Nor Cal Transmission Factory

tansmission blew up 3 weeks and about 80 miles after having it rebuilt took back 3 different times kept getting excuses why it was my fault larry couldnt fix it finally sold my vehicle with the bad tranny for a huge loss because I couldnt afford to fix it after paying norcal to do the job and they refused to ever honor their warranty guy has no clue what hes doing dont know how they been in busines this long

Review: MY CAR WAS STOLEN FROM HIS SHOP AND REFUSES TO ANSWER CALLS.

I bought a car from his friend who referred me to him and said he would fix the car for 800 in addition to what I paid him for car. He charged me 1550 to fix my car with a warranty and said it would last for 200,000 miles. It broke down 8 miles from shop on side of road driving it away. I had it towed back to shop and gave him keys. Refused to repair it without more money, had another tow company come to pick it up to take to another shop and Nor Cal told tow company car wasn't there. He will not return my calls. Desired Settlement: The kbb value of the vehicle in fair condition of $11,370.

Business

Response:

Initial Business Response

I repaired [redacted] (That's last name SHE gave me) Transmission as promised with a 1 year, unlimited mileage warranty & she drove off. After picking truck up it broke down "I" paid and had it towed back to my shop I scanned it with a $10,000 scanner to read the code(s) It showed a sensor in the "Engine" is bad. I offered to repair the problem at my part "Cost" & NO labor fee to help her out, she agreed & left her truck. The Transmission repair cost is $1650.00 she wrote a check for $1550.00 & shorted me $100.00 on her check to me but when she paid me for the sensor I would collect the $100.00 shortage at that time.

I called her to tell her I ordered the part & also reiterating the money shortage when she came to pick her truck up & informed her I charged $50 day after 5 days if she left her truck because the repairs I promised on her Trans was fulfilled.

I cashed check then I got a call from the bank that she stopped payment on her check!

She then left her truck abandon in at my shop calling it stolen & between check shortage of $150.00, Stop payment on check $1550.00 AND leaving her truck calling it stolen I was forced to "LIEN" Sell it to recover my Transmission repairs that were performed & in perfect working order, along with 2 towing fee's, check fees & storage per day at that point.

I have follow all legal procedures in doing so & have been in direct contact with police to confer in order to make sure it is all done legally. Sac PD ref case: XX-XXXXXX.

She tried to report her truck stolen but she was unable to.

All I am asking for is ALL monies owed to me in FULL AMOUNT that have been lost due of Transmission repairs of $1650.00, ALL check fees coupled with $200 towing & $50 a day after the 5 days for storage or I will purse my monies via the sale of her truck via LIEN.

I did everything above and beyond to work with customer but she has made it impossible to rectify this situation.

I do have a witness.

I feel I went above and beyond considering it is a "Engine" issue not anything to do with her Transmission!!!

Final Consumer Response

(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)

I had a towing company pick up the truck the day I wrote the first complaint. He informed the tow truck driver the car was not there and he didn't have it. I then left him two messages, saying where is my truck. Have not heard one response back from him until this. The check cashing company said the check was already cashed. I can give you both numbers of the towing company and check cashing company to verify this information. He gave me a warranty and told me the truck would run for 200,000 miles. It broke down 8 miles down the road.

Hi just got off the phone with the Aacramento police department. they informed the PD reference number was the report I filed about the stolen vehicle, and they had NO response from Nor Cal Transmission on the matter nor did anyone call and say they had my car and were placing a lien on it. They advised me to go and get my vehicle and if he asks for any more money to call them and they would come assist me in getting my vehicle. I gave the police the number of the towing company who charged me 300 to pick up to tow the car and he told the the tow company he didn't have my car. I also gave the police my phone records of the calls I made to Nor Cal Transmission asking where my car was.

This guy is a fraud. He also saying he used his thousand dollar computer to diagnose an ENGINE problem? He used his same computer when I drove the car into his shop and he told me is would cost 800 to fix (then he said 1550, not its 1650). He told me the max it wold cost is 1550 and this would fix all the problems in the car and gave me a WARRANTY!. It broke down 8 miles down the road. The only ENGINE problem arose after he started faulty repairs. Their was no engine problem until he got his hands on my truck. DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS GUY.

