Rebuilt transmission, now even more problems!

[askhao]

So at 90k miles, my tranny went out on the 2003 X5 4.4i. I brought it the dealer, and they quoted me $8,500!
So I took it to GIBRALTAR TRANSMISSIONS in Queens. I paid $4,200 to have it rebuilt with a 1 year warranty and now there are problems after problem. Once I got the car back, I noticed a few things:

-stalling every once in a while when I come to a full stop
-lurching forward as I come to a stop (almost as if it doesn't know what gear to be in)
-low idle


I let them know immediately the next day of my problems. So I brought it in, and they plug their computer into the OBD. "No codes. There cannot be any problems." I keep insisting that there IS a problem. They tell me to drive it some more first since the transmission is still new. So I drive it more, and it keeps happening. Today, after 1500 miles on the rebuilt tranny, the problems continue. I brought it in again, and again they plug in their "top of the line" computer. Again, the computer is not throwing any codes. I tell them that the car is definitely idling low, and they see it as well but all they say is that they did not touch the engine, only the transmission which has nothing to do with the cars low idle. Fine, I ask them to go with me on a drive. Every time we go on a drive to try to diagnose the problem, the symptoms do not occur. They say they have no responsibility for what is happening. The technician is a f**king d*ck, talks to me with an attitiude and thinks he knows it all. I try to stay as calm as possible and say "please" and "thank you" when I speak to him.

What do you guys recommend that I do? I did not have these problems before I had the transmission rebuilt but they say that they are not liable for the problems. As long as the scanner is not reading any problems, the dmv will not hold them responsible is what they told me.


Thanks in advance.

[740ilDuke]

I would get it on level ground, and check the fluid level. You can do it anywhere there is a flat surface. It's supposed to be filled until it runs out (speaking to my 2001 4.4) I would have the tech go for a drive or ride with you also, schedule it if necessary. Seems they would be more willing to help you having dropped that kind of cash.

Also, you can disconnect the battery for 15 minutes - which is fun to get to as you may know - but this will reset the car. (you wont loose adaptive values as a dealer has to do that or someone with Progman Software)

I just changed my fluid and filter at 177k miles (just purchased the car) and it still shifts like butter...

Best of luck, I know it is annoying.

[TwinTurboGTR]

No, none of that is right. It's not even right if it were new. It should shift like butter without a hitch. A tranny does affect engine idle. As you will notice, once the car is in park and then drops to the forward gear or reverse gear, will lower the RPM's.

Now it's the city, so I don't know how receptive they would be to it, but let them take the car for 3 days. Have a lead tech drive it. Test drives and crap like that never work because the problem is intermitten. Have someone drive it for a few days. If it doesn't happen then, then you're kind of SOL. You need to prove to them that there is a problem. What you are doing so far isn't doing anything.

Now if they experience the problem first hand and tell you to screw yourself, then only recourse is you go to the BBB, the local business assoc. etc and raise hell. That machine, is not going to throw a code on a mechanical problem for the tranny. Something is out of whack.