Caliber Collision broke my trunk

[DoubleJ]

As you're all well aware, the only way to close a door/trunk/hood on any car manufactured since 1903 is to slam it as hard as you possibly can with the intent to break suspension components with your manly power. For some reason that I still can't fathom, while fixing my crashed bumper/headlight/hood/fender, the caliber collision 14 year old "tech" decided to go farting around in my trunk, and then of course I'm sure he attempted to slam it closed for me as a favor, and he broke "the latch". They replaced "the latch" and declared my trunk fixed, with a nice slam.

It's not fixed, it's broken. Here's what's going on. It worked fine for a few days, and then I used the fob to close it, and it latched, but failed to pull itself closed. I unlocked it with the key, pressed it into the latch after raising it to open height, and it pulled itself closed and was fine. Worked fine for a few more days, and then did it again. I discovered that it would close, kinda latch, and then the right side would pull down, pop up. Left side would pull down, pop up, and then then it just gives up. The trunk won't flop open, but of course isn't closed either, just in limbo. I could always open it with the key, then press it down gently, and it would grab, close, latch. Until it wouldn't. That function is no longer there. I have to open it all the way, with the fob, then close it with the fob, then it will fail to pull down, then key it open, fob it open, fob it closed, repeat 3-5 times until it finally catches, pulls down, and locks. I discovered this while transporting two very expensive customers back to their office from a sales brunch and looked like a complete moron. Finally gave up and drove them home with the trunk open.

"the latch" that they fixed appears to be the one in the decklid itself, I can see where things have been farted with up there. There is another latch, that wiggles right and left in the body of the trunk itself. I've farted with that part to no avail, it's just wiggly, but has no effect right/left/center on the decklid failing to latch/close/lock.

I have to do a 2000 mile road trip next week in this car and I'm gonna lose my $%^t if I have to fart with the trunk for five minutes every time we need to get our luggage. The trunk is literally the coolest part of the car, and it's dead/dying.

I'll be calling Caliber tomorrow to throw a fit, but frankly, they're idiots. They turned the car over to me with the new headlight pointed into the ground, the bumper malformed, the fender repainted but not straightened and this trunk issue. I don't trust them to complete the repair properly. Does anyone know what the issue may be?

end rant

 

[Norms1stTC]

Sounds like quite the kerfuffle there I must say.

The latch may be misaligned to me by reading your post, but it's very hard to tell without looking at it.

I must say , me thinks it's high time you fire caliber...their mechanical repertoire is lacking it seems.

 

[DoubleJ]

Still waiting for bumper #3, fender adjustment #2 (they did manage to get the headlight aimed) and then I can be rid of them. 4.5 stars on Google, recommended by Farmer's Insurance, but this is how things go for me. Everyone who touches any of my 7 cars breaks them, every time. It's 100% the reason that I do my own work, no one cares about other's property anymore, just how quickly they can wrap it up and get back on Tik Tok.

That lower latch appears to do something, be controlled somehow, is it supposed to wiggle left to right?

 

[Norms1stTC]

Not sure if this would help but ...https://youtu.be/PrJqyng6uTI

______________________________

 

[Babyburr]

Why was a 14 year old kid working for them?

 

[DoubleJ]

In my head, everyone under 30 is 12 or 14. They've never seen a car with a frame and try to lift it with the body, slam power trunks, can't understand what a driveshaft does, etc.

 

[Babyburr]

Ok, I get ya. Ha Ha

 

[bbf2530]

In my head, everyone under 30 is 12 or 14. They've never seen a car with a frame and try to lift it with the body, slam power trunks, can't understand what a driveshaft does, etc.

Hi DoubleJ. You are in a bit of a time crunch due to the road trip, so your choices are limited at the moment.

Sounds like they did not adjust the latches correctly when they "fixed it". Perhaps they are not even fully tightened, from your description.

If Caliber does not get it fixed correctly, contact Farmers to let them know your car is not repaired correctly, you need it repaired correctly before a long road trip, then hope they send you somewhere else to get this all straightened out in time. Otherwise, it will need to be addressed when you get back.

