Portland Transmission Co, Inc.

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # ***
When I received the initial phone call with the problems to the vehicle, I was asked how many miles we drive each year I informed *** that I didn't know because we had just bought it September He said to see what she has drove since then and if it was around miles or so then we should fix it because then we would get to years out of it but if around miles then he suggested not fixing it because it wouldn't last long and we would be wasted our moneyThe day we picked up the car he had told my aunt the same thing, that we should get to years out of the transmissionI do not recall Ever being told that these transmission last to about 125,miles Then why would I fix it when it has over 133,miles???????????? Yes we were told it was test driven BUT for how long?? MINUTES? MIUNTES?? DID YOU TEST DRIVE IT ON THE HIGHWAY?? I stand by my argument that Portland did NOT diagnose and repair the car properly
Regards,
*** ***

On Monday April 3rd the *** *** was brought to Portland Transmission by *** ***The vehicle is equipped with a liter engine, 6T75E transmission with an all-wheel drive systemThe vehicle is primarily operated by her daughterIt was relayed to me, *** ***, the Service
Advisor that the vehicle would not accelerate beyond 40mph and had three transmission related malfunction codesVehicle was scanned, it was confirmed there were malfunction codes within the TCM system memoryThe active status of the code Pis indicated with an "*", others were present in memory*P0752: Shift solenoid "A" stuck on P0877: Transmission fluid pressure switch circuit low voltage P0989: Transmission fluid pressure switch circuit low voltage Pis referred to as a mechanical malfunction code as it is monitoring the behavior of a valve whereas both Pand Pare considered electrical but based on mechanical data valuesAll three of the listed codes indicate malfunctions in a specific and particular part of the transmissionThis area of the transmission can be accessed without removal of the transmission itself reducing technicians time to remove, inspect, test and evaluate malfunction(s) and hence lower labor charge*** *** was called and advised on the nature of the malfunction codes and that removal of the transmission was not necessary to evaluate their natureShe consented to the removal of the components for inspection and evaluationWith the front cover of the transmission removed (necessary to access and remove both the upper and lower sections of the control valve body), there is a limited exposure of the remainder of the transmissionFrom this perspective as shown in IMG_1784, two small cavities are exposed and the condition of the transmission fluid can be readily sampledSuch was done prior to removal of the control valve body and its condition was determined to be fair and without any notable contaminationThat in and of itself bares the evidence that lead to the conclusion of a somewhat limited repair being necessaryUpon removal and inspection of the control valve body, the ruptured manifold switches on its upper portion validated the systems malfunction codes of both the Pand PPlease note IMG_ Pand PCircuit/System Description The transmission fluid pressure (TFP) switch assembly is part of the control solenoid (w/body and TCM) valve assembly and is not serviced separatelyThe TCM supplies volts to each TFP switch via its respective signal circuitThe TFP switch assembly has an internal case groundEach TFP switch is normally closed, LowWhen oil pressure is present at the TFP switch, the switch is Open, HighThe TCM monitors each normally closed TFP switch signal circuit to determine clutch statusThe lower section of the control valve body was then removed and shift solenoid A was testedPCircuit/System Description The shift solenoid (SS) valve is part of the lower control valve bodyThe SS valve is a normally closed (NC) solenoid valve and controls fluid to the clutch select valve and related clutchesDuring this diagnostic test, intrusive actions are taken by the transmission control module (TCM) to test the SS valve to determine if the valve is stuck OFFWhen in first gear engine braking, if first gear ratio is not achieved in a predetermined period of time and the closest gear ratio detected is fourth, the TCM commands second gear and if second gear ratio is attained, this would indicate a stuck OFF SS valve and the DTC setsThe upper and lower sections of the control valve body were ordered, assembled and installedAs each upper section (which houses the TEHCM or computer control module) is received in a "blank" state, they must be programmed for proper communication capability with the remainder of the vehicles other computersUpon completion of the programming, the transaxle was filled with its original fluid and the vehicle was startedNote attachment pertinent to changing fluid when the time and dating of transmission service is unknownYes, the fluid was of its original rosy-red/maroon coloration but the vehicle has in excess of 125,and had recently been operated at 40mph while in a lower gear than was which will/would and did result is a darkened change of colorIt's feel was consistent with Dexron VI in good condition, it was clear of any debris having drained in excess of quarts for the procedure which further allowed a more than adequate sampleThe repairs we deemed to be both necessary and effective were performed, the vehicle was then test driven by the Service Manager who additionally performed the Relearn ProcedureThe Relearn Procedure can only be performed with the internal