Reprogramming ECU under warranty

[inforr]

Hi,

My 2010 EX35 had the "Service Engine Soon" light on so I took it to my local dealer to check it out. I have an Infiniti Elite Protection warranty. They diagnosed it to being that the ECU needed to be reprogrammed. They said this isn't covered under the extended warranty and charged me $140. Is that true that this isn't covered?

Thanks.

[XIS]

What does your paperwork say is covered and not covered?

[Chelsea John]

I had a quick look at the warranty book and no mention of 'reprogramming' the ecu in covered or not covered. So cost could be at the discretion of the dealer ? Now having said that what tripped the service light ? Read a few threads that it could have been just the gas cap.. did the ecu lose its programming that it required it to be reprogrammed ? If there's an actual issue with the ecu then that should be covered. You also got to wonder if they actually reprogrammed the ecu or just reset it ?? Was it programmed to a newer version/firmware ? I'd go back and talk to the service manager with these question and some of your own. imo something doesnt seem right. GL.

[ggalloro]

Is your ECU covered under warranty. If it is than the reprogramming should be covered, that was a fix for the ECU. Tell them to replace it with a new ECU..

[XIS]

call another dealer and see what they say too...

[Chelsea John]

Below taken from the 2011 warranty booklet, canadian models
Eight years/130k warranty if I'm reading it correctly for the ECU.

EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM WARRANTY
The emission control system components are covered for 4 years
or/100,000 kilometres, (whichever comes first). All OBD II
components listed with an asterisk (*) are covered for 8 years or
130,000 kilometres, whichever comes first. This warranty covers
any repairs needed to correct defects in materials or workmanship.

What Is Covered
INFINITI warrants that the emission control system on your vehicle
was designed and manufactured to conform at the time of
manufacture with all applicable federal emission standards. This
warranty covers any repairs needed to correct the defects in
materials or workmanship which would cause your vehicle not to
meet these standards. Primary components covered, but not all,
are listed on the “Emission Control System Warranty Parts List”.
Emission Control System Warranty Parts List
Fuel Injection system
* Engine control module/onboard diagnostic device
Oxygen sensor(s)
Air flow ratio sensor
Intake manifold
Throttle body
* Catalytic Converter
Exhaust Manifold
* Front exhaust tube with Catalytic Converter permanently
5 attached

[inforr]

Thanks all - I have written a letter to Infiniti Consumer Affairs for clarity on this. Reading their literature about the Elite Protection Plan it is marketed as not covering very few items. So it all seems a bit strange. Will report back when I hear back...

@Chelsea John - I did check the gas cap and it was on tight but re-screwed it on to be sure. The dealer said the same but the light wouldn't reset after driving it for a few days. When I took it in they said they managed to obtain a diagnostic code which lead them to perform a software upgrade to address the engine light. The service agent said it he tried to put it through the warranty system (Power..something?) but said it wasn't going through so I had to be charged.

[inforr]

So the outcome to this is reprogramming the ECU is NOT covered under warranty....

Why?
In the warranty booklet there is a statement under section 8 (What is not covered by my VSC?)
9. Service adjustments not usually associated with the replacement of parts

Reprogramming the ECU counts as "service adjustment" and hence is not covered. When diagnosing ECU codes they enter it in the system and it then provides a bulletin for the course of action. In this case it said reprogram the ECU to resolve the check engine light and as that worked the fault is resolved but there is a charge for it.

Basically you have to have a part replaced to be able to claim anything.