I just went to car toys today for a simple head unit swap. After it was installed, I noticed 2 things:

-The heater control lights were no longer working.
-The dimmer of the stereo, even when set to auto, did not work.

So, I went back. I told one of the guys "the dimmer on my stereo isn't working and now neither are my heater control lights."

"Let me see your receipt" he said (he never gave it back, I need to get it back ASAP so I can prove they worked on my car).

"Well, your stereo didn't come with a dimmer."

I told him it very well did, as it states in the instructions and as per the wiring diagram. Then he said he would have someone look at it.

The install tech fiddled with the lights. 2 of the 3 were not working at all. The 3rd one worked if you banged on it. "If you buy some new bulbs we'll gladly put them in for you, they are burned out". Then I'm like I agree it's possible those two magically burned out at the same time, but what about the one that comes on intermittantly? Light bulbs are either burned out or not, there is no in-between. Oh of course he says that one probably has bent connectors (Wonder how they got bent if that's the case?) Anyway, he said the dimmer function of the stereo needs some kind of signal that my car doesn't provide. I asked how it could be fixed, and he said "you'd have to have a different car". By this time I'm quite positive the guy is just bull****ting me. With all the custom installs they do, they can't figure out a way to put +12V to that input whenever my headlights are on. Whatever....Then I'm like "what about running a wire from a +12V source and running a relay from the original dimmer line to it?" he was like "you know, that just may work, but it would be a lot of extra work and would cost in the area of $35 in labor plus parts...whatever. This is not the first time I've had install problems with Car Toys. As they say, wrong me once, bad on them. Wrong me twice, bad on me. Next time I'm going elsewhere, so this is just an FYI with my personal experience. I guess my next step will be go buy some bulbs so they can replace them all. When the bulbs still don't work (because they probably cracked the heater control circuit board with their un-torque restricted electric drills) I'll just have replace the heater control unit, send them the bill, then make arrangements for small claims court when they don't want to pay it. Oh yeah the install tech claims the other install tech never would have even touched the heater control unit so he wouldn't have broken anything...even though 2 of the screws that hold the center consolve cover on plainly go directly through the heater control unit...not to mention it worked immediately prior to them mucking with it...

EDIT: Went back the next day. They reimbursed me for the light bulbs I bought and installed them free of charge. They are working now. They are off my **** list again.

 

there supposed to check all the interior stuff and check off that everything works that is lame there trying to screw ya.

 

car toys sucks,I got tired of dealing with their **** a few years ago. I havent really found a stereo shop I actually 100% like.

 

you shouldnt have left until you gotten your receipt back. I would have called the cops or the manager. I agree there should have been a check off before working on your car. They are trying to screw you.

 

REally nice shop is called Soundchoice the owner works on your car and makes sure everythignis good. its on Powell and 7th i think.

 

never ever goto cartoys. ive seen more fire-waiting-to-happen hackjob wiring jobs out of their shops than you'd beleive

 

was this the cartoys up in Beaverton?

I never let them install anything for me, none of it is really hard to do, and you know it's done correctly.

 

Yeah and now that I think about it, I don't remember them ever grabbing any adapters. I hope they didn't hack into my factory wiring harness instead of using an adapter. You would think if they did use a wiring harness, the dimmer would have worked...If I could find one of my million screwdrivers I would go check it out.

 

It was the one in Tigard. Yeah I could do it, but I've been working 60-68 hours a week for the last 2 months, my apartment is a mess, my garage is a mess, and I barely have enough time to sleep let alone **** with my stereo. I figured they could at least replace a head unit right...if you can't install a head unit and your business is car stereos...well I don't think I have to say any more than that.

 

I installed my deck (which I bought from CarToys) myself. It was very easy.
I'd rather deal with the pain of doing it myself than let some hack mess up my car.

 

You live and learn, it isn't the end of the world.

 

Always thought the one on Pacific Hwy (Tigard) did a good job. I like their setup inside...

 

Went back today. They made good on their mistakes and are officially off my **** list. Reimbursed me for the light bulbs and installed them free of charge. Mistakes happen, but I'm glad they made up for it.

 

If any of you need a head unit install or a custom trunk build. I would do it for you for a fairly low price. But this is for EVOs only. I use to do this on the side but I am really busy with my job I have now and I will only do it for friends on the weekend. But I hate shops that **** around and treat people like they are stupid. So, if you need works done and you do not mind driving to Whidbey(thats where all my tools are). I will hook you up. All parts will be at cost.

 

I had a deck installed at Magnolia hifi and the guy i got did a sweet job.. he asked me if i had a lil extra time because the trim ring needed some sanding and that it whould look real good if he put it on, i waited and it looked real good. Later i had a amp installed by the same guy and again a real good job