Out of the shop after the deer accident but issues remain...

[EEtM33t]

I picked up my 4Runner from the body shop in Kalamazoo, Michigan yesterday afternoon. It took them over $11,000 and one month and one day to repair the damages sustained by my 4Runner due to a deer (http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/56640-hit-deer.html).
The 4Runner looked great upon arriving to the body shop in Kalamazoo. The body shop replaced the smoked chrome grill with a black grill and they de-badged it. There was also no remaining body damage from hitting a large deer at speed…
Some differences I noticed included the cover used in the wheel well area is different from the factory version and there is now only one cover (the small metal tab an inch or so from the horn opening) for the replacement horn rather than the two covers that were there originally. I am not too concerned about these things.
Here are the problems I now have and will be returning the 4Runner to a local shop to have such problems remedied:

• the speed of the engine fan is now directly tied into the RPMs of the engine - as I attempt to accelerate the engine fan spins faster - the effect is a significant drain on my rate of acceleration and it sounds as if there is a giant vacuum under the hood - prior to the accident the engine fan would occasionally run for a few moments when starting the 4Runner and would affect acceleration in a similar manner but would never run for the entire time the vehicle is running
• the liner for the bonnet was not replaced despite being damaged
• when the alarm is engaged and the doors are opened the alarm is not triggered

These three issues are significant considering the perfect running and operating condition of my 4Runner prior to the deer incident and I will be bringing the 4Runner to an area dealership Tuesday morning to have them determine what sort of madness is causing the engine fan to function in this manner as well as what is wrong with the alarm.

If anyone has any insight as to the engine fan issue please feel free to provide some information on the matter.
Thanks.

 

[MikesToy]

The body shop should've gave you a new engine fan, new factory alarms, OEM covers, etc. And put everything back to specs. Heck! Insurance company is paying for it anyway.

 

[Nuke]

Regarding the fan, it sounds like the shop either didn't repair or used the wrong part to fix the fan clutch. That should be an easy fix.

The hood liner is a minor thing. Easy install.

As for the alarm, it's possible that during the work with the battery disconnected, the alarm settings were screwed up. Hopefully it's simply a matter of rearming and reprogramming the system.

I'd be sure the shop that did the initial work is made aware of what you've encountered. I'm surprised you're not holding them accountable.

 

[Will_4R]

Man, that is expensive! Was there any damage to the frame? It is too bad they couldn't get it fixed back the way it was originally. I am sorry you have to go through all this with a new truck. I wonder if an ARB or Shrockworks type bumper would have minimized damage, or if at the speed you hit the deer it wouldn't have mattered.

 

[rook]

I'd be sure the shop that did the initial work is made aware of what you've encountered. I'm surprised you're not holding them accountable.

I agree, bring it back to the shop that did the work, that way there is no out of pocket expense to you.

 

[dreadog]

Unfortunately your insurance company decides what to fix, how to fix it, and what to fix it with! The body shop writes to fix the vehicle the best way possible and with the best parts possible!The shop and techs dont want to use anything less because they know they are crap! Your insurance company cuts the estimate down to nothing, gets the cheapest used or aftermaket parts they can ( yes they contact vendors on their own), or tell the bodyshop they are only going to pay to repair when it should clearly should be replaced because they cant find a cheap part and you can only get an expensive oem! 98% of bodyshops send their mechanical work to the dealer for the specific reason of not being held liable for it! Thats not what they specialize in! I agree take it back to the bodyshop and have those problems addressed! sorry for my rant, but I`ve been an automotive painter for 11 years and deal with these low life insurance companys everyday! I take pride in my work and the guys I work with take pride in their work but our hands get tied and we have to play ball if we want the work! cuz jim bob down the street who doesnt care will! I`m done!

 

[EEtM33t]

The shop that did the work up to now is in Kalamazoo, Michigan and I am in Chicago. Bringing it back to them is unreasonable, nonsensical rubbish. Why continue to bother with them if they could not get things right the first time much less bother with a shop that is several hours from where I live?
I'll have a shop in the Chicago area take over from here.
Auto insurance is going to foot the bill regardless as these issues are all related to the repairs and/or the deer impact of which the claim has originated from.

I'll mention the fan clutch as a possible cause for the issue as stated by Nuke and see what happens...

Frame damage was limited to the extreme front most driver side mounts from what I recall...

As far as an ARB or Shrockworks bumper minimizing damage...who knows...

