Hey all,
Unhappy to be joining this party but hoping that the group can provide me with a bit of peace of mind in OK'ing an expensive repair at an inconvenient time (tax time, yay!).
2014 SLT2, 67k miles. Service Side Detection error for several months now. What started as nonfunctional side-detection lights became side-detection lights being on constantly a couple weeks ago. Over the past several days, a variety of other electronic issues have emerged (all intermittent): airbag service indicator on dash, flashing tire pressure light on dash, black center console, nonfunctional rear camera, nonfunctional XM satellite radio, and nonfunctional internal turn signal indicator, nonfunctional key fob/door locks.
I took the vehicle to the dealer yesterday and was told I need two side-detection modules and a new rear harness. A ~$1500 repair. Having read all of the forum topics I can locate on the side detection issue that others have had, I have a couple concerns.
The safety of the vehicle is my number one concern. Given the widespread problems, I can't help but fear that any of the number of systems that depend upon functional electronics could fail, causing an unsafe situation. As a parent, this is not a fear I'm willing to live with.
That said, I am a bit concerned about (1) the extent of the repair that has been proposed and (2) the effectiveness of the proposed repair in light of the systems beyond side detection that seem to be compromised at the moment.
Regarding the extent of the repair, this is essentially the entire side-detection system that is being replaced--both modules and the rear harness. Might there only be one module causing this problem? Or one module and the harness? Should these components only be replaced if they are corroded? Are there questions I can ask to feel some comfort that all three components need to be replaced?
Regarding the effectiveness of this repair, for someone that knows more than me about cars/electrical systems, is it possible that faulty side-detection modules could be causing all of these other glitches? And will the replacement of these components of that system "fix" these other problems? I realize the answer may be somewhere in the middle, but given the fact that I drove the car without side assist for several months, I obviously don't care that much about that system, at least not to the degree that I would fork over $1500 to fix it right now. But if that fix is needed to ensure functionality of all these other systems, I'll do it. Just having reservations without understanding from a technical standpoint how all these other problems could be caused by bad side-detection modules, especially having seen several posts on these forums about the side-detection problem often being the first in a number of electronic issues to befall these vehicles.
It must also be said that I am inherently skeptical of service at the dealership based upon some past experiences. In addition, I was initially told by the service rep that the problem with the key fob that I noted when I brought in the vehicle was something separate that would need to be addressed with a replacement fob. Yet the key fob I had provided when dropping off the car was not the one that had malfunctioned. This one had never malfunctioned, and I in fact, had used it to lock the vehicle just a few hours earlier when providing the keys to the service department. I kindly asked that we first see if the proposed repair fixes the fob issue before paying for a replacement.
As someone that knows very little about cars, I appreciate interactions that are designed to explain the reasons for a repair, and not just give me the diagnosis. Moreover, as someone that works in an industry that is ultimately service-based, I find the experience of not speaking directly to the individuals involved in diagnosing and repairing to be exceedingly frustrated. I know my clients would not appreciate if I threw them to a go-between for questions and concerns. In the dealership setting, this service rep is not to be faulted for being assigned the job of dealing directly with the customer, nor for his or her lack of technical knowledge to be able to meaningfully respond to questions. But it is quite frustrating to feel that you have to work through this, especially where you feel unequipped with the knowledge to ensure that the repairs are necessary and appropriate for the particular issue.
Thanks in advance for any insight on this situation!