I need help - non MD

[JoAnne]

Since this is the general discussion forum I am hoping all you car buffs can help me and give me some advice.

Let me start at the beginning. Last week my service engine soon light came on (I have A 2003 GMC Envoy 46,500 miles). I took it to the dealer because I had to go on a trip and did not want to get stranded. He put my car on the computer and told me that it was an e valve and that it needed to get fixed before it would pass inspection. So on Monday I took it in to get the e valve fixed and mentioned to the counter guy that my car was making a tick tick tick sound. I told him that I looked under the hood and it seemed to be coming from the belt so it either needed some belt dressing or needed to be tightened up. I left for work. About an hour later the phone rang and they told me that I needed a new alternator. That the tic tick tick was the alternator starting to cease up. I questioned them because none of the idiot lights nor the gagues were acting up. Between the e valve and the alternator and an oil change I paid $664. (Can't believe I had to do this the week before Christmas but had to have it fixed.) My inspection runs out the end of the month.

So here is the problem. Today I had to go to Potsdam so left early. We got a frost last night so I was scraping my windshield and all of a sudden there was the noise that I had just paid $664 to get fixed. If I had not had to go out of town I would of went directly to the dealer. So anyway I am going to the dealer first thing in the morning. But I want to know what I am talking about before I go. So here are some questions I have.

Can you tighten up the belt or put some dressing on it or has times changed and they don't do that any longer? (The belt I am talking about runs east to west in the middle of the car.)

Would this belt make the alternator act up and make it cause a problem like it needed to be replaced?

How do you test an alternator so you know it has a problem?

If they had just tightened up the belt or put some dressing on it would that have taken care of the problem?

Was it really necessary for me to spend this kind of money?

Or does it sound like I really did need an alternator.

What can I do now? If they did take advantage of me can I turn them into the attorney general? Can I stop or protest the charge on my charge card?

Sorry guys but having no male influences in my life I have no one to ask. So decided to ask my TQ family. Any ideas or inforamtion you can give me will be appreciated. JoAnne

I don't know a lot about cars now days, but my suggestion would be.
Take it to a local nationwide auto parts store like Advanced Auto Parts or Autozone.
Tell them what happened and they can
(for free) put the proper type of tester on it and tell you what is or is not wrong.
If they say you got ripped off then I would stop payment on the credit card. If it was already processed then call the credit card company and speak to them.
There are good repair shops, but there are those that do rip off people.
Let us know what happens

A tic tic sound could be coming from a lot of things, hard to tell just from a description. I do know that on the new cars you do not want to put belt dressing on the serpentine belts and most newer models have a belt tensioner so adjustment is not needed, it is automatic. If memory serves me right, I believe your model has a belt tensioner. As for a test on a alternator, Boobie is right that the local parts stores can test an alternator for you but that test is for output, (charging the battery). I don't know of any test for noise other than the good ole ear and maybe a stethescope. A good mechanic would either be able to tell or they would remove the belt driving the alternator and run the car to see if the noise stops.
If I read your letter right you had the alternator changed and the noise came back so I am guessing that it is something else making the noise and you really did not need the alternator replaced. I guess if it were me I would take it to another mechanic and see if they can find the noise and repair it. If it is not the alternator, then you should be able to get the dealer to come clean on changing out a good alternator that didn't fix the problem anyway.
Hope this helps some, car troubles are a bummer. Good luck.

[KenPa]

GM is known for the belt tensioner going bad at around 50,000 miles and it could be a clicking noise if the bearings are going bad. It's also recomended to change the serpentine belt at 50,000 miles as far as the e-valve I'm not sure what they mean but any polution controls are supposed to be covered for 100,000 miles under warrenty regardless of the manufacturers warrenty. If they are saying the EGR valve that is a polution control. I was told by the pontiac dealer that ALL polution controls are covered for 100,000 miles as mandated by the federal govt. I hope this helps you.

[Sly]

The EGR valve WILL be covered under warranty, ie NO charge. They charged you and DID NOT repair your problem? Take it back to the dealer, Tell them you want a refund...........They will squirm a lil, but they have to.

[JoAnne]

Wow guys that is exactly what I needed to know. I am on my way there now. Wish me luck. Will let you know how I make out. Thanks alot.