temperature above degrees which is also necessary to check the fluid level of it properlyThe customer was called and notified the vehicle was ready and operating properlyWith respect to the statement "We were told the car was all fixed and we should get at least to years out of the car." No. The customer was told their particular transmission has a typical lifespan of less than 125,so with in excess of that (133,on the odometer), they were on borrowed timeThey were further advised to get into the habit of backing the vehicle in when parking overnight or for any extended period of time when it is allowed to coolThis was recommended so its initial motion would be going forward which is easier on the transmission and would prolong whatever life remainsAfter the vehicle was test driven and released at approximately 10:30am, it continued to operate properly until Saturday eveningAlthough a matter of hours between the two, it none the less operated properly with no signs of issue or malfunction which it is programmed to react immediately to eitherPrior to its initial malfunction prior to April 10th, the transmission behaved in a similar manner working properly with no indication/sign of impending failureAmong the capabilities of these particular transmission assemblies is its capacity to adapt itself as internal conditions of the transmission change AND additionally adapt to driving habits of the operatorIt is with knowledge of the adaptive technology employed by these units that allows them to perform properly until they don't affording their operators little to no advance warningWithout possession of a functioning mythical crystal ball, it is difficult at best to predict the when, where or why of a transmissions failure with any real accuracyYes, all transmissions regardless of make, model and application have inherent issues and there is no "Best Transmission"There are transmissions with lower failure rates and transmissions with different inherent flaws but no transmission has been designed in the last few decades to be problem free and/or last foreverThese particular transmissions, both the 6Tand 6Thave a known high failure rate of the 3rd/5th/reverse wave plateWhen this assembly experiences a cracked or fractured wave plate, it immediately results in the loss of 3rd, 5th and reverse gearsAs it is typically in motion when such occurs, there is generally a notable amount of debris immediately present in its fluidHaving drained and sampled in excess of quarts of the transmissions original fluid, there was no evidence to support any removal, dismantling or inspection of the unit beyond the work doneThe notion of inspecting the entire transmission requires removal of the assemblyThe time to "check" the entire assembly involves dismantling it to inspect all of its internal componentsReassembling the transmission would have required more time/labor and additionally require many external gaskets and seals be replaced which can only be purchased via a "kit"Please note attachment indicating the expense the customer would have had to bear had such an election been made WITHOUT any substantiation as to the necessity of itDespite the statements made by mechanics and another transmission facility as relayed in this complaint, it is NOT the manner in which Portland Transmission does business now, in the past or in the future to take advantage of any customer's lack of knowledge as the "practice" of extending ANY repair to include (and not necessarily be limited to) excess labor or parts without substantiation and/or the presence of clear evidence indicating such is necessary or properAs detailed in the invoice pertaining to the repair(s) made, the transmission performed properly prior to its release and immediately thereafter with no indication of any remaining issuesDid the transmission/vehicle then travel in excess of 40mph? Yes Were there any lights on indicative of malfunction codes present or pending? No Upon return of the vehicle Monday April 10th, the front cover of the transmission was removed and a sample of its fluid was takenThat sample contained an inordinate amount of debris indicating that something had either ruptured or was being ground upWith the exclusion of the mechanical valves housed in the lower valve body, there are no moving components in the portion of the transmission exposedThe debris originated from deeper into the assembly and was NOT present the week priorThe repairs made were in accordance with both symptom(s) and improper performance of the vehicle at its time of initial arrivalAny failure after the fact is neither directly nor indirectly related to the repairs madeWhatever component(s) no longer functioning properly, damaged or non-serviceable warranting a more involved procedure is neither related to nor in the immediate vicinity of those components replaced which in fact corrected the first and partial, somewhat limited issue(s) of the transmissionPortland Transmission did NOT knowingly or willfully place your daughter's safety or the safety of others at riskThe trust placed in Portland Transmission was in fact properly placed and the service(s) rendered were in accordance with due diligence and honestyIn good faith, as any customer of Portland Transmission is treated and respected properly and fairly, offer was made to allow credit of the labor from the original invoice toward the more extensive repair now necessaryIf the 2nd failure of the transmission was in any way relative to either the malfunction of parts replaced or the service rendered, our position or resolution would closer resemble that of the customers