BigR
Member
- Joined
- April 15, 2004
- Messages
- 22
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Raleigh, NC
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2002 Explorer
Hi all, here is the update to my 2002 Explorer V8 4WD transmission repair saga.
The setup: 47,500 miles, 2.2 years old. Had been experiencing a 4/5 and 5/4 shifting "hiccup" for a while. Was starting to get worse. Decide to take to the dealer to get it checked. Had read all the forum posts, checked the tsb's (14 of them for the 5r55w). Expected all we needed was a PCM update. Maybe $125 Dropped it truck at the dealer Monday evening. Told the service adviser we expected all it needed was a PCM flash (as you guys suggested).
Tuesday morning my wife see the tech doing the test drive at 9:00. By 9:30 the service advisor (service salesman, cause they're paid on commission) called me and said they would have to drop the tranny to diagnose and repair. I quizzed him at length about the PCM flash, drive testing, bench testing and he said the the tech found significant problems and need to diagnose. Reluctantly I agreed (little voice in my head screams "No, you stupid man, something's not right...."). No way they had time to do the proper diagnosis, check the fluid level, flash the pcm, recreate the problem, bench test it. No way.
On the way how from work, armed with my tsb's, exploded diagrams, and questions, I wander into the service bay area (off limits to us commoners) and behold, there is my truck, sans tranny. Said tranny is exploded in pieces on the bench, serious looking stuff, not good. I find the adviser and he's with the tech. Gonna be $800 for a solenoid and some bands, cause ones not worknig like the others and the band has some unusual wear. Quizzing the tech, i ask about his diagnosis procedure......... Did he drive it, did he flash the PCM (I knew it was back level), did he do a drive with metering test?
Well, the tech he drove it, but didn't get the 4/5 & 5/4 problem but said it shifted funny. No he didn't flash the PCM. He "pulled the TSB for my tranny" and that's what he looked for and "pre-decided" was my problem. Also asked him about the torque converter whine TSB, he was clueless but would go look it up.
Wednesday morning, got a call that the repair was too expensive now and I would need a new tranny. Of course, I exploded and they agreed to work with the factory service rep for an "after warranty" adjustment.
The offer came back, 50/50 on the new tranny, net $1500 to me..... The service manager after much yelling by me agreed to kick in $300 and a "powertrain warranty" up to 75,000 miles. The warranty is about $1100. That was their final offer.
The kicker in the deal......... they said they would re-assemble my tranny, flash the pcm and give it back to me, no charge. Great offer there......
My options: 1. New tranny, 75K PT warranty, $1200 or
2. Old reassembled tranny by one pissed off tech, new PCM code....
Which wuold you choose?
I took #1 but have been screwed by inept service personnel.
Lessons:
1. Listen to the little voices in your head.
2. Do your research
3. Try the little fixes first (PCM)
4. Get a second opinion?
Questions:
1. Parts cost of new tranny? Labor costs?
2. Should I write Ford? am I wasting my time?
3. Should I have yelled for more or was I done for?
Thanks for listening.
Big R
The setup: 47,500 miles, 2.2 years old. Had been experiencing a 4/5 and 5/4 shifting "hiccup" for a while. Was starting to get worse. Decide to take to the dealer to get it checked. Had read all the forum posts, checked the tsb's (14 of them for the 5r55w). Expected all we needed was a PCM update. Maybe $125 Dropped it truck at the dealer Monday evening. Told the service adviser we expected all it needed was a PCM flash (as you guys suggested).
Tuesday morning my wife see the tech doing the test drive at 9:00. By 9:30 the service advisor (service salesman, cause they're paid on commission) called me and said they would have to drop the tranny to diagnose and repair. I quizzed him at length about the PCM flash, drive testing, bench testing and he said the the tech found significant problems and need to diagnose. Reluctantly I agreed (little voice in my head screams "No, you stupid man, something's not right...."). No way they had time to do the proper diagnosis, check the fluid level, flash the pcm, recreate the problem, bench test it. No way.
On the way how from work, armed with my tsb's, exploded diagrams, and questions, I wander into the service bay area (off limits to us commoners) and behold, there is my truck, sans tranny. Said tranny is exploded in pieces on the bench, serious looking stuff, not good. I find the adviser and he's with the tech. Gonna be $800 for a solenoid and some bands, cause ones not worknig like the others and the band has some unusual wear. Quizzing the tech, i ask about his diagnosis procedure......... Did he drive it, did he flash the PCM (I knew it was back level), did he do a drive with metering test?
Well, the tech he drove it, but didn't get the 4/5 & 5/4 problem but said it shifted funny. No he didn't flash the PCM. He "pulled the TSB for my tranny" and that's what he looked for and "pre-decided" was my problem. Also asked him about the torque converter whine TSB, he was clueless but would go look it up.
Wednesday morning, got a call that the repair was too expensive now and I would need a new tranny. Of course, I exploded and they agreed to work with the factory service rep for an "after warranty" adjustment.
The offer came back, 50/50 on the new tranny, net $1500 to me..... The service manager after much yelling by me agreed to kick in $300 and a "powertrain warranty" up to 75,000 miles. The warranty is about $1100. That was their final offer.
The kicker in the deal......... they said they would re-assemble my tranny, flash the pcm and give it back to me, no charge. Great offer there......
My options: 1. New tranny, 75K PT warranty, $1200 or
2. Old reassembled tranny by one pissed off tech, new PCM code....
Which wuold you choose?
I took #1 but have been screwed by inept service personnel.
Lessons:
1. Listen to the little voices in your head.
2. Do your research
3. Try the little fixes first (PCM)
4. Get a second opinion?
Questions:
1. Parts cost of new tranny? Labor costs?
2. Should I write Ford? am I wasting my time?
3. Should I have yelled for more or was I done for?
Thanks for listening.
Big R