Final Business Response

I, [redacted], am sending you my 2nd rebuttal, COUPLED WITH including all the lies in her own words, slandering me in writing on reviews and craigslist, lastly, voicemail left threating me to my phone on Dec 13th, 2013 at 3:53AM (I sent you from email: [redacted]@yahoo.com first)

harassments received from [redacted].

I will be sending you what I have......so be prepared!

First of all she gave me the last name of [redacted] and gave Police & Revdex.com the last name of [redacted] and wrote a REVIEW on the internet as [redacted] slandering me and my business and she also has several different phone numbers along with several addresses and towns.

Second of all off, Regarding her "REVIEW: she posted if compared, you will see all the indescrepancies because [redacted] is MY son not my friend as stated in her attempt to write a slandering review on the internet so obviously [redacted] would know how long I have been in business! Also, she keeps stating she bought her "car", which is not a car it is a huge Ford F350 Diesel Truck, and she says she bought it from my "Friend" whos name is [redacted]!!!!

She bought that truck from one of my customers which name isn't even close to [redacted] and given her level of mental instability he experienced with her, he asked not to be involved, however, if necessary on my behalf he would sign a notarize note for me.

Originally yes the quote was $800 but just for a torque converter and if I had to "Rebuild" it the cost would be $1650. I do not know what it needs completely until I tear it apart and I was completely clear. I've been doing this work for over 30 years and I have hundreds and hundreds of these all my invoices time and time again where that type of truck is the same as hers is $1650.00 ALL DAY LONG!!! Or more!

I will can send you proof of several invoices if you need them.

I told her I do not take checks at the time she called as well as it is stated in writing on my shop wall, however, when she showed said she said that was all she had and I knew she came from Truckee so I accepted it in good faith. When I looked at the check I saw it was made out for the amount of $1550.00 not $1650.00 but she could make up the difference.

She did break down 8 miles from my shop but I PAID FOR THE TOW NOT HER!!!

I also paid for the first tow of $100 so that's twice I paid for the tow which is now $200 for both.

I got the truck back and scanned it with a scanner that will tell you exactly what's wrong with the vehicle (Engine or Transmission) and it was a sensor in the engine. That is thee sole purpose of the scanner!!!

QUOTE "Crank Shaft Position Sensor" Specifically indicates a sensor in the engine NO TRANSMISSION CODES!

This scanner is from snap on and cost $10,000 so I did not just go to auto zone to get some scanner. This scanner is specifically designed for this purpose and needs to be purchased by a Dealer you cannot go to a store and buy it plus I financed it. My work depends on this instrument in troubleshooting.

[redacted] states I wanted more money to fix her truck, yes! The part at cost, which was $27 and I would install it FOR FREE!!!!! Which was reasonable on my part or so I thought considering it's an "ENGINE" sensor also I included I couldn't get to it til Tuesday and she agreed.

Amazing that in her Revdex.com complaint she states she paid $11,000 which she only paid $3,000 for the truck with 256,000 miles on it and she got it for that price because it would need extensive work. I have seen this truck about 5 different times and the previous owner is one of my best customers so I know exactly what she purchased for.

[redacted] also states in her review and to you she said "I SAID" it would go another 200,000! Now how would I know that!?

I don't have a crystal ball!!!!

The truck already has 256,000. I said the transmission should run really good for a long time because it was rebuilt it and when I test drove it, the transmission drove flawlessly, it worked perfect.

I have been building transmissions since 1979 and have owned my business in that same location for almost 21 years I take pride in my vast knowledge and my building experience. I am known and valued in the racing industry for building what most technicians will not do. I am considered an expert in my field and I build ever transmission as if it were my own. It's called work ethics....

I do give an unlimited mileage warranty on certain transmissions and hers is one that applied. I back my warranty because that's how much I believe in the quality of my work and I only use the best parts, oils and lubes. If there is an issue due to the building, I will gladly fix the transmission at no charge.

[redacted] also states I didn't return her calls....I did but the next day. I do all aspects of my business by myself so sometimes I return calls due to it being at a more reasonable hour.

All in all [redacted] or whatever her last name is "STOPPED PAYMENT" on her check to me the next day and I had her truck. That check was for the transmission again worked perfect so that is not a stop payment for "good faith!!!!" also the bank called me to ask me to repay the $1550.00 and that's when I found out the check was stopped so I applied a LEIN SALE to recoup all my monies owed.

