Transmission troubles.

patm · 09-09-2011, 05:38 PM

To make a long story somewhat shorter I bought my 05 Slingshot last July in Rogers MN and have driven it about 4000 miles since. The truck currently has 16,000 miles on it.

Before I picked it up I had the dealer install a Corvette servo in it for me. As time has progressed it shifts more and more abruptly, especially in the first to second upshift regardless of of how much you baby it. The truck has only been serviced by GM by the first owner and now the same routine goes for me.

I took it to the local dealer last week and had them replace the servo with the stock one. 2 days and 22 miles later I'm on the side of the road with no transmission and fluid leaking out of the transmission mainly from the cracked cover for the servo.

Fast forward to this Tuesday and the tranny is apart on the bench with a litany of things found to be wrong with it.

If they fix it and apply for warranty I get a 30 day warranty from GM. They're telling me that I may not even be considered for warranty because of the Corvette servo being used. What about the fluid being pumped out of it after they just changed the servo? Nobody wants to talk about that.

I've asked for a new transmission to be installed and one was ordered from the US today. I don't have much faith in the original with all of 16,000 miles on it. I'm told by the Service Manager that if I go that route there won't be any consideration for warranty at all and I'm on the hook for the tranny and the labour because GM will only authorize the cheapest way to fix the problem.

Any help or advise on how to approach these guys or who I could contact to possible get warranty consideration. Nobody at the dealership seems to want to even deal with it and I'm currently getting the old soft shoe from the Service Manager.

Thanks, Pat.

abadssr · 09-09-2011, 05:55 PM

If there sticking you with the new tranny see Greg Ducato from phenioxtran in Texas (red cats husband and he is owner) I would get trans from him also did they warm you about the servo before install if not tell them you think they should pay

DOOPHUS · 09-09-2011, 07:01 PM

Unfortunately, Pat . . . sounds like a "lose lose" situation.

Back in 2008 I ordered the installation of the Corvette Servo at my local Chevy Dealer when The Doophus had about 7k miles on the odometer. I clearly remember the Service Manager alerting me that although they would stand behind their work, the folks at GMPP may, or may not, honor any major transmission repairs in the future due to the modification. I, cautiously, went ahead with the servo change and, KNOCK ON WOOD, have not had any problems but it was a little "uncomfortable" at first.

With this information in mind, my suggestion would be to contact General Motors Customer Service direct (313 556-5000, the only number I have) and explain the situation.

GOOD LUCK

Dragon2U · 09-09-2011, 07:18 PM

If it were me I would work with the dealership/GM Customer support and get the original one repaired if that is what they want to do. I know you want a new one but they should be able to repair the bad one properly. If there are a huge number of things wrong with it they may just buy you a new one anyway.

As you stated, even though you had the Corvette servo installed, they may have damaged the servo cover or not installed it properly and that caused some issues as well. Make that well known when you discuss it with the service department and GM. Ask for a GM rep to get involved and try to work with them.

If you cannot get a total rebuild for free you might be able to work with them and get a 50-50 or 60-40 solution.

Good luck, hope it all works out .....

patm · 09-09-2011, 07:36 PM

The more I think about this I'm going to ask what it was going to cost for a repair job.

My plan is to ask to pay the difference between what it would have cost to repair the old one and what they want for a new one and see what they have to say. So far it's like playing Chess nobody is offering / willing to make the first move.

16,000 miles and it needs a new tranny that to me is just brutal. My second vehicle is an Infinti FX35 with 39,000 kms on it and never in my wildest dreams would that thing need a new transmission.

Greg Ducato · 09-10-2011, 07:43 AM

In my opinion, the dealer who installed the stock servo should be responsible for repairs since they must have made an error in installation which caused a cracked cover. We have installed many hundreds of the Vette servo and have never cracked a servo cover. The confines of the trans tunnle on the SSR require some steps to remove the servo assembly for replacement not needed in some other chassis. It's my guess that the installer fumbled the ball on this one. As far as the harshness of shift you experienced, that could also have been tune related, even a dirty maf sensor can cause this. The dealership must prove the installed part caused the failure of the trans and that would be hard to do considering it is a GM part to begin with....

patm · 09-10-2011, 10:16 AM

Thanks a bunch for the input, I really appreciate it.

I want to go in with as much information as I can.

It seems like you're a great customer as long as it's you doing the giving but now that I'm asking for something in return for my loyalty to them I'm getting a lot of " ya buts and double talk about what the warranty people might say! "

Worse case scenario is I'll pursue it on my own with GM, if management at the dealership won't.

RonJ · 09-10-2011, 10:36 AM

Back in 1996 I bought a Chevy Tahoe brand new. Weeks after the warranty ran out the transmission went out. I had it towed back to the dealer and they said for customer service they would not charge me for the labor just the new transmission. Better than nothing but I think they could of did a little better.

XSELER8 · 09-10-2011, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patm

It seems like you're a great customer as long as it's you doing the giving but now that I'm asking for something in return for my loyalty to them I'm getting a lot of " ya buts and double talk about what the warranty people might say! "

GM dealership service was the poorest, worst, most arrogant...(did I miss any words)......I ever dealt with. The Thanks I got for being a customer was/is a disgrace.

smokey · 09-10-2011, 12:29 PM

We had the same experience with Blues transmission, we had a servo put in and when we drove it to check it tranny fluid was leaking all over. The installer didnt have the clip on the cover plate flat and the pressure blew it out and cracked the tranny housing. The person who put your servo back in is responsible.If you need a new transmission get it from Greg Ducato.

