H Folks,

Well here's the story. My son got his JK two weeks ago (X model with auto tranny). We immediatley put 285 70 17 Hankooks on 17 X 8 Pro Comp wheels on it. It looks great. We took it by the dealer to show the salesman (my son was very proud of his JK). Anyway, yesterday the ESP BAS light comes on. He had to go pick up his plates from the dealer (Fullerton Jeep in Somervill, NJ) anyway so he pops into the service department to have them take a quick look. Well you know where I'm going, right. The dealer service rep calls me at work and says that the "large" tires have caused the problem. I say the stock tires are 32 inches and these are only 33 inches and the light didn't come on for 2 weeks. I suggest that I can swap back on the stock wheels and tires so he can diagnose the problem and he gets defensive and says he's going to note on the system that the vehicle has already been altered and that we've voided the warranty so I remain calm and state that I disagree and ask that he flash the computer with the latest update while my son is there and see if that works. He refuses to put it on the machine and says that he can't "modify" it as that would imply that they condone my modifications. Well, I get home last night and my son hands me the receipt (showing $0) and sure enough it reads "CUSTOMER MADE AWARE OF THIS ALTERATION WILL VOID ALL WARRANTIES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND POWER TRAIN WARRANTIES." So, now its on the system somewhere that we've "altered" the JK so I think I'll have a problem no matter where he takes it. HELP! Who can I call or where can my son take his JK in New Jersey to get the flash or whatever is required to shut off the lights (they've come on and off occassionally for the last two days). It might need the flash (even though it was built in December) or maybe its an ABS sensor but he won't even look at it (what an asshole). The steering wheel is perfectly straight as we only put on the 3/4 inch spring spacer to level out the front. Needless to say, my son loves his JK but he's bummed out about these lights and how the dealer treated him (and me).

Thanks for any and all suggestions and sorry for the long read,
Paul

 

Your best option, right now, is to try and find a competent dealer and explain the problem. They are unable to void the entire warranty just because you got bigger tires. They are morons.

 

Try doing a search on the Moss/Magnuson Act. Its a case that went all the way to the Supreme Court. It basically says that a dealer has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the modication you did to your vehcile directly caused the problem.
I would make a copy of it and ask to speak to a supervisor. If that doesnt work, buy a big sheet of posterboard, draw a lemon on it. Then walk around in front of the dealer ship, screaming they sell lemons!!!!!!!

 

Great thoughts posted here. Used to be a Service Manager for a Jeep dealership. As noted on previous replies, this decision is the dealerships personal decision, not Jeep Corporate. I assure you this wasn't ran past the Jeep district rep. The only thing I ever turned down was a Dodge cummins owner that wanted us to "fix" a "different feeling power band and reduced fuel mileage after switching to 37s...... well DUH!!

They are being non-customer friendly. Of course, they're are limits to mods vs warranty, but this doesn't even come close. JEEP dealers should be especially sensitive to this..... JEEP = JEEP MODS, and they're generally great customers.
1. If you can find another dealership to work with (just tell them the story), then do that (easiest button).

2. Also, try, and keep trying, the dealership manager / owner. Using temper on them probably won't do any good. Sometimes dealership folks have chips on their shoulders (SORRY to those that don't). For the most part in Service departments, the service department lives with a "guilty till proven innocent" attitude from a lot of customers, and they wind up burned out, with those chips on their shoulders. They've reversed it on you...poor decision.

3. Contact the Jeep Rep youself. Set up an appointment with them when they're in town or resolve over the phone. Jeep also has a customer relations department. If nothing else works, hound them till they treat you right. (don't give up, DO NOT GIVE UP on this approach if nothing else is working). Also, make sure, via the rep, that this "voided warranty" thing is not in Jeeps' records, make sure they understand this is absolutely unnacceptable. Jeep doesn't want this kind of reputation, I believe with persistance, they will work with you.
Hope some of this rambling and perspective helps.

ps. By the way, you're switch to 33s is not the root cause of this problem unless there is more to the story..... you damaged something, unhooked something, set a code accidentally..... etc., during the tire / spacer swap. If this is the case, you would be responsible for the diagnosis, labor, and parts for this repair, with no change to your warranty coverage going forward.. even with the 33s. Wonder if clearing the codes is all you need.... I'm a little out of touch with tech end of this, so don't know. Maybe someone current on this could weigh in......