Kennedy Motor Service Inc.

on 2/11/17 [redacted] brought her 1999 Mercedes ml430 to us with a no start problem, also had the battery light coming on and we then scanned the vehicle for codes, we also tested the battery and charging system the battery tested bad and we installed new battery  we also found fuse 22 was...

blown we then installed new fuse and car started, we then lifted out the fuse box under the hood and disconnected the harness connector to that particular fuse and cleaned the connection due to the fuse never blew again on us so the labor we had charged to install the battery + scan the vehicle + checking charging system + remove fuse box and clean the connection and install new fuse we charged three hours labor and the Mitchell pro demand labor guide has .7 labor hours to install battery, .8 labor hours to check charging system and battery test, also we charge 1 labor hour to scan engine system to check for codes  which equal 2.5 labor hours and I charged .5 labor hours to remove fuse box and clean connection to fuse 22 so there for I have charge the correct labor total and I think that is fare. so then on 2/27/17 [redacted] had called and said the car is being towed back to the shop and it wouldn't start and she hoped it would be simple upon the vehicle arriving we found the fuse 22 had blown again but the first time we installed a new fuse it never blew until about ten days later, we then installed a new fuse and as soon as we turned the key on it blew the fuse so we then towed the vehicle into the shop and started to trace down everything that that circuit powers up which is instrument cluster, traction control, cruise control, transmission, fuel system, evap system, engine control module, so we have removed the intake system and check  all wiring on engine and reinstalled intake manifold we then removed the outside fuse box and installed a used fuse box thinking the direct short was in the fuse box but was not we then reinstalled the customers original fuse box, we then removed the center console also removed all under dash panels also removed rear seats and checked all wires that are powered up by fuse 22 to find out what is shorting out causing the fuse to blow, also note we asked customer about the ignition switch due to someone has installed a used one or was chasing down the problem we were due to the switch has home style wire nuts holding it together also found other wires cut and taped up all the wires we disconnected or cut were reinstalled back together with butt connectors and heat shrink, we also disconnected all computers and connectors that would have cause this fuse to blow and it would still blow, but then we finally found the short causing fuse 22 to short out , we then were able to start the car and the fuse no longer blows. [redacted] had come into our shop around thanksgiving and Bernie told her he hopes to have her car running by Christmas for her and the Friday before Christmas  I called her and told her I had it running and she said well how much will I owe you and I told her I would get a bill together and call her I also gave her a price on fixing the transmission leak, the turn signal switch also told her it has valve covers leaking , I no it took me a long time to find the problem there were times I had ila tell her if I cant get it running I was going to send her to the dealer but I usually never give up even know that I have about 30 hours in this car, also I am not sure why she could not get a hold of us at times we are very busy and a lot of times our phones are all being used. I also talked to the customer and she said what if it cant be fixed and I said it could be but was going  take some time and she ok just let me no when you  get it started also she had never ask me how much it would cost or for an estimate and  this type  of problem is not easy to give an estimate, also I never told her she would have to pay for any told to fix her vehicle I did mention that I might have to buy Mercedes software update but not that she would get charged for. we have took a lot of pictures of what we have done also I am going to take a video of the vehicle running and then I am going to put he car all back together the way it was when it came to me and take another video showing it wont start and [redacted] can take her vehicle to the dealer or another shop and have them try and figure out what is causing the fuse to blow and she wont owe me any money for what I have done, but therefore she will have to tow the car back out of here because  it will not run, the bottom line is when the car first came to me It did not run and then she drove it from our shop and ran for ten days and then it quit again and if the vehicle would of blown the fuse again while it was here then I would of never gave her the car back to her. so she did come back with fuse 22 blowing but the real problem showed up because the fuse would blow as soon as we turned the key on,that  we have  been in business since 1964 and we must be doing something right to customers for being one of the oldest shops around with the same family and we  have never done anyone wrong and I don't believe we have never had anyone send letters on us but that's how it goes sometimes we cant always please everybody but we sure try, and I wish things could of have been different with [redacted]  and my self and we could of resolved this matter without involving others,bottom line is I am not going to work for free. a lot of people think auto repair shops should do things for free cause the car is always doing the same thing when the car comes back that way they think it will be free and I always try and explain in very good detail so the customer can understand but I guess I did not do a good job explaining to [redacted] so for any questions regarding this matter please contact Greg h[redacted] thanks

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Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and will accept the resolution, that my vehicle will be returned to me at no cost. I have attached a statement in response to Kennedy Motor's response for the record. 
Regards,
[redacted]