Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) How does the Dealer handle TSB's

[Renoram]

I am new to TDR & have posted a few inquiries already & had enormous replies that have already paid for joining. Everybody wants to help. Here's another one relating to TSB's.



I was looking at the engine TSB's for my truck & saw 3 that directly affect my truck.



1- Exhaust bolt retainers- I happend to be looking at my engine one day & noticed the #6 upper bolt was hanging on by 3-4 threads. The lower bolt & sleeve were gone. There were a couple of others loose. The dealer had change a cracked exhaust manifold several months ago but did not do or mention this TSB. The TSB says they have come out with retainers to prevent this.



2- My transmission was hunting 100-200 rpm increase in 4th gear- there was a rewire for that.



3- My cruise control runs away by as much as 10 mph or more- there was a reprograming for that.



If I take my truck in for that do they charge me for fixing those items or are the TSB's under warranty?



Thanks again in advanc for all your help

 

[DPelletier]

On the bottom of most of the TSB's, it will say: " Reimbursable under the terms of the warranty". Which basically means yes. But, you don't have any bumper to bumper warranty left on your 1999, do you?



Dave

 

[Renoram]

I dont actually have the actual TSB's in hand. I was looking at the listings on this website. Do I just ask the dealer for a copy? Are they willing to give that out readily?



Yes, I am out of bumper to bumper warranty- except for engine 100k mile. I guess the 2 out of 3 problems I mentioned above are on my own as they are not engine categorized?

 

[Billy Diesel]

Print the TSB's out and hand them to the dealer. That's what I had to do to get the cold idle turned on. It is very easy for the dealer to "play" dumb

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

The local dealer takes the vehicle VIN, keys it into the computer, which I assume is connected to some sort of dealership/manufacturer network, and any TSB's that apply to that VIN should be displayed - then it's up to the owner to fight with the dealership as to who pays for what...

 

[rblomquist]

The dealer I work with in Vegas has a very respectable diesel mechanic and he told me they only use TSBs to help them troubleshoot problems they can't diag easily. Also he explained to me very logically that you cannot make the conclusion that because there's a TSB that = a free (warranty) repair. It's very hit and miss especially when you're out of the basic warranty and or in a grey zone with a given problem.



Also, not always is the TSB the best possible solution, it's a solution but not neccessarily the best. I was inquiring about the TSB on exhaust retention straps and he said they've had much better luck torqueing them down with loctite (he even offered me some free loctite that they use on them).



The last thing he told me was that DC doesn't even want customers to have access to TSBs so depending on the relationship you have with your dealer they may frown/balk at you telling them how to do their job; not saying you don't have a right to be informed, just be smart about it.

 

[Huff N Puff]

TSBs Are engineers and technicians sharing infomation

On common fixes and problems. I think its unreasonable to expect a free fix after the warranty has run out.