Shadowman · 09-10-2011, 12:43 PM

I have had two SSRs, one needed a trans at 28k the second one needed a trans at 7k. The first one just bit the dust at 28k, the second failed due to an improperly installed corvette servo (or so they thought) Both cases they covered it under the extended warranty. In the case of the second one, they could have said no, but did not. They treated it as if that servo was in there from the factory and since it was a factory GM part anyway, it shouldn't have caused a problem. When they rebuilt the second one i asked if they would install a new corvette servo, I purchased from greg, they said yes and said it would not affect the warrant as it was a factory GM part sort of the same position they took on the one that was in there. I feel for you, it really sucks when you pay that much for one of these cars and have these kind of issues. That's why I always recommend getting an extended warranty if you can when you purchase it. People tell me these are actually good transmissions, can't prove it by me, but I love the car, so I put up with stuff like this, good luck! I will say though, lots of folks have no issues, so go figure.

twooldfarmers · 09-10-2011, 02:52 PM

If you get to the stage where it looks like SMP or Sherwood Chev and GM are not going to cover the cost at a minimum of a 50/50 basis I would be going to Ducato and start with a transmission that would be more able to stand up to the stress that may be applied to the transmission given that motor has been 'stepped on' pretty good.

With that pump atop the motor I would sleep better after those occasions that you just wanna' have a little fun. Just knowing that you have some upgraded pieces in there more capable of absorbing the torque generated should give a better feeling when you want to get into it.

you may need to suggest legal action but of course all this takes time, time you may not want to invest. Small Claims Court is always an option.

Personally I have little but disdain for the 'back shops'. As many of us are aware of they can at times wear even larger 'eye patches' than the slippery devils up front.
Keep us posted

patm · 09-20-2011, 11:43 PM

Well I finally got my truck back today after almost 3 weeks and it' was filthy for starters.

Nice $ 4200.00 bill from the local GM dealer. They gave me a whopping 10% off of parts and 15% off of the labor.

Nice that they marked on the work order that I ran the transmission out of fluid. I'll be letting GM know that this was 23 kms. after they changed the servo for me. They cracked the cover while doing so and now don't want to lift a finger to help or accept any responsibility.

The Service Manager didn't want to deal with the fact that they changed the servo and didn't even test drive the truck after they were done. The truck had one more km. on it than when I brought it in.

The icing on the cake was when I was walking out. The shop foreman hollers out in front of customers and the other Service Advisors, " hey try not to burn the new transmission out " I swear if I didn't have my 8 year old son with I would have walked back and dropped him.

I've got nothing but time and I have a receipt for every nickel spent on this truck. I'll document my experience, submit it and see what GM has to say.

Thanks to all of you who responded and offered your advise.

Pat.

Mr T · 09-21-2011, 05:36 AM

Have the dealership set up an apointment with the GM District Manager. They make routine visits to dealerships in their area. He/She would have the authority to make a decision.

Greg Ducato · 09-21-2011, 05:38 AM

Best of luck to you, from your story it clearly shows you were badly mistreated by this dealership and deserve much better.

twooldfarmers · 09-21-2011, 05:59 AM

that disdain I spoke of just has became more deeply entrenched. Rotten Bastids'

xs-cash · 09-21-2011, 08:46 AM

bad ending to a bad story!!
i sure hope they put in heavy duty parts atleast!!

MnMsToy · 09-21-2011, 09:33 AM

Take them to small claims court ASAP.

patm · 10-05-2011, 02:32 PM

So I've spoken to " Janey " from GM Canada 3 times now.

First Janey knows nothing about transmissions, 2nd if she leaves you a voicemail it takes her 3 days to call you back.

The last call went like this. " There's really nothing we can do because you wanted a new transmission with 3 years warranty instead of us repairing the old one with a litany of problems with it and would only warranty it once, for 30 days. "

The Tech who took it apart told me it was basically junk, at 16,000 miles. Come on! Nobody wants to even discuss the fact that they changed the servo, cracked the cover and it ran itself out of fluid after 23 kms without even a test drive after the servo change.

FWIW, the new GM transmission shifts the exact same way from 1st to 2nd. It literally jars you in the seat instead of upshifting smoothly regardless of how hard or slowly you accelerate. I cringe thinking my new Dyno Tech driveshaft is going to spin off of it every upshift.

My new friend Janey is now on holidays for a week so my intent is to take to a reputable transmission shop and ask him to drive it and see what he says and get back to her with his findings when she returns.

Fun truck to drive and I love the hell out of it but what a pain for service.

Greg Ducato · 10-05-2011, 03:02 PM

I sure wish you were closer, I would love to be able to help you out with this. have your trans shop scan the computer and make sure you have no codes such as 1870 or others can lead lead to an excessively harsh 1-2 shift. Check the engine side too, some engine performance codes can effect the trans.

patm · 10-05-2011, 05:36 PM

Thanks Greg will do.

I sure wish I lived closer as well. What a sick feeling to plunk down $ 4200.00 and have the thing drive the same way.

I booked an appointment for next Tuesday at what's supposed to be the best place in town, to have them test drive it and see what they think.

I'll also bring the code information with me as well. Thank you very much for this, certainly appreciated.

Pat.

turnheadz · 10-05-2011, 07:22 PM

don't give up the fight Pat. Best of luck after Thanksgiving

53wanab · 10-09-2011, 08:26 PM

Sorry to hear of your bad GM experience.I,d send a letter to GM central office in a heart beat.The fact that they did the original work and won't stand behind it is crimminal.You could have bought a brand spankin new Phoenix fully upgraded unit with a 3000 rpm stall converter for conciderably less $$ and not have to be concerned about what that blown HP could do to a stock tranny.
53wanab dynoed at 525HP and Iv'e now got 32k on her.All but 6k is with the new tranny and supercharger engine mods. Good luck to you,but I think I'd take that tranny back to GM for that kind of cash.