2006 Scion XB A Pillar Garnish

[tchapple]

I got a Sirius radion for father's day which I am attempting to install, I removed the a pillar garnish and one of the plastic anchors broke - i do not want to spend $75+ to replace it, can i glue the molding for the anchor. The other bigger question, am I invalidating my warranty by doing this at home?

[Synyster]

you can glue it back on but i doubt it will hold if you ever try to remove the a pillar again. chack over on scionlife.com in the classifieds, there are a few people over there parting out xB's. as far as voiding the warranty, the only part it should void is just on that 1 plastic piece that got broken. it cannot void your engine warranty, if that is what you are asking.

[vintage42]

Originally Posted by tchapple

... I removed the a pillar garnish and one of the plastic anchors broke - i do not want to spend $75+ to replace it, can i glue the molding for the anchor. The other bigger question, am I invalidating my warranty by doing this at home?

If you cause an electrical problem for the car by installing the radio, the warranty would not cover the problem. Sometimes people can mis-wire or cross-connect things and blow fuses or even damage the computer.

The plastic anchors of the pillar cover snap into holes in the pillar, and no glue would be strong enough to withstand what the anchors must do. But you might be able to glue the pillar cover to the pillar. Try a lump of epoxy putty, pressed on the stub of the anchor, then the cover pressed onto the pillar.

[vintage42]

More on the warranty:

Your warranty does not "void" unless there is a specific clause stating that a certain act will void it. Putting aftermarket parts on your vechicle does not "void" it. The warranty still exists in it's original form and you can still have items repaired at the cost of the warranty.

However, if you have a problem and the dealer can determine that a non-OEM part is the cause of your problem (and likely have to prove it), then that specific repair will no be covered under the warranty. You will have to pay for the repairs for this one problem. The warranty remains intact and the same as it was before this repair. Nothing is voided.

The source of the warranty law:

MAGNUSON MOSS WARRANTY ACT
US Code - Title 15, Chapter 50, Sections 2301-2312
Legally, a vehicle manufacturer cannot void the warranty on a vehicle due to an aftermarket part unless they can prove that the aftermarket part caused or contributed to the failure in the vehicle (per the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. 2302(C)) . For best results, consider working with performance-oriented dealerships with a proven history of working with customers. If your vehicle manufacturer fails to honor emission/warranty claims, contact EPA at (202) 260-2080 or www.epa.gov. If federal warranty protection is denied, contact the FTC at (202) 326-3128 or www.ftc.gov.

[vintage42]

Originally Posted by tchapple

... I removed the a pillar garnish and one of the plastic anchors broke...

My pillar garnish comes off every time I try to push the car to move it up in the garage without starting it. I have to remember not to push on that plastic piece, but there is not much else to push on. It comes off so easy without breaking the plastic anchor (I think there is only one of them).