First time my car has EVER been to a shop, as I do all my own work but do not know how to weld. Took my car to this reputable shop "Quality Muffler" to get a custom down pipe bumper side exit exhaust done. Note the car was in perfectly working condition when brought there. Got it back 7 hours later and my dash lights, headlights, fog lights, and horn did not work.
After further investigation that evening I found my main engine wiring harness melted. Note that all work was custom fabricated and mig welded on a lift overhead. Total time of work was almost three hours. When I came to pick up the car, it was still on the lift and the welder was welding with out a blanket anywhere. Sheila said I couldn't be in there and wouldn't let me in the inside the shop. She then showed me photos of the exhaust sticking past the bumper at an angle facing up. She then explained that they had to cut and re-weld it to make it level and not at an angle. Once the welder was done we went and took a look at the final piece while it was still on the lift. Granted I was excited and didn't think twice to look at my main wiring harness. Which is 6"-9" away from the custom side exit. They then lowered the car off the lift and allowed me to fire up the car right away. Which makes me realize, why did the car start? Shouldn't the battery be disconnected when working/welding on the car? Especially in the engine bay! Is it standard practice for a certified welder to disconnect the battery when welding in engine bay?
I confronted Quality Muffler. They told me to bring it back and put it on the lift to see if it was their fault. They also said they'd provide a couple of their friends who are mechanics as a second "non-biased" opinion. Note that the owner/welder who did the work did NOT come out to take a look or even talk to me.
Main person talking: Myself (Joe) - Customer of Quality Muffler
Lady talking: Main contact of Quality Muffler - Wife of Shop Owner/welder
Other Joe: Second opinion - Unknown position
Brian: Second opinion - Owner of A&E Automotive and Bench Transmission and Gear
Dork: Support - Witness
Youtube clip of the conversation-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgJS7hghJeI
My car in question-
https://www.galantvr4.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Board=UBB10&Number=1050469&page=2&fpart=1 read more