Complaint Review: Fryar'S Auto Service - Chattanooga Tennessee

 There are two inconsistencies in you complaint. First, I see that you filed the complaint in 2006. Second you specifically state that you spoke to Bill. I wanted to point out that both statements are inaccurate because Bill retired in 1998. It is highly unlikely you spoke to Bill. I think it's also interesting that the BBB sided with the company.

To get the story straight,
 My mothers van. The check engine light did not come on until we took it to fryars to be repaired. It just would not pass the emissions test
Before taking it to them, I had all the belts replaced two weeks before.

After Bill fryar found out that I had concerns about the van and my mother getting ripped off, He phoned my mother and told her that it is none of my business. And said he would not speak to me about her van. He asked her is she smart enough to conduct her own business. This was a 70+ year old woman, that couldn't even pump her own gas.

After paying $800.00 to the cons, for parts the van didn't need. That after paying $800 to repair the van to pass TN emissions test. It did not pass.

I located the problem myself a year later, That those cons could not,
It was a fuse that retained the computer cpu memory after the van was turned off. This was discovered when I took it to autozone and tested it for free on a scanner. I replaced the fuse and it passed.

I still think the cons at fryar's already knew about the ($1) fuse, and thought they could get another $400 out of my mother for another computer.

Please Do Not Believe Anything These Con's Have To Say.

Billy Edgeworth

Mrs. L. E. (Billy's mother), accompanied by Mrs. W. E. (Billy's wife), brought her 1996 Windstar to Fryar's Auto Service for repair of the right blinker and squeeking brakes.  As the two ladies were leaving the office, Mrs. W. E. asked Mrs. L. E. if she wanted us to check the van to see why it had failed the emission test.  Mrs. L. E. stated that she did want us to check the van because it had failed to pass the emission test three times.  I asked her for the emission failure report which she then produced. 

The first problem checked was the "squeeky" brakes.  Our mechanic determined that the brakes did make a noise but they did not need to be replaced at that time.

The second request was for Fryar's Auto Service to check and repair the right blinker.  This problem required the replacement of a multi-function switch in the steering column and an electronic flasher.

The third problem was the emission failure.  Upon checking the van's computer system for codes and data along with a visual inspection of the vehicle, the following was noted:

1.  The belt tensioner that Mr. W. E. (Billy) stated that he installed the previous year was running sideways which threw the serpentine belt out of alignment and chewed the belt up.  We replaced the tensioner and installed a new belt only after Mrs. L. E. was notified.  She then came to Fryar's Auto Service upon request from Mr. Fryar to look at the tensioner and belt before we replaced the items.  She approved the repair with Mr. W. E. (Billy's wife) at her side.

2.  The fuel filter was stopped up so it was replaced.

3.  The Differential Pressure Feedback Exhaust Sensor or "DPFE" Sensor had to be replaced because it was out of range making the computer read a code resulting in a "check engine light" to come on.  The DPFE silicone hose going from the exhaust system to the sensor was also replaced.  No vehicle will pass emission testing with a check engine light on and the one on Mrs. L. E.'s van had been cleared out of the computer by someone before it was brought to us for repair.  This light remanifested itself however during check out.

4.  During one of the several phone conversations with Mrs. L. E. throughout the repair process, she requested that the freon level be checked in her van.  She stated that she had had 2 cans of freon put in but that more was probably needed.  We then checked the freon level and added the amount needed.

5.  In checking the van's computer, we found that the computer was erasing three of the eight "self test monitors".  Monitors are normally held in the computer's memory.  Cars will monitor themselves for emission problems as they are driven.  Mrs. L. E.'s car does run the monitors but will not hold this inofrmation in memory as it should for the three monitors mentioned above.  The monitors will run but when the engine is turned off, the data is lost.  Mr. Fryar explained to Mrs. L. E. that he could replace the computer for a cost of five to six hundred dollars or she could just not turn off the van before running it thru the testing center.  Mr. Fryar ran the van thru the emission testing center for Mrs. L. E. while we had the van and Mr. Fryar offered to run the van thru the testing center on subsequent years for Mrs. L. E. as a customer service to her free of charge if she chose not to replace the computer due to cost.

In conclusion, Mr. E. (Billy) stated that his mother was seventy years old and now worried.

Mr. Fryar spoke with Mrs. L. E., owner of the Winstar van, three times by pone during the repair process and requested that she come to the shop in person to see the belt tensioner at which time Mrs. L. E. was accompanied again by Mr. E.'s wife.  Each step of the repair process was approved by Mrs. L. E. prior to repair. 

At no time were we told that Mrs. L. E. was not capable of conducting her own affairs.

Mr. Fryar talked Mrs. L. E. on the phone after her son complained and she stated that she understood what we had done to the van and was satisfied but couldn't do anything about her son's complaints.

Fryar's Auto Service mechanics fixed only those things approved for repair by Mrs. L. E. and consider Mr. E.'s complaints unfounded.