Kinda Bent about the latest Tranny sensor repair....

[2_2COOL]

Breware! This is a "rant"!!!

Took my PT in last night to get the transmission Speed Input Sensor replaced , yet again. Hubby was busy, so the PT sat around for just over a week waiting for a convenient time to go into the shop ...
So, anyway, they look up my file & see that the last time this part was replaced was June 24, 2003. "Wow, this happens a lot , huh?" they ask...looking sorta shocked. "Yeah, 5 times in a year", I say with a shake of my head.
So, they look back through my Service File ( rather thick, I noticed) to the original replacement date of my very first Input Sensor .
Apparently it was done on Sept. 20, 2002. Turns out the warranty is 12 mos./12K miles. If I had taken the PT in last week,when it first broke down, the part would have been covered under the ORIGINAL part's warrenty. But ,because I took it in yesterday--Sept. 22, 2003, I missed being covered by 2 lousy days. 2 days that the Service Dept. isn't even open. That really pisses me off. So, now I "might" have to pay the $100 deductible again. On a $5 part...(plus labor).
I MAY get lucky however, because the part that was replaced on Sept. 20, 2002 blew out almost immediately & was again replaced on Sept. 30, 2002. So, they "think" they might be able to sneak that in as the replacement date & get me out of paying a deductible. I also have to pay $110 ( if not covered by my full coverage extended warranty & my service contract), because the PT started running VERY rough & vibrating when I started it up yesterday to take it down.
I thought I was covering my behind on this type of repair, by buying a full coverage extended warranty & a service contract.....and I probably have....but I still rabidly HATE having to pay repair bills after paying $3800 already into the coverage contracts!! I just hope it all ends up being covered....and I get to walk for $100,or less. 'Cause, now that I think about it....I'm gonna pay a $100 deductible for whatever was making it run rough anyway. Duh.
Oh well, still wanted everyone to be aware that EACH new part even when covered under warranty, do NOT have their own warranty. Somehow they date it back to the ORIGINAL repair date & that's how they work it. I specifcally asked , and that's what I was told.
Seems rather stupid, but then, that's red tape for ya!!
Thanks for letting me vent.

Oh...there were a couple of cool things. They liked the PT & all came out to look it over & they assigned the Foreman to be the guy doing the work on my car...so we can get down to the bottom of this thing. And, the sales guy ( also a PT owner) was really nice & took pity on me. He let me get into a $50K Crossfire & play around for a little while!! That was fun. I told him he'd have to drag me out of it .....LOL. Man, is that thing COOL!!!!!! I waaaaaaaant one! ( as soon as I win the lotto).

[sohmer]

2_2COOL,
If it were me I would get DC involved in this. Actually I would have after the 2nd or 3rd replacement. Anyway there's no way that you should have to expect to replace this part, at a rate of 5 per year, now paying for it, for the life of the car. This problem was first detected under warranty, not corrected,simply band-aided and needs to be fixed, under warranty. Get DC involved.

[lisa]

Originally posted by sohmer
2_2COOL,
If it were me I would get DC involved in this. Actually I would have after the 2nd or 3rd replacement. Anyway there's no way that you should have to expect to replace this part, at a rate of 5 per year, now paying for it, for the life of the car. This problem was first detected under warranty, not corrected,simply band-aided and needs to be fixed, under warranty. Get DC involved.

I agree-that is a bunch of BULL. It should not matter when the original part was replaced. If a part doesn't work-it should go by the date it was installed-especially if it was still under warranty!!! Not to mention that the replacement should come with the same warranty as the original part. OOOOHH, these kind of creeps make me so mad!!! It seems like some strange type of double talk-DC service is speaking with a forked tongue!!!

[heart_of_dixie]

Yes PLEASE!!! send an email to DC! I did after mine had to be towed in for the second time over the battery problem. I told them my first cruiser was perfect and NEVER had to be taken in, the mentioned the "L" word with this one.... and I received a VERY quick reply, plus they contacted the service folks who had my cruiser and they contacted me too.

I would tell them either they fix it and guarantee it FOREVER warranty or not....or get you another cruiser. I might also mention getting your local TV and newspapers involved (just to help light a fire under them).

Good luck!
Stephanie in Alabama

[JOEM]

I agree with Lisa and sohmer, Rachael. I understand your dealership seems to be relatively cool and all, but if this fix doesn't take, it's time to get the DC district rep involved and start talking Lemon Law. This is a warranty repair since their original repair didn't take. Don't stand for this!

Is the Crossfire really going for 50K? With it's (relatively) low HP, it's gonna get creamed in the marketplace!

[FranksredPT]

$50,000 for a Crossfire? Sorry, that kinda shocked me a little. Yeah, I'd complain to DC too. E-mail, call, what ever it takes. Just doesn't sound right.

[2_2COOL]

Thanks everyone. I was going to try & push for no deductible, even if they asked for it...siting that they OBVIOUSLY weren't repairing the REAL problem, just making the car run to get me out the door.
For now though, they are having their top guy look it over & I've been told that the REAL cause will be found. I'm HOPING I won't have to make a scene...'cause these guys are pretty decent ( as far as "stealership" personnel are concerned) . Alhough the situation is total BS. The Fremont dealership is a total loss- I can't even set foot on their lot- so I MUST work with these people. I WILL get a DC rep. involved if the $100 ends up being paid, if the repair only consists of a new sensor, and...I definitely will be making a file , regardless, if I lose another input sensor.
Would someone have an email or phone contact ...to let me know where to begin?? Or, is that info in my Owners Manual?

Anyway, I guess I'll know the verdict later today. Till then I'm holding out hope that it'll REALLY get fixed this time. The guys did look abashed when I said it was sad that a 3& 1/2 year old car ,that I was still paying for , was no longer considered reliable transportation!! ( As they well should).

And Joe- Yep, with mark-up of $5K the Crossfire was $50K & change. What kinda HP does it have? The sales guy was very honest. He said he got lucky & was able to drive one in a competition for DC employees .The car did well in maneuvers, but got 'walked all over" by a 350Z in the straight-away....

[bigjim]

The first thing you should do is after you get it fixed ,wait about a month then take it back to the same dealer and trade it in on a new Pt. Then if the extended warranty is still free you'll come out ahead. Let them explain the problems to the next sucker who comes along .It sounds like you can't loose. But they can.

[2_2COOL]

Sorry- No trading in my baby. I have too much time & LOTS of mod $ Money $in it. Now's when I wish I hadn't gone so 'mod happy' thru the entire thing ( interior, exterior, engine, suspension, stereo, etc.) Plus, it's almost paid for.
I still have extended warranty & service coverage for another 47K miles/3.5 years, so......
I guess that still leaves me time to change my mind , or see that the problem gets squared away- with or without a fight.

Other than this ONE big issue/ problem ( this last year...out of 3.5 I've owned it) it's been a good little car & I've enjoyed it.

[JOEM]

Originally posted by 2_2COOL

And Joe- Yep, with mark-up of $5K the Crossfire was $50K & change. What kinda HP does it have? The sales guy was very honest. He said he got lucky & was able to drive one in a competition for DC employees .The car did well in maneuvers, but got 'walked all over" by a 350Z in the straight-away....

It has the 215-horsepower, 3.2 liter V6. Which puts it at the very bottom of the premium performance coupes. It's base price is supposed to be $34,495, so a "real world" price of $50K is particularly outrageous. Overpriced and underpowered. Shades of the "new" Thunderbird...

I agree, Rachael, you should keep your Cruiser--you've made it into a real gem. Just make 'em fix it!