Certified Car Problems

[KillJoy]

I bought my 03 MM on 1/9/2006. It was a L/M Certified Used Car w/ 33K on the clock. It still had 3,000 Miles / 6 Months on the Factory 3/36.

The car was Certified by the dealer (i'm assuming here), w/ the "L/M" Points Of Inspection.

On the test drive, I heard a loud humm from under the car on startup. This lasted for about 15-30 seconds. The salesman said it was "probably" the fuel pump. No big deal.

Well, I took the car into another dealer yesterday for them to look at it (second opinion). It turns out that the humm was the Power Steering Pump beginning to fail.

My question is: WTF! Isn't this something that should have been looked at during the Certification Process? Should this be getting replaced a week after getting a Certified Used Car?

KillJoy

[gohogs]

That sound you hear is probably the pump for the rear air suspension. No problem.

[MarauderMarc]

are you sure its the pump? I agree that its probably the air suspension.

[MM2004]

That sound you hear is probably the pump for the rear air suspension. No problem.

I agree. Next time you hear that sound, shut the engine off and see if you still hear it. If you do, while the engine isn't running, my bet is the air compressor.

Mine was extremely loud, and the dealer removed the compressor and placed a piece of rubber under it and bolted it back down. I can still hear it from time to time, not nearly as loud.

Keep us posted,

Mike.

[KillJoy]

I do not know this as a fact yet, as the Dealership still has the MM.

I will check it out this evening when I pick it up.

But......why would they then replace the PS Pump????? Just to get their BS Warranty Reimbursment?

KillJoy

[RoyLPita]

The only problem with the certified warranty vehicle IS the warranty. It a policy that is like PowertrainCare but with NO TOWING. if you buy this vehicle, upgrade the warranty immediately.

[Big Boy Toy]

I had an air compressor go out and the first sympton that I had was the loud humming noice and then it turned to a grind. What it turned out to be was the compressor was breaking down. Took all but 30 mins to replace. $198.00 fomoco part.

[SergntMac]

Power steering whine is a classic sound that's been around since the technology was developed. However, the PS pump is inches away from the air compressor, and some wrenches get thrown off track when they see something they never saw before, like a 4V DOHC in a Gran Marque. Since you didn't recognize the sound, I'm betting on air compressor too.

BTW, the fuel pump can get noisy when you're low on fuel, but it's in the back, inside the fuel tank, so, I kinda doubt the salesman's call.

[MENINBLK]

Next time you hear that sound, shut the engine off and see if you still hear it.
If you do, while the engine isn't running, my bet is the air compressor.

You don't even need to start the engine.
Get in, Close the door and turn the key to ON...
The Air Suspension pump will turn on and level the car with you in it.

Some of us that are well endowed, have our pumps run LONGER
to make up for the endowment...

and here is the kicker...

Turn the key to off.
Get out of the car, and then close the door.
Stand there silently.
You will hear a hiss as the air suspension re-levels itself.

It's perfectly normal, and it will do it every time.

[looking97233]

"Certified Pre-owned" is a marketing gimmack, nothing more.

IMHO,
Rod.

[ctrcbob]

Meninblk,

I have never heard my compressor work on my 03MM, but I know it must be doing it's job because I do hear the air come out after I shut engine off and get out of the car. (Levels itself). At least I think it works, because I've always said that the car rides like a truck.

On my 02LC, I sometimes even hear the compressor working when the car is just sitting in the garage.

[alarmguy]

"Certified Pre-owned" is a marketing gimmack, nothing more.

IMHO,
Rod.

I had the dealership certify mine before I negotiated the purchase price. ( June '05 ) They replaced the front tires that were just below 50% tread.

[RF Overlord]

One more vote for the air suspension compressor, especially as you indicated that it stopped by itself after 30 seconds (like MIB, mine runs extra long due to the added strain of hoisting my fat petard). It's unlikely the power steering pump would only make noise for a few seconds after the car is started then suddenly stop.


The salesman said it was "probably" the fuel pump. No big deal This is exactly why car salesmen have such a shoddy reputation...what a moron.

[ezratty]

The best way to check to see if it is actually the air compressor is to go into the trunk and flip the switch for the air suspention to the off position. Then get in and start up. if the noise is gone you solved the mystery.

[KillJoy]

Well, I have gotten the car back. The noise is still there. It does appear to be the ARS. When the noise is there, I can see the rear of the car raising when looking out the rear view mirror. When the noise stops, the raising stops.

However, they DID replace the Power Steering Pump. they said it was the cause of the noise. WTF? I don't really care, but...you know?!?!? It's just one of those things.

Also, it took 3 times for them to get the Gas Door lines up correctly. They kept half-assing it. They got it pretty flush, but it still isn't the best.

KillJoy

[Bluerauder]

:laugh: Well said. :laugh:

Some of us that are well endowed, have our pumps run LONGER to make up for the endowment....

My compressor runs about 20 seconds as soon as I turn the key on. I like to look into the rearview mirror and focus on a fixed object and watch the rear end lift up ... about 1.5 to 2 inches or so. :D But mine is less of a Huuummmmmm and more of a Whirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr !!!! :rolleyes:

[KillJoy]

Mine sounds more like an empty garbage disposal. :)

KillJoy

[Daily 03]

Killjoy,
As soon as I get my Marauder back to the house you can listen to mine to compare sounds. I live just north of Polaris.
Dale