As of Jan X XXXX the intruded amount will be:

$4340.00

------------------------------------------

$1650.00 Rebuild Trans

$200.00 towing both times

$50.00 a day storage as posted in my shop office

As of January 7th the truck legally belongs to

Nor Cal transmission Factory

[redacted] Coupled with the Bank is going after her criminally due to that is a criminal offense.

But wait there's more!!

[redacted] W called my cell phone on (Which I emailed you first)

Dec 13th, 2013 at 3:53 AM

She was in a manic tyrant threatening me how she's going to call the police countless times and repeating herself over and over again how I had NO authority to move her truck, work on her truck, even look at her truck...telling me I sold her truck and I had NO authority, again, (Excuse me, she stopped payment to me as well as shorted me money!)

In her Call to me that you will hear she keeps saying "YOU CASHED THAT CHECK!!) Like I did something illegal!

Yes I cashed it I thought it was good first of all and second it was for payment on the Transmission I rebuilt on her truck why wouldn't I cash it????

The whole time she was ranting she was taking these weird hard breaths between her sentences when in fact she is well aware of the LEIN SELL applied on it.

I will be sending THAT copy of the one-way conversation to you if I can also.

I certainly don't want to forget how she drove by another shop on her way out of the Industrial Complex and saw a big white truck and drove up into his garage and demanded "HE" the shop owner, give her back her truck!!

The truck she was referring to was his own personal truck not hers and his is a so much newer truck. Nonetheless she kept demanding him to give her truck back until I got called by him and had to go over and prove to her it wasn't her truck.

So she's also harassing my fellow shop owners!!!!

[redacted] FYI the Sac PD will not even take a report from her. I filled out an incident report so they are clear it is a LEIN SALE and NOT a stolen vehicle. She was bothering them so much they gave her a ref # in hopes shed stop bothering them with this issue!

Sometimes there are valid reasons for stopping payment on a check. For example, if the goods or services paid for with the check were never delivered or were defective. Stopping payment for this reason is called a good faith dispute. She was well aware it was an engine issue NOT transmission. I fulfilled my responsibility to rebuild her transmission which works perfectly, Nonetheless, I am NOT responsible for ANY ENGINE repair(s)....Like I said I was doing her a favor.

Signed

Review: In February 2013 I took my car into [redacted] and he charged me $1700 for a rebuilt transmission and gave me a year warranty. Now I know why its a year warranty. I had to bring my truck back in to him in the past year 4 times. Each time with the same transmission leaks. After the transmission was fixed I had to bring it back in because I was told by another shop that my transmission was leaking, and I was showed the leak. It also had the lights on and was "slipping". I took it to [redacted], he kept it for 3 weeks and said he fixed the problem. The whole 3 weeks he had it I had to contact him because he never kept in contact. He put rotors and brakes on my car and the alignment has been messed up ever since. He also disconnected my XM radio and said he did not touch it, but it was working fine before I took it in. I took it back in to him on the 3rd occasion because the lights came on again and the shop showed me it was still leaking. He kept it for 2 days this time and said he fixed it. The lights came back on again, and once again the other shop showed me it was leaking, and the truck was "slipping" again. It is now in the shop for the same exact problem. He has had it for 9 days, without any contact with me, and has told my dad that its not the transmission that now it is electrical and he will start working on it tomorrow. He hasnt even started working on my car after 9 days! My warranty is up this month of February and [redacted] doesn't want to fix my car because he needs more of my money and cant afford to fix the car that is already under warrantyDesired Settlement: I have to take my car to a reputable shop to have the transmission checked, and would like [redacted] to pay for the transmission to be checked at a shop of my choice. Since my transmission was obviously never rebuilt properly, I would like a refund or at least a partial refund so I can take it to be worked on. I am a single mother of 2 children and [redacted] has taken advantage of me and obviously is not a mechanic and can not fix transmissions

Business

Response:

Case# [redacted]

My response to [redacted]’s complaint:

[redacted] had her transmission worked on by me in 2013 and I issued her a warranty. The warranty is created for problems caused by building only and not parts like any other shop considers standard practice in a warranty in our industry.

