OK, an update...

First off, if you're gonna take it in, have the full recall printed off and know where your own harness is showing failures. The first thing that happened when I was in there was a mechanic talking to the service writer said something to the effect of "if it's not malfunctioning, how are we supposed to fix it" and the service writer was talking about having to inspect it before they could order parts. So I popped the hood and took my sunglasses off and used the earpiece as a pointer to the damage points. More or less walked through the prescribed visual inspection with the service writer right there. Then Chris (CEG'r mechanic at this dealership) came out and basically verified what I was saying.

Second, just count on the place having your car for a week. Once you've shown them the problems at the surface level, they'll still have to dive in and do a deeper inspection. This entails at least the UIM coming off, if not more. I don't know if they're required to replace all the individual harnesses if not all are showing problems. Also, they have electronic tests that they can run on more hidden sections, but the short version is, chances are they'll be ordering parts. You can get a loaner from them for two days while the car's in overnight being serviced, but they'll have it much longer than that. Nice time to check if your car insurance or AAA has a loaner car provision.

Third...I guess it pays to be flexible and nice (if you can swing it). I got frustrated right at the start since I'd called this appt in on Monday and it was now Thursday, and they didn't have parts or loaners available, and rather loudly made the point that when I called in, I told the guy I talked to (oh yeah, be sure to write down names) what year, engine, and tranny I had, and that I'd need a loaner, and there wasn't any problem then. I think that once I pointed out the harness problems and they saw that I at least had some clue about it, I felt a little better, and since my wife was free to come get me, that wasn't that big a problem. By the time we were done, I was back to my pleasant, charming self. But YMMV...


"Think of it, if you like, as a librarian with a G-string under the tweed." Clarkson on the Mondeo.