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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| AirMatic Kaput
Well, the AirMatic went south this week. It goes in to the dealer tomorrow. My guess is that it's the compressor. It's running; but it sounds like it's just free wheeling. |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: AirMatic Kaput
After three days at the dealer, I heard back today from the SA. They replaced the compressor for the AirMatic. That's the good news.
The bad news is that, when I was dropping it off, I mentioned a very occasional hard downshift in the transmission for 2->1 and occasionally 3->2. I told them it was not a problem, but wondered if there have been any software upgrades.
Today I find out that they decided to replace what used to be called the "kick down cable". To do this they had to completely disassemble the drivetrain and remove the transmission. They are currently in the process of putting it all back together for me to pick up later today.
I sure as h4ll hope that the technician knows what he is doing. If they had asked (and they didn't!), I never would have OK'd this kind of major surgery. It's almost like doing a complete knee replacement operation to help a slightly sprained knee. The shifting problem was not really that bad; and I had told them that when I asked about the software upgrades.
I guess we'll see what we shall see later today. In the mean time, I'm very concerned that some ham handed wrench jockey won't get all the parts back properly. |
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lkchris
Veteran
Date registered: Nov 2006
Location: Albuquerque
Vehicle(s): '07 GL320CDI, '06 E320CDI
Posts: 144
| RE: AirMatic Kaput
There are lots of TSBs on hard downshift and sometimes a whole new transmission is required. |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: AirMatic Kaput
lkchris - 8/24/2007 2:19 PM
There are lots of TSBs on hard downshift and sometimes a whole new transmission is required.
The point is that the hard downshifts were not all that frequent or hard. I had only asked about a software upgrade.
I'll find out tomorrow when I pick it up. The SA says they did flash a newer software, but the STAR diagnosis system still said it need the clutch plate. He claims it drives much better than when I brought it in. We'll see. |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: AirMatic Kaput
DUTCH - 8/24/2007 7:44 PM
lkchris - 8/24/2007 2:19 PM
There are lots of TSBs on hard downshift and sometimes a whole new transmission is required.
The point is that the hard downshifts were not all that frequent or hard. I had only asked about a software upgrade.
I'll find out tomorrow when I pick it up. The SA says they did flash a newer software, but the STAR diagnosis system still said it need the clutch plate. He claims it drives much better than when I brought it in. We'll see.
It's most certainly not better; and is, in fact, much worse. What used to be a silky smooth transmission up and down the gears is now hardshiifting between all gears in both directions.
The SA says to bring it back, which is easy for him to say. It's a 1 hr drive in each direction; and I already feel like a gypsy having lived out of their loaner car for a week. Bah! |
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Ed Mclass
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Vehicle(s): 1958 180a, 2010 GLK, 2000 G 500, 2005 SLK 350
Posts: 1215
| Re: AirMatic Kaput
How many miles on the truck now? |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| Re: AirMatic Kaput
Ed Mclass - 8/29/2007 6:48 AM
How many miles on the truck now?
19,500 |
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MarcO
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Irvington, NY
Vehicle(s): G 500 SWB, Volvo XC90 V8
Posts: 835
| Re: AirMatic Kaput
Dutch -
This is very disheartening. This is the kind of crap that happened with my now long gone G. I have made one major change in the way I buy my vehicles. I do not go in for warranty dealer service - EVER! Crazy but I do not get overzealous ham fisted money hungry service idiots to tell me to bring it back in. If you think about it the dealers have a blank check with the warranty work. It does not matter if they fix it. They keep charging MBUSA. I hope to god that they fix your tranny and all is good. Then find a really good independent and make sure they understand the rules of engagement - yours.
