In June, 2016, I noticed that the transmission overheat light was lit on my 2004 Toyota Highlander while I was stopped for gas. (I later realized that this can happen occasionally in hot weather and is not necessarily a sign of trans. trouble.) I made an appointment to take it to Karry Bros. Transmission to have it checked out. I chose Karry Bros. because I like to patronize local businesses whenever possible and they had been in business for 65 years.
I dropped the car off and waited for the results of the inspection. A few hours later, they called and gave me the bad news. "There's metal in the pan," the mechanic said in a grave tone. That's usually a sign that something in the trans. is grinding to pieces and the trans. is about to fail. When I asked for more information, he paused and said I should speak to the owner.
The older gentleman who identified himself as the owner told me a complete transmission re-build was needed, which would cost about $2000. I asked him if there were some way to just replace the defective/worn part but he replied, "That's not how it's done! The parts come in a kit and we replace everything." At the same time, he also strongly suggested I have the torque converter rebuilt at additional cost, adding, "With the mileage on your car, it's about due to fail and it's cheaper if we do it at the same time." I decided not to have the costly repair done, and would trade it in or sell it. He said they would replace the pan, which encloses the bottom of the trans., and I picked it up later.
The following afternoon about 430 pm, I noticed a large pool of transmission fluid about a foot across, beneath my car in the driveway. I called back and spoke to the owner again. He apologized and said the mechanic must not have replaced the pan properly. I told him I was on the way, and to please make sure someone was there to do it as it was leaking all over my driveway. He said they close at 5 pm but he would have someone available.
Driving as fast as I could through Lake County traffic, I arrived about 510 pm. The owner said everyone had gone for the day and I'd have to bring it back tomorrow. When I reminded him he was going to keep someone there to fix the problem, he snarled at me, "You talk more than you listen! I told you everyone is gone for the day! Bring it back tomorrow!"
I told him since I had already made the trip and it was their mistake, they could pick it up at my home, repair it and bring it back. He told me that "No one is available" but reluctantly agreed when I insisted. The following day, they picked up my vehicle, repaired it and returned it, as I had requested, leaving me to deal with the oily mess in my driveway.
That would be the end of the long story except that, the transmission that Karry Bros. owner insisted "needed repair immediately" and the torque converter that was "about to fail" are still going strong, 21 months and over 21,000 miles later. Draw your own conclusions. read more