[redacted] has brought her older model Isuzu Trooper and has much wear and tear in my professional opinion and a known problematic type of transmission that is manufactured installed. [redacted] also had a Ignition Interlock Device due to a DUI she received, In order to start her vehicle the device needed to be “Blown AND Hummed in it at the same time” As a general rule I would not even consider working on a vehicle that had this device, however,

she assured me she would come ANY time I needed her to start her vehicle so I did not think it would be an issue until it took her 3 weeks to get back to my shop to start it for me to work on!!!

[redacted] I even called the Manufacture to see if I could easily dismantle the device in order for me to start working on it honestly I was not comfortable taking the responsibility of doing that.

From the time I fixed her transmission until now, [redacted] has brought it to me 4-5 times because the check engine/Transmission light goes on thinking it is her transmission, however, it is due to engine issues that I keep explaining to her also I have documented those same exact findings each and every time on every invoice each time she has brought it back because her check engine/Transmission light comes on.

I realize she believes it is her transmission which THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAS a engine/transmission light that is not a usual light most vehicles have as an option it is usually just an engine light which is the common light. I would like to add, this vehicle has a 4L30 E transmission and is known for having a lot of problems and I have a lot of experience in working on them so I took care of all transmission issues when I built it. In this case it is engine only issues causing lights to come on and go into a mode called Limp mode.

Although engine problems ARE the issues with her vehicle, the first time she brought it back it did have soda pop that had spilled on the console that had leaked down to the transmission through the console between the seats where the winter/summer button and a normal or power button on the console between the seat causing the transmission to burn up which,

as a courtesy, I DID fix for FREE and is NOT covered in her warranty and general practice in this industry is NO OTHER SHOP WOULD DO THAT when it is “Customer” carelessness.

Each time [redacted] has brought her vehicle back since then still has been the same engine issues and ALL codes indicate and back up my findings.

CODES:

1.) P0401= Exhaust gas recirculation flow insufficient flow detected.

2.) P0128= Coolant thermostat TSMP setting regulating temp.

3.) P01870 Converter skipping due to not getting to proper temp.

I will explain how these engine codes effect and cause ALL her problems:

The engine is not functioning properly in several ways from all the codes which creates it to overheat and transmission fluid gets too hot and boils the fluid that makes it leak causing it to go into what is called “Limp” mode.

I reiterate, I have these same exact codes on every invoice and I was crystal clear on all occasions to [redacted] in order for her transmission to perform properly that all these issues need to be fixed.

[redacted] keeps insisting it is her transmission because that light does go on; unfortunately I keep getting the same results of all the same engine codes and zero transmission codes. I use a professional Snap-On scanner that cost $10,000 and is a reliable source and along with over

30 year’s experience to determine and back up my findings that have not changed each time she brings it to me!!!

[redacted] brings her Isuzu back to me again 2 days before her “Transmission” warranty is up demanding “I” did something wrong after months of her driving it with no complaints. Her lock down light was on again causing it to go into limp mode and once again the same codes came up, again, are ALL the same exact engine codes!!!!! I can do nothing for her considering it is ALL engine problems.

I realize I deal with the public and it is frustrating not to have your vehicle run, nonetheless, I am free of any obligation due to ANY engine issues. I will back up and go above and beyond to fix any transmission issue that my warranty covers but I do not work on engines. I am a certified ASE mechanic for over 30 years but again choose to specialize in the Transmission industry and I am recognized as a specialist in my field.

To conclude this response, [redacted] needs to have her engine worked badly and until she has those items fixed she will continue to have ALL these issues and think its transmission when in fact it is all engines.

I wish her the best of luck.

Review: Changes quotes, consistent excuses for delays without notification, fails to return calls and car won't idle since he replaced clutch, ran fine before

Recommended by a neighbor I contacted NorCal transmission to replace the clutch in my 07 Sentra. I was quoted 3 days and $350 for labor and I would provide the parts.

5/6 8:00am - Car delivered, quote changed to $475. Owner stated there may be a delay, if so he would contact us. Also told us due to a change from INC to LLC he would only be able to accept cash.

5/8 - No Contact.

5/9 11:30am - I called and the owner told me he hadn't started it yet but he'd have it done by Friday.

5/10 - Called three times, left messages.

