Hi. This is mainly addressed to the line mechanics in the group, though of course I will welcome constructive opinions from anyone.
I'm looking for advice on the best way to approache the scenario I'll describe below to be fair and at the same time try to gain the best outcome.
I have a 97 Avalon that I bought used in 2000 with about 63k miles. The car now has about 112k miles on it. Since I bought the car I've taken meticulous care of it, doing all scheduled maint. ahead of schedule. I have had the trans flushed (not drained and filled) approx every 18 months.
About a month ago I took the car into the dealer to have it checked out as I planned on driving it from NJ to OH this week for a family reunion. On Sunday the check engine light came on (for the first time ever). I was about 10 miles from my house, so I pulled over and checked all the fluids. Everything was full and clean (oil, power steering, transmission, coolant, brakes).
On Monday I took the car in for a previously scheduled appointment at a car audio dealer for a refit of all new speakers and amplifiers. This process was not done in time to get the car into a Toyota dealer on Monday. During the service the battery was disconnected and the check light went out. However, after driving for about 2 miles it came back on.
The first thing on Tuesday I had the car at the Toyota dealer. They said the car needed a new (rebuilt) transmission (as well as a few other things that I doubt - such as a valve cover and plenum gasket that they had replaced only 20 months ago and show no signs of leakage). I took the car to AMCOO for a 2nd opinion.
AMCOO had the car for about 5 hours before telling me that they didn't think there was anything wrong with the transmission - the owner said it shifted like a dream. He said the check code seemed to be an electrical abberation. He explained the electrical system is a computer and the battery was putting out less than 12 volts and the alternator was barely charging it at all. He said both needed to be replaced. He tried to get the alternator Tuesday, but couldn't locate one in northern NJ and had to get one from Brooklyn NY, and the delivery truck got stuck in traffic. It got delivered and installed early this morning (Wed). They then flushed the transmission (as part of their new pay once get it flushed every year program). He said they then tested all of the gears under load for about 15 minutes, then road tested it. They called me, I picked it up, drove it home, packed, and hit the road.
After about 20 miles the check engine light came on again !! I immediately turned around - intending to take it back to AMCOO (it would have been about 4:40 when I got there, and they close at 5). However, when I got off the interstate the car wouldn't engage into gear again from a stop (at a traffic light). I had to get help pushing the car to the side and called AAA.
After getting it towed to my apt, we noticed a trail of fluid from the streed to the parking lot, and then a pool of fluid under the transmission. I started the engine and sure enough the dipstick read dry.
So, with that scenario - here are my options - as I see them.
Tomorrow - bright and early - go to the AMCOO store (by bus, I guess) and present this scenario. Ask them to help me get the car into their garage ASAP to check to see if the leak is due to some sort of part failure, or some mistake that they made.
I don't know if it would be OK to try to put fluid in it and drive it down, or if I should insist on having it towed. If it's towed, and it turns out it is a part failure, I think it would be reasonable for them to expect me to pay the tow. If it's something they did, then they should pay the tow (in addition to whatever other remedy we work out).
I think I want to be under the car watching this inspection.
So, a coupld of questions for the mechanics:
1) Is there any transmission part that you know of that could throw a 'miscellaneous' transmission code (that's how Toyota phrased it to me), and could run fine for a while, then go from running perfectly fine to bad in a matter of only a mile or two, and cause the fluid to all drain out?2) If a customer came into your shop and tried to be up front in dealing with something like this, do you think most shops would tend to deal forth rightly, or am I likely to get shafted?
3) If today's problem was not caused by a bad part but was negligence, would there be much of a chance that the trans would be OK with just fixing the error (if possible) and filling with fluid? Or, should I hold out for something more.4) If I should 'hold out for something more', what would be reasonable? Would it be reasonable to expect them to pony up for an entire rebuild seeing as how I have about 112k miles on the car, or would some sort of split be normal? (I had already decided not to replace the transmission and to shop for another car - so the amount I'd be willing to put in is limited, esp seeing as how I've already put in almost $600 for the battery and rebuilt alternator (which seems high to me, by the way).
- TIA -
Bill F