Another VSM Thread - Potential Repair Resource
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: North of Greenville
Another VSM Thread - Potential Repair Resource
Every once in a while, I peruse to see if there are any businesses who are beginning to address VSM repair/programming issues. Looks like I may have just stumbled across one (link below). They are also advertising through eBay.
https://repairlaboratory.com/repair-...i-theft-module
Has anyone else heard of or know anything about this company? Legit? Reputable?
Also, found this fairly recent youtube on VSM replacements.
I might just have to try this out, but wanted to first check in here for experiences/insights before jumping into it.
https://repairlaboratory.com/repair-...i-theft-module
Has anyone else heard of or know anything about this company? Legit? Reputable?
Also, found this fairly recent youtube on VSM replacements.
I might just have to try this out, but wanted to first check in here for experiences/insights before jumping into it.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 49
Likes: 6
I can comment on this company. They've had my VSM for approximately 3 weeks. Turnaround time was supposed to be 1 business day. Communication has been very poor. When I initially checked on the status because it had already been a week, they told me this is a repair service and YOU have to send in YOUR VSM. If they would have spent 5 minutes to check, they would have seen they already had my VSM.
Subsequent communication has been poor. I would follow up and their entire email response would be "Not yet, hope soon" and "please wait".
Finally they wrote more than 4 words and they said that my module has a problem and they have a bunch of modules with the same problem and they are investigating how to fix but if I want they will send it back and send a refund.
This has been really inconvenient because I have several projects going on with my truck and I really need that VSM back. But I'm in a position where I can't take it to a dealer right now because the truck isn't running and I'm not gonna get it towed for that, so I'm basically at their mercy.
Will edit this comment once I have some kind of resolution either good or bad.
Subsequent communication has been poor. I would follow up and their entire email response would be "Not yet, hope soon" and "please wait".
Finally they wrote more than 4 words and they said that my module has a problem and they have a bunch of modules with the same problem and they are investigating how to fix but if I want they will send it back and send a refund.
This has been really inconvenient because I have several projects going on with my truck and I really need that VSM back. But I'm in a position where I can't take it to a dealer right now because the truck isn't running and I'm not gonna get it towed for that, so I'm basically at their mercy.
Will edit this comment once I have some kind of resolution either good or bad.
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Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: North of Greenville
Thanks for that feedback. It's this kind of real world info which really helps us here.
I hope that you get the unit back soon, but your experience is revealing that they may not quite be up to the task yet.
In my own situation, I'm fortunate that I'm just dealing with the auto-lights and key fob programming are the only symptoms, and I've been driving the truck this way for probably 6-7 years now - every day. When I do pursue this effort, it will be by purchasing a replacement VSM, checking to see if the "new to me" unit works properly, and if it does, ship out my old (original) unit for the repair effort. Why send my old one out if the replacement works? Working Spare, baby... working spare!
I hope that you get the unit back soon, but your experience is revealing that they may not quite be up to the task yet.
In my own situation, I'm fortunate that I'm just dealing with the auto-lights and key fob programming are the only symptoms, and I've been driving the truck this way for probably 6-7 years now - every day. When I do pursue this effort, it will be by purchasing a replacement VSM, checking to see if the "new to me" unit works properly, and if it does, ship out my old (original) unit for the repair effort. Why send my old one out if the replacement works? Working Spare, baby... working spare!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,609
Likes: 324
From: Arizona
Thanks for that feedback. It's this kind of real world info which really helps us here.
I hope that you get the unit back soon, but your experience is revealing that they may not quite be up to the task yet.
In my own situation, I'm fortunate that I'm just dealing with the auto-lights and key fob programming are the only symptoms, and I've been driving the truck this way for probably 6-7 years now - every day. When I do pursue this effort, it will be by purchasing a replacement VSM, checking to see if the "new to me" unit works properly, and if it does, ship out my old (original) unit for the repair effort. Why send my old one out if the replacement works? Working Spare, baby... working spare!
I hope that you get the unit back soon, but your experience is revealing that they may not quite be up to the task yet.
In my own situation, I'm fortunate that I'm just dealing with the auto-lights and key fob programming are the only symptoms, and I've been driving the truck this way for probably 6-7 years now - every day. When I do pursue this effort, it will be by purchasing a replacement VSM, checking to see if the "new to me" unit works properly, and if it does, ship out my old (original) unit for the repair effort. Why send my old one out if the replacement works? Working Spare, baby... working spare!