MarcO |
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lkchris
Veteran
Date registered: Nov 2006
Location: Albuquerque
Vehicle(s): '07 GL320CDI, '06 E320CDI
Posts: 144
| RE: AirMatic Kaput
Baloney. MB dealers get lots of advice on things MBUSA isn't going to pay for. MBUSA has regional service reps as well. Belief in conspiracy theory is so boring. |
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MarcO
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Irvington, NY
Vehicle(s): G 500 SWB, Volvo XC90 V8
Posts: 835
| Re: AirMatic Kaput
Strongly disagree. Not a theory. Just a fact. Dealers on the east coast have been caught billing MB for work not done. We are asked to return two and three times for the same repair. Hope I have not bored you.
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njpaguy
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| No conspiracy - fact.
I had a door latch go bad on my 04. The truck had to go back 5 times because after the first repair, every other mechanical item in the door suddenly didn't work after subsequent repair visits. Window stopped working. Power seat stopped working. Door speaker stopped working. True, there may have been a bit of ineptness on the part of the technician, but a M-B salesperson I know admitted the dealers are trying to increase profits in service by working the warranty system. While it may cost us zero for the repairs, the time factor inconvenience and deceipt will end up hurting M-B in the long run.  |
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Marsden
Classic MB
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Capital City USA
Vehicle(s): Mercedes-Benz
| RE: No conspiracy - fact.
The quality issues over the last several years have resulted in a tremendous financial windfall for MB dealerships. As if they needed it! The losers? DCAG, stockholders, MB reputation, and yes, MB owners. |
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cmitch
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Ala-Tenn
Vehicle(s): 2002 ML320, 2005 S430 4Matic, 2010 F150 Super Crew
Posts: 3412
| RE: No conspiracy - fact.
Marsden - 9/14/2007 3:30 PM The quality issues over the last several years have resulted in a tremendous financial windfall for MB dealerships. As if they needed it! The losers? DCAG, stockholders, MB reputation, and yes, MB owners. Those who speak well of stealer service probably have had nothing but good experiences- so far. But when they get burnt, will they have the testicles to complain about it here? If someone uses the dealer enough, they WILL get it threw to them. I had an EGR valve replaced. Brought the truck home and got a CEL. Read the codes and it said EVAP leak. Checked the gas cap, it was tight. I opened the hood (bonnet for ye brits) and found the plastic clean out cap loose on the fuel rail. It wasn't like that before because I always check it for tightness every time I change oil and I had just changed oil the week before. I tightened it and the CEL went off the next day. There is no doubt the grungy barstards loosened it to insure a trip back to them and at least roll my socks down for the $105.00 minimum diagnostic charge. |
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Ed Mclass
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Vehicle(s): 1958 180a, 2010 GLK, 2000 G 500, 2005 SLK 350
Posts: 1215
| Re: AirMatic Kaput
It is my good luck to have a mechanic who has done all my work for the past 20 years. Everything from my 1958 180a to my 2000 G 500. I have sent him work and I trust him to do what is right. He is not cheap, but he is fair and honest. That is rare in the repair business! |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| Re: AirMatic Kaput
Ed Mclass - 10/6/2007 10:41 AM
It is my good luck to have a mechanic who has done all my work for the past 20 years. Everything from my 1958 180a to my 2000 G 500. I have sent him work and I trust him to do what is right. He is not cheap, but he is fair and honest. That is rare in the repair business!
I actually have two like that - a guy I've used for over 30 years and myself. The problem is that with a new one, any warranty work needs to be done by a dealer. My big mistake was using the wrong one. |
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Ed Mclass
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Vehicle(s): 1958 180a, 2010 GLK, 2000 G 500, 2005 SLK 350
Posts: 1215
| Re: AirMatic Kaput
Yes, that's true! I haven't owned a new one in 7 years. |
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Marsden
Classic MB
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Capital City USA
Vehicle(s): Mercedes-Benz
| RE: AirMatic Kaput
Jeez guys! I'm gonna look for a new house, midway between Nashville and Atlanta! |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: AirMatic Kaput
Marsden - 10/6/2007 8:19 PM
Jeez guys! I'm gonna look for a new house, midway between Nashville and Atlanta!
That would be Chattanooga. Lots of pretty spots around there.  |
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