I went to a chain yesterday to get a brake light bulb replaced on my D1. Sure, it's a teensy repair but I had a $ credit from the store so I decided to let THEM skin their forearms reaching behind the jumpseat.

So the guy comes out and tells me it's not the bulb, but he can't figure out what it is.

I google real quick and it's the socket.

As I do that, he comes back and tells me my entire tail light assembly is burned, the wiring is burned up, it needs a whole new assembly.

WHAAA? Why didn't a fuse blow to stop burning? How bad is the damage? What gremlin is in the electrical system? Can I get home safely? How could this happen? I was JUST looking at it and it was fine.

So I ask him to show me the burned wires, so I can wrap my head around what's going on. There ensues the world's biggest standoff: He refuses to show me. Keeps tapping the tail light assembly. "THIS, this whole thing." I finally get him to show me THE THING THAT DIDN'T WORK. He reaches in and snaps off a part and shows me an absolutely perfect socket. I'm SO CONFUSED.

He says, "this isn't the one, but it's one just like this."

WHAT?

He finally, after much griping and refusal to show me any respect, goes in and takes out a slightly, slightly browned socket.

Ok, it's the socket.

I say I'll handle it, and get my papers from the desk and drive a mile down the road, shaking. I pull over and check the wires. Nothing is burned. Nothing is melted. The entire assembly is pristine, and the socket I am holding is slightly, slightly browned. Ordered a new one, and will do the three seconds of popping it in when it gets here. And I am 99.99999999% sure I will be completely good to go. In fact, when I stop shaking so bad, I will take the one of the other sockets out and test it in that place. I'm sure it'll work.

The guy was drawing a picture of burned, melted, catastrophic damage, refusing to show me ANY proof, refusing to do anything but bully me and tell me my car is burning up. I still have a lot of chemo brain, so the shock of the confrontation and my confusion over how that could be were yuuuuuuuge.

Damn, it's hard to be a girl. I don't think I'll ever waste my time on a big box again.

Can anyone weigh in and help me process it? Still so shaken.

 

" Can anyone weigh in and help me process it? Still so shaken. "

That's an easy one.... the TECH was an A$$HOLE and tried to take you for a ride.
I understand this is upsetting and unfair, BUT good for you for standing up for yourself. "Hard to be a girl"... give yourself more credit, I know guys who would have caved in and paid the B$ repair cost. You did the right thing, now call the Parent Company and complain about this so others don't get taken.
Once your blood pressure lowers you'll feel very proud of yourself. And I'll say it again, good for you!

 

2x on Over Rover's comments....and I would like to add that we all here are ready and willing to offer up help and/or advice any time ...all for free ! lol

 

Don't let the ******** get you down. There are PLENTY of good folks around who are willing to lend their expertise and help out.

Once again you have demonstrated bad-assery. Props to you. Hang in there.

 

I have had to replace one of my tail light assembly due to warping/melting of the plastic - new socket would'nt make contact - fought with it for years before I just bought a used one on ebay for $40.

 

I'm surprised they didn't try to sell you the bulb grease too with that new bulb socket.

I've always had my right rear brake light go out from not making a solid contact. I just smack the crap out of the tail lens and it comes back on.
I really need to troubleshoot the problem...

 

Have you tried reaching out to the St Louis Land Rover Club? I've met a handful of them and they're real nice people. One of the officers is a girl, too. 😉
If they can't help you outright with a repair I'm sure they can direct you to a stand up mechanic. I think they usually meet for pizza and drinks once a month.

 

being in Saint Louis also, I'd like to know what shop tried to pull this.

I have a daughter who drives and another one getting ready to. I don't want anyone trying to do this to them.

And if you need any help with the tail light let me know. Always glad to help another rover owner.