So I put an AEM Cold Air on a '04 rx8 in august, and it ran great. Now I have my check engine light on, so I took the car to the dealer to get it checked out. They claim I have a "short" in my MAF sensor that is not under warranty because it was caused by the intake, and that they need to replace the MAF. They charge 6$40 to do this. This does not sound legit to me at all. Should this be under warranty still? And also, if it isnt, is it possible for there to be a "short" in a MAF that would cause a fix to cost $600 +? Thanks.

Valor is Paramount

 

aftermarket part.. definitely void the warranty. always remove aftermarket parts before you take it to the dealer. it just gives them an excuse to say it's your fault.

 

It is possible to have MAF failures due to installation of a CAI. If this is the case, no it should not be covered under warranty. But the price of $600.00 is ridiculous! The sensor only costs $161.00! I figure labor should be somewhere around 150.00 including diagnosis.
How many hours of labor are they charging to justify that?

 

i would be willing to bet that your maf is just dirty....i would love to know how a tube and filter would cause anything electrical to happen.....voodoo please do not post nonsense...you are misleading human....the burden of proof lies on the dealer and i call bullshit on him....they are trying to take you for a fool and charge you a rediculous amount for a maf!...this sounds like when the dealer tried to tell me my blown transmission was because i ad a carbon fiber hood!

The Magnuson-Moss Act
Protecting tweakers, tuners, and other users of aftermarket equipment.



FANNING FEARS


You want to upgrade your vehicle with aftermarket equipment, but you’re worried about putting the vehicle’s warranty at risk. It’s no wonder. How many times have you heard somene of a dealership say that installing aftermarket equipment automatically voids the warranty? This common misconception has been repeated often enough to be widely believed – though it is completely false.


Fact: Dealers don’t like warranty work, because it pays less than normal repair work. By promoting the myth that aftermarket equipment automatically voids warranties, some dealers avoid such low-paying work. Instead, they attempt to charge customers the prime service rate for work which is rightfully done under warranty.




THE TRUTH


Most vehicle owners are not aware they are protected by federal law: the Magnuson-Moss Warranty – Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act of 1975. Under the Magnuson-Moss Act, aftermarket equipment which improves performance does not void a vehicle manufacturer’s original warranty, unless the warranty clearly and conspicuously states that aftermarket equipment voids the warranty. Most states have warranty statutes, as well. Which provide further protections for vehicle owners.


In other words, that means a dealer can’t wiggle out of his legal warranty obligation merely because you install aftermarket equipment. To find out if any aftermarket equipment automatically voids your vehicle’s warranty, check the owner’s manual. It is likely the language you are looking for appears under a heading such as “What Is Not Covered” Although the language seems negative, remember your vehicle manufacturer is simply saying he does not cover the aftermarket products themselves. He is not saying that the products would void the vehicle warranty.


VEHICLE DEALERS OBLIGATIONS

Suppose your modified vehicle needs repairs while still under warranty. Without analyzing the true cause of the problem, the dealer attempts to deny warranty coverage. He made his decision simply based on the fact that you’ve installed aftermarket equipment – a convenient way to dodge low-paying warranty work.


An example of how ridiculous this can get is the man who was denied warranty coverage by a dealer on his power door locks, because he had improved his exhaust system! Sounds nuts? It really happened – because that man did not know his rights and challenge the dealer’s decision.


Fact: A dealer must prove – not just say – that aftermarket equipment caused the need for repairs before he can deny warranty coverage on that basis.


YOUR RIGHTS


Point out to the dealer the provision of the Magnuson-Moss Act- Require that he explain to you how the aftermarket equipment caused the problem. If he can’t – or his explanation sounds questionable – it is your legal right to demand he comply with the warranty.


Fact: If you are still being unfairly denied warranty coverage, there is recourse. The Federal Trade Commission, which administers the Magnuson-Moss Act, monitors compliance with warranty issues. Direct complaints to the FCT at (202) 326-3128.


DODGE MOTORS

“Certain changes that you might make to your truck do not, by themselves, void the warranties described in this booklet. Examples of some of these changes are: installing non-Chrysler parts, components, or equipment.” – 1997 Warranty Information supplement to Dodge


Owner’s Manual:

GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION

“If a Chevrolet part fails due to a defect in material or workmanship not related to (on aftermarket products) or the labor to install it. Chevrolet would be responsible for covering the failed part.” – Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center


FORD MOTOR COMPANY:

“Installation of a non-genuine Ford item does not, in and of itself, render warranty void.” – Ford Owner Relations Division

FEDERAL LAW


In order to improve the adequacy of information available to consumers, prevent deception, and improve competition in the marketing of consumer products, any warrantor warranting a consumer product to a consumer by means of a written warranty shall. . .fully and conspicuously disclose in simple and readily understood language the terms and conditions of such warranty. Such rules . . . require inclusion in the written warranty of any . . . exceptions and exclusions from the terms of the warranty.’ – Magnuson-Moss Warranty & Federal Trade Commission improvement Act. Section 2302(a)

 

misleading?? how so? that is exactly what i am stating. if anything can give them the excuse to not work on it then they will take it. especially for a part that is directly inline with the problem. of course they're going to say it's your fault. it's like putting aftermarket springs on and going in with a suspension issue. thats the first thing they would point to. an aftermarket part changes the way the car was originally made to perform, and though i do understand there are certain laws to protect tuners, it's better to be safe than sorry.

 

Clean your MAF with some brake cleaner just hold the nossle atleast 6 inches away and let it dry for a few. I dont see how a short can happen unless you didnt unplug your battery while installing it. But yeah call foul on this and raise sum hell.

 

If you have an aftermarket intake and you're having MAF problems you shouldn't get it covered under warranty. They are directly related and the fact that aftermarket intakes aren't suggested for many cars with a maf sensor should be an obvious sign. I've heard of dealers unjustifiably denying warranty work plenty of times, this isn't one of those times.

 

im sure he can get one on ebay for like 50 bucks

 

wow, quite the thread bump there

 

It has taken him 2 years to get this fixed??

I though I was slow.

 

lol, yeah maybe