Let us know how you make out and good luck.

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[Norms1stTC]

In my head, everyone under 30 is 12 or 14. They've never seen a car with a frame and try to lift it with the body, slam power trunks, can't understand what a driveshaft does, etc.

Ever see a milennial look at a standard transmission....now that's good stuff there .

Where's the gear shift ????

Kids these days

 

[DoubleJ]

A guy at work was complaining that he had to use the key to start his loaner company vehicle...

 

[CARR142]

A standard transmission = A millennial anti theft device.

 

[DoubleJ]

Lol, I don't even lock my classic BMW, I know no one can steal it with the 6 speed. My 13 year old won't get a DL until she's proficient on the 4 speed in my old Beetle, even though she'll be driving the Town Car for safety.

______________________________

 

[Norms1stTC]

Lol, I don't even lock my classic BMW, I know no one can steal it with the 6 speed. My 13 year old won't get a DL until she's proficient on the 4 speed in my old Beetle, even though she'll be driving the Town Car for safety.

That's what I call good parenting, way to go Dad !

 

[DoubleJ]

Back in the shop. Apparently the doodad that pulls the trunk closed is discontinued, they ordered the wrong doodad and now have to source the right doodad which will arrive some time before Jesus does. I told them I don't want it back until it's completely fixed. $4.40 a gallon for fuel for my truck @ 13MPG isn't gonna be easy on the wallet.

 

[DoubleJ]

Doodad arrived....guess what? Doesn't work, another doodad on order. If only the kid hadn't slammed my trunk. Also discovered (when a trim panel came loose on my road trip) that some other kid tried to put the car on a lift using the spot welded body seams. Bent the hell out of the one that the trim panel was attached to, so of course it broke. Zip ties to the rescue. Why is it so difficult for these kids to pay attention to what they're doing and not break stuff? Ok, middle aged man rant over....for now.

 

[DoubleJ]

They gave up, scheduled an appointment at the stealership 45 miles away. I needed the car back, so I picked it up today. Found the mirrors had all been moved, seat moved and AC blower motor sounds like a fighter jet all of a sudden. This is why I do all my own work.

______________________________

 

[miller2900@aol.com]

As you're all well aware, the only way to close a door/trunk/hood on any car manufactured since 1903 is to slam it as hard as you possibly can with the intent to break suspension components with your manly power. For some reason that I still can't fathom, while fixing my crashed bumper/headlight/hood/fender, the caliber collision 14 year old "tech" decided to go farting around in my trunk, and then of course I'm sure he attempted to slam it closed for me as a favor, and he broke "the latch". They replaced "the latch" and declared my trunk fixed, with a nice slam.

It's not fixed, it's broken. Here's what's going on. It worked fine for a few days, and then I used the fob to close it, and it latched, but failed to pull itself closed. I unlocked it with the key, pressed it into the latch after raising it to open height, and it pulled itself closed and was fine. Worked fine for a few more days, and then did it again. I discovered that it would close, kinda latch, and then the right side would pull down, pop up. Left side would pull down, pop up, and then then it just gives up. The trunk won't flop open, but of course isn't closed either, just in limbo. I could always open it with the key, then press it down gently, and it would grab, close, latch. Until it wouldn't. That function is no longer there. I have to open it all the way, with the fob, then close it with the fob, then it will fail to pull down, then key it open, fob it open, fob it closed, repeat 3-5 times until it finally catches, pulls down, and locks. I discovered this while transporting two very expensive customers back to their office from a sales brunch and looked like a complete moron. Finally gave up and drove them home with the trunk open.

"the latch" that they fixed appears to be the one in the decklid itself, I can see where things have been farted with up there. There is another latch, that wiggles right and left in the body of the trunk itself. I've farted with that part to no avail, it's just wiggly, but has no effect right/left/center on the decklid failing to latch/close/lock.