Overall the staff at the body shop were professional and did what they could.
As to the fan issue, I can only presume that they are mostly familiar with how rubbish GM trucks drive and from such limited experience they presumed that the fan speed and resulting lack of acceleration was something normal.
As to the alarm, I presume they did not test it at any point.
As to the bonnet liner, not sure why they failed to replace this and neither was the auto insurance company.

I should have more information on the matter after Tuesday.

 

[Uneek]

Best thing to do is make your insurance company aware of the issues before you get them fixed elsewhere. If you have to take it to another bodyshop or dealer to correct the issues, these should be done on the insurance company's dime not yours because the initial repairs were not done to a satisfactory level.

 

[MikesToy]

Unfortunately your insurance company decides what to fix, how to fix it, and what to fix it with! The body shop writes to fix the vehicle the best way possible and with the best parts possible!The shop and techs dont want to use anything less because they know they are crap! Your insurance company cuts the estimate down to nothing, gets the cheapest used or aftermaket parts they can ( yes they contact vendors on their own), or tell the bodyshop they are only going to pay to repair when it should clearly should be replaced because they cant find a cheap part and you can only get an expensive oem! 98% of bodyshops send their mechanical work to the dealer for the specific reason of not being held liable for it! Thats not what they specialize in! I agree take it back to the bodyshop and have those problems addressed! sorry for my rant, but I`ve been an automotive painter for 11 years and deal with these low life insurance companys everyday!

I'm sooo glad that my insurance company allows me to take to any body shop i want. My insurance adjuster(s) write up and guesstimate their estimates and gives me a copy. I then take the copy to the body shop i know of. The body shop knows me (that i want all OEM parts) and top of the line quality when it comes to collisions. And if there's more damages found than what my adjuster writes, the body shop would contact my adjuster or charge to the claim number. Bottom line is that i will not accept nor sign any document until i'm satisfied. :rant:

 

[dreadog]

Thats a good practice, and its good that you have a shop you can trust! I swear car insurance companies are worse than used car salesmen! Not all bodyshops are good either there are alot of hacks out there! One thing to look for is the shop I-CAR gold or platinum ceritified and is every tech ASE certified! Another thing I`ve noticed with bodyshops is, if the shop is sloppy and dirty, their work will be too!

 

[riverider]

Sadly by now you must know your 4Runner is never ever going to be the same, or as good as it was before the run in with the deer.

It's not easy to except but it's a fact of life, after a crash and their repaired,as good as they the body guys can or will do their crafts. That's it you have what it is now.

 

[scottm]

Sadly by now you must know your 4Runner is never ever going to be the same, or as good as it was before the run in with the deer.

It's not easy to except but it's a fact of life, after a crash and their repaired,as good as they the body guys can or will do their crafts. That's it you have what it is now.

Likely true, but not an absolute. Most body shop owners have at least one salvage car they rebuilt themselves for them or their family to drive. My wife grew up driving salvage cars from her dad's body shop, they were better than new.

I just bought a 4R that was in an accident six years ago when it was a few months old, and it still has issues. I've started looking carefully at every component, joint, hinge, seam, fastener. I've found a few things I'll need to tend to, but overall I'm comfortable with what I see. I took the front fascia apart last night and fabricated a plastic mount for a filler panel that was squeeking and clattering. I see a little rust starting in some corners around the radiator where paint cracked, will need to keep up on that. Luckily it's not where most people can see it, I can use black rust converter and it'll match the black paint well enough. The hood, fender, and one door are Toyota replacements, well done, I don't expect them to give me problems.

I did get it cheap because of it's history, it's permanently lost value, but I don't plan on selling it 'till it's not worth much anyway.

 

[VNT]

what insurance do you have?

 

[MikesToy]

Thats a good practice, and its good that you have a shop you can trust!

Thanks! In this millineum and economy, you just gotta have friends around. The more friends you got, the more hook-ups you can get. Life will be easier. Just my 2 cents.

 

[dreadog]

Thanks! In this millineum and economy, you just gotta have friends around. The more friends you got, the more hook-ups you can get. Life will be easier. Just my 2 cents.

So true!!!!

 

[EEtM33t]

As far as the body shop is concerned, the 4Runner was not drivable and the initial impact occurred in the middle of nowhere so there was little choice but to go with the shop that was closest. Nonetheless, all remaining issues are from the initial accident and/or from the initial efforts at repairs and are therefore being taken care of under the original insurance claim as required.

For everyone that identified the fan clutch as the issue you were correct based on the opinion thus far of those at Schaumburg Toyota...

I may get the 4Runner back tomorrow and it will then be nearly complete in terms of the repairs...I am now waiting for a new hood liner and a trustworthy shop that can help diagnose the issue with the alarm...

Thanks to all for your help.