5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 49
Likes: 6
Circuit Board Medics is a reputable outfit and if they don't offer VSM repair there must be a pretty good reason. Maybe you could contact them and ask about it? As far as a new one (new to your truck anyway) I do know it needs to be programmed to each particular vehicle, not plug and play. I heard it can also be programmed by using your build sheet, don't know the accuracy of that statement though.
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Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: North of Greenville
I believe others have contacted Circuit Board Medics about this in the past, with no gain from it. I could be wrong, or the times may have changed. Either way, certainly worth the inquiry.
I know of others from FTE who have unbolted and left the VSM connected, but sitting on the hump for easy access, and the dealer respected that effort by reducing the programming fee. This would certainly be a dealer-specific issue, though, and highly dependent on the service writer's personality and mood.
I know of others from FTE who have unbolted and left the VSM connected, but sitting on the hump for easy access, and the dealer respected that effort by reducing the programming fee. This would certainly be a dealer-specific issue, though, and highly dependent on the service writer's personality and mood.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 49
Likes: 6
Just an update for anyone who finds this thread, circuit board medics wrote back that they don't offer a repair for the VSM and they are not currently aware of anyone to recommend.
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
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From: Lake Hartwell, GA
I know that the service is not listed on the DTC website, but perhaps Jonathan can recommend someone.
Diesel Tech Chattanooga
I suspect as the sun sets, this sort of service will be more and more difficult to find. That is the way things go I guess...
Diesel Tech Chattanooga
I suspect as the sun sets, this sort of service will be more and more difficult to find. That is the way things go I guess...
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Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: North of Greenville
I know that the service is not listed on the DTC website, but perhaps Jonathan can recommend someone.
Diesel Tech Chattanooga
I suspect as the sun sets, this sort of service will be more and more difficult to find. That is the way things go I guess...
Diesel Tech Chattanooga
I suspect as the sun sets, this sort of service will be more and more difficult to find. That is the way things go I guess...
I know you're right, Sous, but it also seems that it never really existed to begin with. I've seen inquires about this kind of repair service off and on through my years in FTE (ever since I joined back in '06). That said, I've never seen a company identified who worked on the VSM's. Seems like people either
1) bought a used one which worked and had it reprogrammed, or
2) bought a new one and had it programmed, or
3) in one case, an owner opened up and repaired his own VSM.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 49
Likes: 6
Just an update on Repair Laboratory for anyone who's considering it. They kept pushing back the date, last request was for a couple more weeks. I finally told them just to ship it back and refund the money. They refunded the money and said they would ship it last Friday, and sent me a tracking number. Well, that tracking number shows the item still hasn't been dropped off at the post office and the post office is still awaiting arrival of the item. They're claiming they already "handed it over to the delivery service". I have a feeling this isn't going to end well. I don't know if it's a language barrier or what but this company is horrible at communication.
EDIT 1: And just to keep information in this thread in case anyone finds it later, I did end up finding a VSM at Bob Allen Ford in Kansas. They charge an arm and a leg but it comes with a one year warranty at least.
EDIT 2: Cleatus, you were right not to give up. It actually came today in the mail. So in their defense they did refund me my money quickly and my VSM got back to me quickly. Not a huge fan of the "USPS padded envelope and nothing else" packaging method but it seems to be in one piece.
EDIT 1: And just to keep information in this thread in case anyone finds it later, I did end up finding a VSM at Bob Allen Ford in Kansas. They charge an arm and a leg but it comes with a one year warranty at least.
EDIT 2: Cleatus, you were right not to give up. It actually came today in the mail. So in their defense they did refund me my money quickly and my VSM got back to me quickly. Not a huge fan of the "USPS padded envelope and nothing else" packaging method but it seems to be in one piece.
Butt-Head
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 9,459
Likes: 2,941
From: Reed Point, MT
Just an update on Repair Laboratory for anyone who's considering it. They kept pushing back the date, last request was for a couple more weeks. I finally told them just to ship it back and refund the money. They refunded the money and said they would ship it last Friday, and sent me a tracking number. Well, that tracking number shows the item still hasn't been dropped off at the post office and the post office is still awaiting arrival of the item. They're claiming they already "handed it over to the delivery service". I have a feeling this isn't going to end well. I don't know if it's a language barrier or what but this company is horrible at communication. So my final opinion is two thumbs very far down.
EDIT: And just to keep information in this thread in case anyone finds it later, I did end up finding a VSM at Bob Allen Ford in Kansas. They charge an arm and a leg but it comes with a one year warranty at least.
EDIT: And just to keep information in this thread in case anyone finds it later, I did end up finding a VSM at Bob Allen Ford in Kansas. They charge an arm and a leg but it comes with a one year warranty at least.
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