Holden said they fixed the problem but didn't

[yeeaah]

Last week I took my wife's 2006 Holden Astra into Holden as the car was stuck in park and the only way to release it and drive was to take apart the centre console trim and manually release with a screw driver.

Holden told me that the solenoid is Broken and needs to be replaced and need to order the part in. So a week and $795 later I get a call to pick up the car so I go down there to hop in and drive away and they haven't fixed the problem because I couldn't move the gear stick out of park.

So this was yesterday and said they want to hold onto the car until at least Monday to try and find the problem.

The question I'm asking is $795 to fix the problem fair enough but now I feel ripped off because I have paid for a new solenoid but that obviously wasn't the problem. Will I be able to get it cheaper or something because there is no way I am paying more.

[Toddler78]

I had a similar issue with my mums vectra. There is a switch in the brake pedal that once depressed allows the trans to release park over time this wore out. I pulled out and macguvered it by soldering a lump on to create the circuit aporox 30 min fix and $0 and was good as gold I'd suggest stick your head under the steering wheel and take a look it won't hurt you to try. From memory I think I tested it by unplugging the wires and just chucking in a wire to complete the circuit in the loom then I could test

[peter b]

Last week I took my wife's 2006 Holden Astra into Holden as the car was stuck in park and the only way to release it and drive was to take apart the centre console trim and manually release with a screw driver.

Holden told me that the solenoid is Broken and needs to be replaced and need to order the part in. So a week and $795 later I get a call to pick up the car so I go down there to hop in and drive away and they haven't fixed the problem because I couldn't move the gear stick out of park.

So this was yesterday and said they want to hold onto the car until at least Monday to try and find the problem.

The question I'm asking is $795 to fix the problem fair enough but now I feel ripped off because I have paid for a new solenoid but that obviously wasn't the problem. Will I be able to get it cheaper or something because there is no way I am paying more.

They have charged you to fix an issue and it isnt solved take it back as it is now on them

[seedyrom]

There's also the fact that they've charged him $795 for something which might be a $10 part (e.g. The first respondents brake pedal fix).

Good luck.

[LS2_307]

Have had a 2007 Astra since new for the wife. Gave it to my son 2yrs ago.
Nothing but trouble
Still a big piece of sh*t!!

get rid of it asap
Good luck.

[Wonky]

My wife has a 2006 Astra manual that she's done 120,000+ km in. Had 2 of the typical, well known Astra problems eg. throttle body and ECU. First time the throttle body put it into limp mode and then came good we got a used one from a wrecker for $250 (list price at Holden $1100+ :shock:) but it didn't last all that long past the warranty. Fortunately in the meantime knowing it was likely to happen again I'd ordered one from England (genuine part) which cost me under $400 inc shipping. :goodjob:

The ECU is also a common problem because (from memory) they sit on the side of the engine where they're exposed to heat, vibration, dirt etc - very common for them to fail and by the time you get a new one and have it all relinked or whatever by a dealer you're looking at close to $1,500 :shock::shock:. Again, much cheaper from England but fortunately mine was looked at by a very clever and helpful guy on here who realised some of the solder joints were dry and had a go at repairing it. 18+ months later still going strong!! :woohoo::goodjob:

They can be very expensive to keep running well if you just hand them over to dealers for repairs and parts at full list price........... :bawl: Apart from that it's been a great little car!!

[yeeaah]

I had a similar issue with my mums vectra. There is a switch in the brake pedal that once depressed allows the trans to release park over time this wore out. I pulled out and macguvered it by soldering a lump on to create the circuit aporox 30 min fix and $0 and was good as gold I'd suggest stick your head under the steering wheel and take a look it won't hurt you to try. From memory I think I tested it by unplugging the wires and just chucking in a wire to complete the circuit in the loom then I could test

Oh I wish i tried this before I took it to holden, now it's already there so I can't check I just gotta wait until they call me. I would think the solenoid would be the most expensive thing to fix, holden said the part alone was worth over $400. I think I am going to ask for some of my money back considering how long they have had it and replaced something that's probably wasn't faulty.

