Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) BILL KONDOLAY - Gentleman Extraordinaire

[John - K5AWO]

Sunday last, PJ's transmission started shifting funny.



He pulled a P1740 code plus a couple I have since forgotten. Our research had us seeing several thousand dollars going out the window before it is fixed.



I asked PJ to call Bill Kondolay of DTT (Diesel Transmission Technology). Here is what PJ told me about the conversation.



"Bill was busy building a transmission when PJ called. His secretary (didn't catch the name, sorry) relayed to PJ to call back in a couple of hours and talk to Bill directly.



Well, they must have used caller ID because Bill Kondolay calls PJ before the time stated had expired.



After a short discussion of the symptoms, Bill tells PJ that most likely the transmission is okay, it just has a couple of bad parts in it. (Middle solenoid & speed sensor)



During this discussion, PJ can't get over how this gentleman is offering, free of charge, his expertise on how to fix it. No inference that PJ needs to buy parts from DTT. Just what is wrong, how to fix it, and wait for the secretary.



Short pause on phone..... secretary comes on line and asks if PJ has paper and pen handy? Yes, and then she gives him a list of Mopar part numbers and wishes him a nice day".



That phone conversation has clinched in PJ's mind and also for me who our rebuild source is going to be when our stock trannys go to meet their maker.



Bill's attitude just completely took PJ aback. He was impressed beyond belief.



Bill, take a bow, you have earned our respect and future business.



PJ Craig - the youngster

John Craig - the old codger

 

[Bob Wagner]

That's Bill way

 

[c-hawk]

That's Bill way

Bob is right. I've called with some stupid questions before. And Bill has always been a great help. Not to mention my transmission is the best thing out there. I'm happy as can be with every part of my DTT experience. Oh, and i have the best installer too. Thanks again John.

 

[OPoole]

Bill could build a trans in his sleep and i thank him for taking the time to teach me! THANK YOU BILL KONDOLAY

 

[GFrance]

And when you spend a couple of days in his shop with him, his crew & family you'll understand why bill doesn't have to spend big $$$ on advertiseing. Bill's satisfied customers are the best advertiseing $$$ can buy.



Just another happy customer Glenn

 

[PHX ATC]

When my wife's transmission explodes due to age (or me flogging it) I will call Bill.



Ya can't beat that for customer service!!

 

[John - K5AWO]

... . I asked PJ to call Bill Kondolay of DTT (Diesel Transmission Technology). ... . Bill Kondolay calls PJ..... After a short discussion of the symptoms, Bill tells PJ that most likely the transmission is okay, it just has a couple of bad parts in it. (Middle solenoid & speed sensor)

Bill is dead right. He said change the speed sensor first because it is external to the transmission.



PJ did, and it is fixed! And for all of $15. 00 !



5 stars for Bill Kondolay.

 

[RHARVEY]

Here is another story that also explains why DTT will be our transmission shop. . A few weeks ago my wife and kids were headed to the coast to pick up an item for our church kitchen. On the way she noticed that the transmission temp was higher than normal even at highway speeds so she called me and asked what should I do. I told her that I would call and ask DTT what they would suggest.

I called and talked to Bill and he said. . I need to talk to your wife! To make a long story shorter. . we needed to find a transmission shop ASAP! Bill said that he was 99. 999% sure that the problem was a small switch on the inside of the transmission that locks up the convertor had failed. He said that was the reason that it was getting hot.

I found a transmission shop in Paso Robles Ca. and made the arrangements to get the owner of the shop and Bill on the phone. . I got a call from the shop owner and he said that they had found the problem and it was exactly what Bill had said it was.

After a couple more calls between the shop and Bill. . a new switch and fluid change and $292. 00 the truck was done.

I cant thank Bill and his staff at DTT enough for taking the time to help us resolve this issue.

When we went in to pick up the truck the owner of the shop said that he had never seen the inside of a transmission like this one. . He said there were some heavy duty parts in there. . He was really impressed.

Thanks again Bill... ...



Rick

 

[mattymac]

I wish I could say the same about their "customer support" I tried to order a valve body TQ and update kit but the jerk I talked to said he couldnt help me out because he needed my line pressure readings first before he would do anything. I then said that the transmission is in perfect condition I just wanted to upgrade it a little bit. I told him I wanted the 89% TC, tow VB and update kit, then he said "go tell me what your readings are then call me back then well talk, but dont call around and get someone elses #'s I know what yours will be" I told him all my mods and I guess that he thought my trans should have been toast but I take good care of it and wouldnt want to half a$$ this thing together after spending about $2000 on it. Oh well Sorry to have to say this. On the other hand SC's customer service is excellent in my book. Im not bashing DTT's products just the no good SOB I talked to that day! dont know the guys name I talked to but Im sure it wasnt Bill though.

 

[Bob Wagner]

DTT has a set of procedures to follow, some like it some don't. Its just a procedure to follow to help eliminate problems.



I doubt Bill would even agree to the title of this thread,



Either you like Bill Kondolay or you dont. Point Blank,



But I am happy to have met the Kondolay family and friends, good people

 

[Snow man]

Bill had helped me out many a time before i was doing these trannys. Even gave me his home phone number so i could call him if i had a problem. Chris,thank you for the kind words.

 

[John - K5AWO]

Customer Support

I wish I could say the same about their "customer support" ... ... he couldnt help me out because he needed my line pressure readings first ... ... .

If you would just read back what you said, you would realize that they are trying to protect you from improper equipment.



As for Customer Support... . That has already occured and is the reason this thread got started in the first place.



In my opinion, DTT and their practices are providing customer support to both past, current , AND FUTURE customers. Almost unheard of in this modern day business climate.



I will say though, that just about every vendor that I have talked to that supports the Dodge Cummins has bent over backward to insure I was pleased. Until I joined TDR and started contacting the vendors referred to by members here, I have not had that degree of active participation to get and hold my business.

 

[Stefan Kondolay]

mattymac,



the jerk you spoke with was actually Bill. He is not in sales as proven by his conversation with you. If you were requesting to do something that varied from our general practice before he would even consider approving it , he would ask for data to make sure the transmission was in ok shape. It is not personal or that he did not believe you that your truck was in good shape, the data he asked for takes all the personality out of it for him its just diagnostics to him. Does not always make him popular but it is the way we do things. Bill is the only one that has the authority to do what you were describing. That is the way our shop works. Our stuff is a system and any deviation from it goes automatically to Bill. Like Bob said, either you like Bill or you do not but his proceedure remains the same.

 

[snowracer69]

the jerk you spoke with was actually Bill. He is not in sales as proven by his conversation with you.

HA! I knew it! That's why he's ALWAYS flinging me ***** when I call to ask about parts or how I might have possible screwed up my transmission this time! I didn't know someone could be as cynical as Bill, especially the first time he told me "ya know I'm hoping you destroyed your transmission, right?" "Uh, what? You hope it's trashed?!?!?!" "Well, ya! I need new toys, and somebody's got to pay for them, might as well be you!" HAHAHAHA If you can't take a joke like that, you're playing the wrong game! (BOMBing that is. )



Bill, Stefan, the whole DTT crew get an A+ from me. I know Stefan gets tired of my 20 question calls sometimes too... ... :-laf

 

[24V-DSL]

Shanti is in charge of Bill's med's. I always check first. :-laf