My Rip-Off

 On June 2, 2005 , my vehicle developed transmissions problems while in Marietta Georgia . This transmission problem consisted of the overdrive light flashing on and off which then progressed into the transmission completely locking up within 2 minutes afterward. At this time, I contacted Mr. Transmission in Marietta and had my vehicle towed to their location.

  On the following day, June 3, 2005 , I was told that my entire transmission unit would need to be replaced as the damage was too extensive to rebuild my unit. I authorized repairs at this time, which also included a transmission cooler.

  I picked up my vehicle on June 9, 2005 and paid $3,234.90 for repairs that included a transmission cooler and a two year/24,000 mile warranty. I drove the vehicle to a friend’s house in Marietta at this point. The house is located about six miles away from Mr. Transmission.  I had found it odd that my clock and preset radio stations did not require resetting. Whenever a battery is disconnected it erases your clock and radio stations. The first step in major repairs to an automobile is to disconnect the battery as outlined in all repair manuals. However, I did not encounter any problems on the six-mile drive to my friend’s house. My dash temperature gauge was working at this time as it was prior to taking my car to Mr. Transmission. While parked at a friend’s house, I noticed an extensive coolant leak. I called Mr. Transmission at this time to let them know that there was a coolant leak. Upon examination, I discovered a burst coolant hose. This was an original hose and it was swollen. A swollen hose indicates that it is highly probable of normal wear. The hose was replaced and coolant was added. 

 I proceeded home to Cartersville at this point, taking I-75 northbound from the Canton road entrance. Shortly after passing the Barrett exit on I-75, my overdrive light started flashing. I pulled off at the next exit, which was Chastain. Upon examination, I noticed transmission fluid leaking from the auto. When I checked the transmission fluid level, it was noted to not show up on the dipstick. I notified Mr. Transmission and a tow truck was sent. No auto rental businesses were open at this time and I was stranded. I was forced to rent a hotel room and obtain a rental car the next day, June 10, 2005 .

  The vehicle was towed back to Mr. Transmission that evening and I called them the next day. I was told that the transmission unit would be replaced again as the unit installed was probably defective. The Mr. Transmission representative, Pablo, stated that he had never had a problem with a replacement transmission unit from Performance before.

Throughout the next upcoming days, I drove to Mr. Transmission twice to check on the progress of my vehicle. On June 15, 2005 , I came back for the second time. The car rental charges were starting to add up at this time and it became evident that there was a problem fixing my vehicle. On this day, Pablo told me that Mr. Transmission would pay for another rental car. I proceeded to rent a car from Auto Save on this day.

  I called numerous times during the week that began on June 19, 2005 . I was told that there was a problem with my vehicle other then a transmission problem. Pablo stated that this problem was causing the transmission to overheat. However, the problem was not immediately identified. Pablo talked of replacing an engine coolant temperature sensor, doing a compression test, and switching the computer in my vehicle to see if that was the problem. On June 22, 2005 , he told me that he had found the problem. The wiring for the coolant temperature sensor needed to be replaced. He suggested an area Good Year auto shop to do this and I agreed. At this time he stated that the car was drivable for short periods and that the Good Year employees would be able to drive the vehicle the short distance to their shop.

  On June 24, 2005 , I picked up my vehicle from the Good Year shop. The wiring to the coolant temperature sensor was replaced. I noticed immediately that my left front tire hubcap was missing. However, it is unknown where this hubcap was lost. I do note that Haynes repair manual lists taking off the front left tire as a step in replacing a transmission in my car.

  Upon starting my vehicle, I noticed that the dash temperature gauge was no longer working. I talked to Wiley at Good Year about this. He stated the wiring he replaced had nothing to do with my dash temperature gauge. In fact, he told me that the wiring he replaced was because the vehicle would only stay running for short periods without it.

  I drove the vehicle in Marietta city traffic with no problems for about an hour. There was no problem except for the temperature gauge not working and I did notice that my vehicle sounded louder during acceleration. At this point, I started driving my car back to Cartersville. I entered I-75 northbound at the South Marietta ramp. Shortly before reaching the Canton road exit my transmission overdrive light began to flash. I pulled over in a service station and noticed transmission fluid leaking.

  Once again, a tow truck was called and my vehicle was towed back to Mr. Transmission. Once again, I was told that other components were responsible for causing my transmission to overheat. At this point, I was told that Mr. Transmission could do nothing for the problem, as it was not being caused by the transmission. I found this odd as there was no problem with my vehicle except for my transmission locking up when I brought it to Mr. Transmission. In fact, just 3 to 4 weeks before I broke down, I had driven my vehicle over the Smokey Mountain Range without any problems. My vehicle was filled with transmission fluid and I drove it across the street to the Ford dealership. Once again, I had to get a rental car.

  I picked up my vehicle from the Ford dealership on June 30, 2005 . Their findings concerning the transmission overheating and leaking transmission fluid: There was a leak in the transmission lines. The transmission cooler placed by Mr. Transmission was not adequate for cooling the transmission. The transmission had the wrong dipstick tube installed and the dipstick was damaged. The transmission was overfilled by five quarts of transmission fluid.

  This is evidence of gross negligence and incompetence. In addition: the air cleaner box was damaged (the cause of the increased noise during acceleration) and vented transmission fluid clogged the mass air filter. The inoperative dash temperature gauge was caused by damaged wiring. Mr Transmission had replaced a sensor which had the sole purpose of doing nothing but supplying the dash temperature gauge. It is very apparent who caused the problems with my temp gauge wiring.

  The after market transmission cooler was removed and the transmission lines were rerouted back to the stock cooler. Mr. Transmission had cut to the lines to the stock cooler when they placed on the after market cooler. The transmission cooler, which they replaced the stock cooler with, was designed to be an auxiliary cooler rather then a stand alone cooler. The unit they used was a Hayden 403. When eliminating the stock cooler Hayden states that a large cooler be used. The Hayden 403 is designated as a medium cooler. In addition, Hayden recommends the use of a radiator tank cooler when this is done in order to comply with most auto manufacturer’s warranties. This was not done. Having the wrong transmission dipstick tube, a damaged dipstick, and having the transmission overfilled by five quarts speaks very strongly also.

  It cost close to $2000 in repair bills and auto rentals before my car was fixed. I  pursued this case to the Better Business Bureau, the Mr. Transmission shop that did the repairs, and the Mr. Transmission franchise. The only output I had was from the shop that did the repairs which was an offer to reimburse me $795.02. I declined this offer and I will be taking them to court. I'll keep everyone posted about this upcoming case.

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