car looks like garbage now.. Anyways we goto the dealership where they quote me 1800!!!!!!!! TO FIX MY flippin IGNITION! They said something about replacing the Solara's computer because you cant program it for a new ignition. Is this true? I need help asap I cant afford 1800. And its only 200$ for the ignition btw without labor.

Their argument is that you cant program the computer that runs the ignition system and they quoted me 1000 dollars for it WITHOUT install. Thanks a bunch for the help

[ASG14]

Do you mean the Chipped keys and the ECU for it?

Did you loose ALL the keys for the car?

If that is the case, that price is right. BUT, from what I know, if this is the 1st time, Toyota may warentee it just once.

[yaddadaimsayin]

WTF!! over a grand in damages and i'll bet the tow truck company won't take any responsibility for it huh?

geez that sucks man. this is out of my area of expertise, but GL with it.

[chrom3titan]

Do you mean the Chipped keys and the ECU for it?

Did you loose ALL the keys for the car?

If that is the case, that price is right. BUT, from what I know, if this is the 1st time, Toyota may warentee it just once.

I have all of the keys for it! The only thing broken is the ignition cylinder which I saw online for 90$!!!! Thats the only really broken thing in my car (aside from my flippin front bumper that the towers broke)

Do they really have to replace the Solara's 1000$ computer just so it can correspond with my ignition cylinder?

[1st Gen Sol]

If its your ignition cylinder that is busted, you could replace that yourself. You'll need another ignition cylinder and since you have the key, it should slide right out.

To get the old one out you gotta remove the plastic panals on the steering column so it is exposed. From there you put the key in the acc. position and there is a little hole which you stick a pin or something in and the ignition cylinder should slide out.

Keep in mind you will have 2 different set of keys for the car unless you take it to a locksmith and have them re-code the cylinder to your original locks.

[chrom3titan]

Dude.. I'm just gonna try that man. I wish I didnt have to go through this ordeal. If you guys can boost my morale a little and assure me its not that hard lol *not what she said * is there some sort of tut or something?

[aleki2424]

Thats some stealership bs. You didn't state the problem though. Is the key turning all the way? Mine wasn't and the problem was a broken pin in the cylinder, which simply had them replace . Any good locksmith can get it done for a low fee. I think i paid 40 bucks or so.

[HydroponiK]

This is why i hate mechanics, they see that you're in a desperate situation and now they're tyring to rape you for every dollar you have.

[chrom3titan]

Well when I put my key in the ignition it doesnt turn all the way to where you can turn it on. It only turns about two clicks and I can only turn on the radio. I found the lock cylinder for 80 bucks at autozone and I'm gonna pick that up as well as my car from the dealers tomorrow. I'm gonna get it towed here and do what 1st gen sol suggested and install it myself. If I cant succeed to do it myself I'll atleast have the part and I'll have the locksmith company come and install it (probably for around 200.)

anyways I just got off the phone with my concerend boss at work, he's got the crazy "hookups" with all of the aristocrats like him in my area and turns out he knows the dealer, and when I called the dealership about 5 minutes to tell them I'm getting my crap back tomorrow they offered me a negotiable "discount which is probably 200$ that they can stick up their asses. But hopefully after all of this by tomorrow I'll have my car running at by next week I'm trying to replace my front bumper which is fubar

*basically what I said in the top paragraph*

My key will go inside the cylinder but will only turn to the point where I can turn on my radio, and that dealerships SUCK

PS: OH YEAH THEY OFFERED ME 2500 FOR MY SOLARA AHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

[D-money]

you do know that there is a way to unlock the shifter so your car will roll right im assuming you have an auto

[chrom3titan]

you do know that there is a way to unlock the shifter so your car will roll right im assuming you have an auto

enlighten me please!!!!! That tow truck jerk almost broke my tranny having his sorry ass pickup drag and lift the solara. I still remember the gruesome sight of having him floor it while my tires are screeching on the pavement.

[ASG14]

It;s called Shift Lock OverRide. Even my parents that know nothing on cars know that.

[D-money]

there is a little plastic tab located on the shifter consol just above the shifter pop it out and push the button that it was covering and abra kadabra its unlocked

[aleki2424]

you do know that there is a way to unlock the shifter so your car will roll right im assuming you have an auto

That just helps you move your car, but doesn't help with the starting issue, if am not wrong.
Thats the same thing I had, and is a cylinder issue. I opted to have the smith replace the broken pin inside, but you can also get a new cylinder outright. Definitely not worth the 1800, 1600 or whatever t f. they were trying to charge. Its just sad that dealerships are no longer honest in the way they operate, the reason mine has never been to one in the first place.
G Luck

[TLMNICK]

There was no reason in to world to drag your car like that. Using the shift lock over-ride. Its a button thats covered my a small piece of plastic. You push it, and you an put your car into neutral....and with your key in the ACC position, you can turn the wheel.

You got your bumper screwed for no reason. I would've demanded payment for that damage....It sucks that the tow truck driver you had is so stupid.