5/13 - Wife called, owner said he spent Thursday through Monday morning trying to find a replacement flywheel, he couldn't find anyone to resurface it. He called back to refer us to a vendor with one in stock, we would have to contact them to purchase the part due to save him having to markup the parts. Upon contacting them we found it was for a different engine. Further searching on our part found one available online. I told the owner we would deliver it to him when we got it, he said it would only take 4 hours to install once he had it.

5/20 - The flywheel was delivered to the shop, the owner approached my wife as she pulled in and retrieved the flywheel from our van. He told her he would start it first thing in the morning (Tuesday).

5/21 - No contact.

5/22 - I called and the owner told me he was unable to lift the flywheel into the car and his son would be helping him 5/23 and he should have it ready then.

5/23 - My wife called at 1:30pm and the owner told her he was working on it and would be done that day but wasn't sure when.

5/24 - My wife called at 10:00am, 12:45pm, 1:40pm and again at 2:30pm having left messages on 2 of the 4 calls. I called at 2:40pm and the owner called me back at 2:45pm telling me the car was done. My wife drove to the shop to pickup the car, upon arrival the owner snidely asked "oh I guess you're here to pick up the car?" My wife paid him the $450 he asked for, in cash and asked for the keys. Upon approaching the car she noticed grease stains on the fender, hood, headlight and the passenger rear door and seat. While leaving the lot the car stalled once, she assumed it was just her adapting to the new clutch. Blocks later when the car stalled every time she stopped moving she called me and I told her to take it back to the shop. I contacted the owner and he agreed to meet her at the shop. He arrived after my wife and spent the next 5 minutes on his phone before approaching her. He opened the hood and observed the car stutter and stop running, he stated it must be bad gas, she pointed out to him we had just filled the tank before dropping it off with him. He next told her "I don't do motors and I didn't cause the problem".

She told him that the car didn't drive like this when we handed him the keys before his work.

He replied "I don't know what to tell you, it's just one of those random things". He messed with a few things in the car with no luck.

My wife again stated that the car didn't run like that when we brought it in.

He said "I know, I drove it around the parking lot and it didn't die on me at all".

She asked "okay so you think between me picking it up and leaving your parking lot I made my car idle wrong".

He replied "I don't know." He sprayed the engine with brake cleaner and tried starting it again; he then got his code reader and told her that it was reading cylinder misfire, at this point he has probably restarted the car ten or more times having it die within 10-20 seconds every time.

I arrived and he was removing the plastic trim over the intake manifold. He told me that he didn't have to touch the motor to pull the transmission out and that this was not his problem and he was done. I told him I didn't deliver the car this way and he needed to fix it, this went back and forth before he told me he was done and went into his shop. I parked behind him and told him he need to fix my car before he left, he proceeded to almost hit my car before he took off.

Desired Settlement: I want the car to run like it did before he worked on it. He didn't install the new throw-out bearing and rod we gave him with the new clutch. The clutch is still soft and the car won't idle. He stated he was done with it, I will be taking it to the dealership for troubleshooting and I'd like him to pay for the repair work and completion of the install he didn't complete.

Business

Response:

Business' Initial Response

The story as told will differ a bit. My prices for pulling a front wheel drive vehicle has been the same price for 5+ years $450. For a rear wheel drive the price is $350. On the work order signed by Mr. [redacted] it clearly states $475, $450 for labor and $25 for fluid for transaxle.

Due to recently having a pace-maker put in I could not work for 6 wks. But my son [redacted] and I pulled Mr. [redacted]'s car apart and took the flywheel over to [redacted] on Arden Way and [redacted] confirmed it was a bad flywheel and could not be turned because it was a dual mass flywheel. Mr [redacted] supplied all of his own parts for the repair of his vehicle. I was told all the parts were on the backseat of the car. We installed a used flywheel that was brought to me at my shop. I repaired the vehicle with the parts supplied. I test drove the car in the parking lot of my shop, it ran good, and I put the old parts in the trunk of the car.