[Micks]

Sadly the Astra's are very good/solid car but should be traded after five years, that's when the problems will begin!

[Phillshz]

Sadly the Astra's are very good/solid car but should be traded after five years, that's when the problems will begin!
60,000km is all they are really good for. After that they start going down hill. All the Opel cars should be avoided.

[yeeaah]

Have only done 52,000km in the car so you wouldn't think a problem like this would happen so early..

[SimonNQ]

Some of your money back? I would be demanding all of your money back! They determined what they thought the fault was, they were wrong! Why should you have to pay for their mistake?

[yeeaah]

Some of your money back? I would be demanding all of your money back! They determined what they thought the fault was, they were wrong! Why should you have to pay for their mistake?

Yeah that's what I was thinking but thought I would be pushing my luck for them to refund me all my money, then recharge appropriate.

[SimonNQ]

What if you went in with a flat tyre and they replaced your diff? Well the car made a noise when it was moving..... You should not have to pay for their incompetence ! That is between the service manager and the tech.

[chillicatqld]

Definately money back!
tell them to put your old solanoid back in, money back, and then fix the correct problem.

[aussiemuscle308]

60,000km is all they are really good for. After that they start going down hill. All the Opel cars should be avoided.

i'm sure most europeans trade them in after that long anyway (due to high taxes on older cars). i guess lasting any longer means it's over-engineered.

[yeeaah]

Well went into Holden today to find out whats going on, they said that they have found the problem and it is some kind of resistor that's faulty and shorts out which locks the gear lever in Park. So i said, so the solenoid wasn't faulty and you replaced it, so then he assures me that the solenoid was faulty and did need replacing as well as this resistor for it to work.

So not being a mechanic i can't say no the solenoid wasn't faulty i just had to take his word for it which i know he is bullshitting to me but i said there is no way i am paying more for this extra work and all the time you guys have spent on it and he said they wouldn't charge anymore, though i need to wait another week because the part is coming from east coast but they aren't dispatching any parts this week because they are getting new computers.

Kind of happy i get the car back, a little pissed because they have taken so long to fix the problem, but it is Holden, do you expect anything else.

[Toddler78]

Well went into Holden today to find out whats going on, they said that they have found the problem and it is some kind of resistor that's faulty and shorts out which locks the gear lever in Park. So i said, so the solenoid wasn't faulty and you replaced it, so then he assures me that the solenoid was faulty and did need replacing as well as this resistor for it to work.

So not being a mechanic i can't say no the solenoid wasn't faulty i just had to take his word for it which i know he is bullshitting to me but i said there is no way i am paying more for this extra work and all the time you guys have spent on it and he said they wouldn't charge anymore, though i need to wait another week because the part is coming from east coast but they aren't dispatching any parts this week because they are getting new computers.

Kind of happy i get the car back, a little pissed because they have taken so long to fix the problem, but it is Holden, do you expect anything else.

But it's not Holden that's the common misconception it is the incompetent employees at re dealership giving holden a bad name. Hopefully it gets fixed all the same and you get your car back soon

[Wonky]

......though i need to wait another week because the part is coming from east coast but they aren't dispatching any parts this week because they are getting new computers.

What the ???? :confused: Sounds like crap to me unless they're getting the part from somewhere other than Holden.

[bigfoot]

Have had a 2007 Astra since new for the wife. Gave it to my son 2yrs ago.
Nothing but trouble
Still a big piece of sh*t!!

get rid of it asap
Good luck.

Yeah, I agree with you mate

[SimonNQ]

Ask the question.. if, after you replace said resistor, you were to replace the solenoid with my old one can you guarantee that the original issue would remain? Or simply ask for the old solenoid to be returned so you can have it checked out by a third party..... When push comes to shove, you paid for a service, that service was not completed. It sounds to me that they do not have your old part and are just trying to pull one over on you to save themselves a bit of cost.

Stand your ground mate. I mean if it was a $30 part that would be different, but $400......