I have to do a 2000 mile road trip next week in this car and I'm gonna lose my $%^t if I have to fart with the trunk for five minutes every time we need to get our luggage. The trunk is literally the coolest part of the car, and it's dead/dying.

I'll be calling Caliber tomorrow to throw a fit, but frankly, they're idiots. They turned the car over to me with the new headlight pointed into the ground, the bumper malformed, the fender repainted but not straightened and this trunk issue. I don't trust them to complete the repair properly. Does anyone know what the issue may be?

end rant

September 14, 2021....Double J, is the Caliber Collision that has given such unacceptable service located in Santa Monica, CA by chance? I took my well preserved 97' Town Car to one of their locations (the location I used historically had moved and the new location was too busy to take my car) near my home back in July. Someone had clipped my driver's door side view mirror in what appeared to be a side swipe causing the mirror to be twisted upwards. It also for some reason broke the front window track so that my driver's door window starts to shoot out of the frame as it gets to within about 6-inches of being in the fully closed position. I've been using plastic to keep what little rain we've had out but driving on the LA Freeways with an open window is deafening AND we will eventually get a "rainy season" so I need to have the window working properly. The problem has been that my Signature Series Town Car came with heated, power, memory, and auto dimming mirrors that I believe were standard on the Signature Series for 1997. Apparently, Caliber hasn't been able to source either a used or new exact replacement.... but I wouldn't know that since they have never, ever called me to update me on their search. They also failed to provide the written estimate within the 48 hours as required by their contract with the Auto Club of Southern California, my insurance carrier. I just left another message with the AAA claims adjuster letting them know again about the failure of Caliber to keep a AAA insured member informed of their progress.... or lack thereof in sourcing a replacement mirror. I'm contemplating having AAA redirect their repair approval to the previous Caliber repair center that I had used historically but want to make sure the "bad service" from Caliber isn't company wide and only at the new location I ended up going to. Thank you for any information you can send my way! RJ

 

[DoubleJ]

This one is located north of Denver, CO. They've been very communicative, but unable to properly fix the car. I'll also never ever ever ever understand why anyone would think it's ok to get into someone else's car and mess with the mirrors or anything else other than slide the seat forward to reach the pedals. I was very clear with them when I first dropped the car off months ago that I'm very particular about my vehicles and I'd catch every little thing. I have 7 cars and do all my own work (except body work, never got the hang of it). Takes a tremendous amount of time, but I can only be disappointed in myself when things go wrong.

 

[DoubleJ]

The saga continues. The trunk got opened, because I was told it functions 30-50% of the time. It actually functions zero percent of the time. The car is now sitting outside, 9 days until it's stealership appointment, with the trunk open. The lower latch mechanism is jammed and won't move in either direction, the lift arm mechanism has failed and here's the exciting part: This condition leaves the trunk's interior lights on. I pulled the bulbs, but I have to wonder how many times my brand new battery was killed and they had to jump start the car while they had it. If you know batteries, you know that mine is now probably down 2 years on lifespan. Very exciting stuff.

 

[DoubleJ]

Well, I got the trunk shut, it just functions like a regular trunk for the time being, button it open, close it with your hand. The latch on the decklid is nothing more than a regular trunk latch. There appears to be a motor that opens and closes the lid attached to the driver's side support arm. It just mysteriously started working again a few hours later. The part that seems to be having the most issues is behind the license plate (but in the trunk itself). It's a stamped steel assembly that holds what I believe are two sensors, maybe one for "trunk closed" and one for the trunk lighting. There is a motor assembly, looks to be a worm gear driving a round gear. This engages a rack type gear (similar to a rack and pinion arrangement) which moves laterally. It has grooves cut in it that engage the lower latch itself, which moves vertically as the rack slides. For now, I've removed the motor and it's gear, and then slid the rack all the way to one side, causing the latch to move to it's lowest position. In that position, I can close the trunk like every other car with a trunk, and it clicks shut. I don't know if it would turn off the lights, so they're still disabled. It does cancel the "trunk open" alert on the dash.