Mrs. [redacted] picked up the car, signed the invoice, and paid $450. I did not end up charging for the fluid. Later that evening I received a call that the car was dieing. I went back to my shop @ 4:30 to meet with Mrs. [redacted] to check out the problem. Mrs. [redacted]'s car was running then it would die. I told them that I would have someone look at it Tuesday as the shop would be closed for the holiday weekend. At this point Mr. [redacted] showed up squealing his tires in the parking lot. Mr. [redacted] got very angry so I tried to see if it was a vacuum leak. As I was checking to see if there was a leak, which there wasn't. Mr. [redacted] then started to threaten me verbally and used aggressive body language. At that point I put my tools on my desk and locked my shop up and got in my car to leave. I do not do business with customers who threaten me verbally or physically. As I was leaving Mr. [redacted] blocked me in my car, as he has stated. I told him I would look at it on Tuesday. Again he pulled his [redacted] work van very close to my BMW and blocked me in more. I turned the wheel and drove off. Mr. [redacted] chased me all the way to Marconi Ave and freeway 80. As I was getting on freeway 80 I received a phone call from my shop neighbor, [redacted], who stated Mr. [redacted] was pounding and kicking in my shop door, 4 other tenants in the area also saw this. I called 911. When I returned to my shop the police were there. I explained to them what had happened. How Mr. [redacted] tried blocking me with his company vehicle, threatening me and being verbally abusive. I have filed a complaint with [redacted] as well as consulted an attorney. Blocking me in with his company vehicle is a criminal offense.

Back to the issue at hand. I did labor only, I supplied NO PARTS. Mr. [redacted] said all parts were on the back seat of his vehicle. I do not go looking in customers cars, under seats or in trunks, for anything. I wipe all the cars down with simple green in case of grease on steering wheel.

I also do believe Mr. [redacted] needs some sort of anger management. I would really hate to see what happens in his household when he gets angry.

Consumer's Final Response

Per his statement I was behind him until Marconi and Hwy 80 but I was also pounding on his door as he got on the freeway. I'm not sure how I was in two places at once. I did follow him from his shop, for about 2 blocks before I realized it served no purpose. I don't work for [redacted] so clearly he is lying when he claims to have reported me and had the Sac PD been contacted as he claims they would have contacted me about the alleged battery and vandalization.

He told us about his health issues prior to scheduling the appointment but still told me that he could get the car done in 3 days even after I explained we were in no rush. He also told us that if anything changed or got delayed he would contact us. We had to call multiple times, after hearing nothing 5 days after leaving the car, in order to get updates on our car and it ended up taking 3 full weeks to perform the task he said would take 3 days repeatedly telling us he would update us and consistently missing those follow ups. If he couldn't do the job due to health issues then he should have let us know at the beginning and we could have rescheduled or found another shop.

I never threatened him with anything but legal action, I told him that I wanted/needed my car back to the original running state that it was in when we dropped it off, to include the new clutch and throwout bearing. He never once offered to have anyone else look at the car. After 3 weeks and countless excuses I received a car that would not even idle. My wife and I were clearly upset.

Review: I had my dodge Durango trans rebuilt with shift kit and rear seal on transfer case replaced. Dropped off vehicle 8/6/13 picked up 8/14/13 paid 1,500 for repairs with 1 yr unlimited warranty. On 8/17/13 went to drive my vehicle and noticed trans was shifting sporadic an then finally wouldn't shift from 1st gear. Took it back to nor cal was told needed to replaced bad torque converter again. About 1 week later picked up vehicle drove about 25 mins on freeway then over drive went out along with check engine light coming on. Then trans stop shifting. Contacted [redacted] then had vehicle towed to nor cal. He then informed me that the shift rod inside the trans was sticking and needed to honed out along with a spring asst.kit. Also added additive two fluids. Also recommended to have a bigger trans cooler installed. Picked up vehicle and purchased trans cooler. Drove home and check engine an over drive light came on once again.Trans stopped shifting again. Once again took vehicle back to nor cal was told the shift plate was warped an needed to be replaced. Picked up vehicle again trans still shifting sporadic also stop shifting period. Took it back where it sat for almost a month. Finally got a hold of [redacted] which he told me it needed a new torque converter again also needed new main computer. I then ended up picking up my vehicle an taking it to second shop for diagnosis/opinion. Ended up replacing both sensors inside trans. Trans mission still had sporadic shifting one month later stopped shifting. Tried calling [redacted] got no response back. Vehicle now sits at 3rd trans shop was told trans need to be pulled an rebuilt due to lots of debre an metal shavings.Desired Settlement: Would full refund of 1,500 I feel that I have been very patient with larry. I don't trust his work an just want my transmission done correctly.