[jca]

Yep computers down software upgrade for spares I'm waiting on parts two

[Wonky]

Ah, just twigged! :idea: Have just emailed a former colleague for confirmation but probably means HSPO are finally swapping all their systems except the warehouse itself from the mega huge and complex Brazilian mainframe system written 40+ years ago with extremely steep learning curve (I was one of only a small handful who could maintain it and it took me years learn all the intricacies) to SAP as they've been planning to do for many years. It was originally scheduled for switch over late last year so in my 15+ years working on major Holden upgrades I'm amazed they've got it ready to go already. :D

Given the size and complexities of the project I'd expect a few hiccups in the next month or so in which case I'd recommended ordering anything you're likely to really need well in advance if possible, just in case. :)

[surfwagon]

Have had a 2007 Astra since new for the wife. Gave it to my son 2yrs ago.
Nothing but trouble
Still a big piece of sh*t!!

get rid of it asap
Good luck.

Agree whole heartedly.
My daughter bought a 07 model about 4 years ago because all her freinds thought they looked cool and her mums Corolla was too woosey.
Well shes regretting that now, can't sell for a decent price because every second person and most mechanics know all the faults.
The car only has 78K and she has had steering pump /rack failure, timing belt is being done as we speak not because I told her to but because the water pump seized so thankfully both being done.
K's now getting close to the common TB and ECU failure point and to top it off the rear beam axle must have a slight bend because her rear tyres are wearing super fast on the inside and my local wheel aligner says there is no adjustment for rear camber on the AH.

[Wonky]

Ah, just twigged! :idea: .................................................. .......

Given the size and complexities of the project I'd expect a few hiccups in the next month or so in which case I'd recommended ordering anything you're likely to really need well in advance if possible, just in case. :)

Yep, SAP implementation - mega task so expect a few hiccups......... :(

[Woodchukka]

Yep, SAP implementation - mega task so expect a few hiccups......... :(

There will be hiccups alright. I have been working with SAP for a few years now and it can be quite a complex system depending on how deeply you get into it. We are still sorting out our store system from the change over. Like anything being correctly setup first is a big key. Skimp there and it will cause a lot of heartache.

[LSavvy]

There will be hiccups alright. I have been working with SAP for a few years now and it can be quite a complex system depending on how deeply you get into it. We are still sorting out our store system from the change over. Like anything being correctly setup first is a big key. Skimp there and it will cause a lot of heartache.
My organization uses SAP too and it is complex and sucks IMO...Glad I'm not the only one that feels that way!

[Wonky]

There will be hiccups alright. I have been working with SAP for a few years now and it can be quite a complex system depending on how deeply you get into it. We are still sorting out our store system from the change over. Like anything being correctly setup first is a big key. Skimp there and it will cause a lot of heartache.

Don't want to take the thread off topic but unfortunately I do envisage problems. The original IMS DB/DC system plus extras running HSPO (Holden Service Parts Organisation i.e. spares) is unbelievably huge and complex, far more so than anyone who doesn't appreciate how much throughput HSPO handle every day could envisage. From memory (from when I had to medically retire 6+ yrs ago) the warehouse at Dandenong which covers 5 acres contained 120,000 individual part numbers and several million parts for shipment not only throughout Australia but also to NZ, South Africa, USA, Middle East (big market with many extra conditions), plus of course getting the parts in from hundreds of suppliers worldwide etc etc.. Huge numbers of B doubles are in and out of the warehouse 24 hours a day!!

I've heard similar stories about SAP and when I left there was only one guy (the original guru :)) who thoroughly understood the original system and even though he was very good at explaining how various bits of the whole convoluted shebang hung together I see no way he could do so effectively to however many outside SAP contractors who coded the replacement system. Given I suspect none of them understood IMS DB/DC I think possibly a number of false assumptions will have been made which will probably only arise when it goes live. Hopefully I'm wrong but on such a multi million dollar, complex mega project, almost 18 mth long I doubt it. :(