Thread: Just Copped a pineapple

Originally Posted by TREX

Well it seems i just copped another pineapple from a dealer over here in Coffs Harbour. Had a bit of an issue with SWMBO's Disco 3 dropping into limp mode whenever the gearbox was under big load otherwise it drives fine. I had the sump changed to the steel pan a few years ago and was getting regular oil changes so i dropped it into the stealer against my better judgement as i have worked for manufacturers before and understand the value of factory training and having the right diagnostic equipment. This time however i should have just set fire to the $528 it cost me to get the car back. I explained my complete outrage at the cost of downloading the codes and was politely told that they checked the wiring and made sure there were no electrical faults. I explained that if it were an electrical problem wouldn't it happen all the time not only under load but this fell on deaf ears. So all i got for my money was a print out of the codes and them to tell me that i need a new gearbox which they then proceeded to quote me $18 000. I told em this was a *&^%$ joke and it would make the car uneconomical to repair, but again it fell on deaf ears. Anyway after having calmed down and taken my business elsewhere i have dropped the car off at an Autotrans place and will await the outcome of someone actually having a look inside and see what the damage is.
Sorry for the rant but sometimes it just disappoints me taking my car to the specialists for them to just want to be robots/monkeys and just change components, something i could even do.
Does anyone recomend somewhere to buy a new box and what sort of price range am i looking at? Just want to be prepared for a worse case scenario.

Thanks

I've heard so many stories over the last few years of people with all brands of cars having auto issues and being told the auto is stuffed by the dealer and the only fix is thousands for a new box and they decide to take it to a decent repare place only to find it was a few hundred dollars for a valve that sticks when it is hot or a faulty sensor or similar

Unfortunatly the Dealers will consider the trans just another part to be fitted if the computer says so. Dealers have no diagnostic skills now beyond this and the mechanics are basically parts swappers. I would doubt they would have any idea of what actually happens between the engine and tyres to be honest.

To add insult to injury, I'd be surprised if anyone higher than a 1st or 2nd year apprentice did the job - there's usually 4 of them for every fully qualified mechanics in these places all being 'supervised' of course...

Just get it rebuilt. Should cost around $4k to $5k . Will need to get the torque converter checked out too add a bit more for that. Mine was done at 198k kms now drives like brand new. ZF themselves do rebuilds for extra piece of mind. Mine was done by a auto trans shop in Perth.

x2.

Yep, agree no real mechanics with diagnostic skills in dealers at all these days. They plug in the computer and replace parts. That's it. You have to go to specialists or good independents to find someone who knows how to diagnose and problem solve. This is good for warranty stuff, might as well have a new bit instead of a repaired bit. But out of warranty forget the dealers.

Originally Posted by Koukandowie Brangus

..So all i got for my money was a print out of the codes and them to tell me that i need a new gearbox

What were the codes?

Depending on the codes may just be the mechatronic unit.

Originally Posted by Russrobe

Just get it rebuilt. Should cost around $4k to $5k . Will need to get the torque converter checked out too add a bit more for that. Mine was done at 198k kms now drives like brand new. ZF themselves do rebuilds for extra piece of mind. Mine was done by a auto trans shop in Perth.

Yeah maybe less (!) even - I've been quoted $3500 for a rebuild. $18k is outrageous!!

I once had an Indie charge me $400 to do a job I didn't ask them to do and could have done myself with the nanocom. WTF?!