I brought my Corolla into Toyota of Santa Maria's service center because my car was having trouble with either the alternator or the battery. I spent $97.40 in their service center, and the problem was never discovered, that is, without trying to get me to buy a battery that didn't need to be replaced. I was told that I would have to pay parts and labor on a battery before they could continue inspecting the alternator and the rest of the car.
I asked if there were some other way for them to test the alternator without having to charge me over $100 for a battery and labor. The service agent told me there was no other way. He also informed me that three drive belts needed to be replaced.
For the diagnostic fee, the new battery, the new alternator, and the three belts, the total was going to be approximately $650. I thought that was outrageous! So I called ToyworX, a Toyota specialty shop in Grover Beach, for a second opinion. When I explained what was going on, Daniel at ToyworX said,
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