Rik

This is from the "are they kidding?" section...

Have a 2003 4WD Liberty Limited that was running fine except it always being somewhat difficult to shift back into 2WD from any other setting. (Part-time 4WD, 4WD, etc.)
Had two tires replaced recently and was told some seals were leaking in back.

Few months later went to the dealer for a look at them and an oil change.
Was told they couldn't do an oil change because the oil pan was rusted out and so was the transmission pan. And was told I shouldn't drive it very far without having it all worked on for $2500....pans, seals and fluid.

Drove the 2 KMs home and checked the oil and transmission and both seemed fine but as I knew there at least some small leaks, I made the appointment to have the work done.
When I called for the appointment I was then told I shouldn't have driven it home and that I would likely damage the transmission driving it back for the work.

UGH.

The next morning the fluids still seemed to be within limits so I drove to the dealer.
$2500 later when I picked it up they told me they should have told me before doing the work that the transmission might be toast but they hoped they caught it in time.
Should have told me before?
Hoped it worked?
Not a good time for that.

Anyway I drove it away and tried various things on the way home, and noticed the Jeep would NOT get out of 4WD at all, no matter what I did.

I knew it was in 4WD because it was almost impossible to turn a sharp corner on asphalt without hearing and feeling all the tires working against each other....and from the sound of the tires on the short highway drive home.
So the next morning I went back to the dealer, thinking if they could at least get it out of 4WD I could use it.

They took it for a short test drive around their parking lot. I could hear the front tires screeching in the tight turns of the pavement and was astonished when I was told it wasn't in 4WD at all but that because I let the transmission fluid leak out it wasn't shifting correctly any more.

It was pretty clear to me it was in 4WD mode but she said the 4WD indicator in the dash wasn't on so it was in 2WD mode.
Oh.

Then she said I should start looking around for a rebuilt transmission....maybe on Kijiji.
She again wished they had told me the transmission might be toast before they did the $2500 of work. Of course I likely would hve gone ahead anyway but I'm not sure. Money was tight.

$#%$#%$#

So I drove it around for as few hours and finally got the thing out of 4WD mode and it's been fine for a month now.
I'm afraid to put it back into 4WD but I'm more afraid to ever go back to that dealer for even a windshield wiper.

Did I mention I live in New Glasgow?

Does this sound at all like the work of professionals?

****ADDED BY REQUEST****

Atlantic Dodge Chrysler Jeep
300 Westville Road
New Glasgow
Nova Scotia

Mr White

iTrader: (1)

Sorry for all your problems, looks like they saw $$$$$ when you arrived. Maybe you could mention the sdealership so no one else will be so badly taken for ride. Problem is (I understand) not everyone has a friend (member on this site) as I do to ask for help in matters like this b/4 a major job. Just "EDIT" ur post an input their name

Rik

Wish I'd been here first.

04WJGuy

Sorry to hear about you poor experience with the dealer. It's always amazed me how the service falls apart after you've taken the vehicle off the lot.

oldfart

Did you check the fluid level in the transfer case? it's seperate from the transmission. It's not unusual for the t/cases to get sticky sometimes, especially if they are not used often or are low on fluid. Linkage might also be out of adjustment.

Rik

I have not but I will.
That woiuld make sense though because my girlfreind actually owns the vehicle and hadnt done much to it in the 4 years before I met her and it still only has 100000 kms on it.
Silly of me to expect the dealer to have checked that for the price of the wor,k before telling me to look for a used transmission isnt it?

Thanks.

debsred11

Pretty poor business practices I would say. Its like you have to be the expert to go to the experts.....however in their defense when you have alot of knowledge in a particular field sometimes they have a hard time remembering that and putting themselves in your shoes. Im sure we are all guilty of the same from time to time. And they cannot fix anything till they know its broken, I would certainly recommend you speak to the Service Manager at the dealer so he/she knows what staff are up to, thats their job, to manage their people. Boycotting of course is another solution, however that wont fix the underlying problem.

Rik

[QUOTE=however in their defense when you have alot of knowledge in a particular field sometimes they have a hard time remembering that and putting themselves in your shoes.[/QUOTE]
LOL....I find it hard to believe any of their actions displayed a lot of anything that anyone would find useful, and hope they arent anywhere near my shoes....ever.

debsred11

I do not disagree with you my friend, however lets just say Im THE BIGGEST proponent of giving everyone the "benefit of the doubt"....Yes I know its huge $$$....but if buddy doesnt say anything then nothing will be learned....so its all for not. If you are going to bitch, bitch, bitch, then do something about it....?

My heart is heavy today.....I washed my Jeep, cleaned her all up.....looks great....however, a young man lost his life....hung himself, not too far from my home, at the age of 13....because "back to school" he was bullied. I have 3 sons 35, 26 and 23.....we are all devasted.......and any one of them could punch anyone's light out in a minute.....they are all hockey/soccer/football players....why can life be that bad for a young man at 13, that he chose that road????

I dunno guys/girls?? Maybe I should just ignore it and not pay attention....but again that would defeat his purpose????

Sorry to be a downer....however you people made my day with the "wave" question.....

Happy Trails

Rik

Note: I believe it was the service manager that tested the vehicle in the parking lot and didnt recognize the machine was stuck in 4WD. Well after all, the 4WD indicator in the instrument panel light wasnt lit up.
I'm guessing those lights really are called idiot lights for a reason.

So I'm not sure meeting the service manger about this situation is a very useful action.