New ATS Converter-Lasted 300 miles

[Dukenrock]

I just had a new ATS torque converter and high performance valve body installed on my '04 1/2 Dodge 3500 4x4. (15,000 miles) It worked fine for about 300 miles. Then ironically, my fuel pump started leaking so I took it to Dodge. (truck started running like it was on 3 cylinders) Dodge replaced a leaky fuel pump, but the truck was still running rough. Dodge had it for a week and determined it was a bad torque converter and valve body. Dodge was pretty friendly about it considering my truck is still under warranty. Now I have to take my truck back to the place the converter was installed. Not sure at this point if it's due to a poor installation or if it was a mechanical failure.

 

[EEngel]

Failure

Duke,



Keep us posted on how it turns out. I havn't heard many negatives on their products.

 

[Dukenrock]

I'm hoping this can get resolved easily with no finger pointing! ATS is already on the phone with the service dealer. I'm being told this is an unusual problem, but there is definitely a bad rumble that wasn't there before. I'll update as I hear things.

 

[Dukenrock]

Let's see, Dodge spent a week diagnosing the problem only to find that it's an aftermarket TC/Valve body. I call ATS and they determine they need to send a new one to be reinstalled. The TC is out of the truck at the Dodge dealership, taking up a bay in the service area, and ATS is contemplating whether or not they want to spend the $300. 00 to overnight the parts.

I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

[Dukenrock]

ATS is overnighting the TC. Thanks!

 

[robertyoke]

it just don't sound right, running rough=bad tc and vb. how did they find you had aftermarket tc/vb? sounds like they want an escape goat. my dealer does not want anything to do with my trucks when they find aftermarket/hot rod parts.

 

[dozzer]

is it possible the dealer cant figure it out and that was the easiest thing to blame being it is not OEM?

 

[Dukenrock]

I ended up with egg on my face! Whe the problem started I took it back to the ATS dealer and told him to make sure it wasn't the TC/Valve body. (1 hour drive each way) He had the truck two days and said it wasn't the TC/Valve body. I took it to Dodge. Didn't tell them I did the aftermarket upgrade because I was sure it wasn't causing the problem based on the "experienced" ATS dealer. Dodge was tearing into my entire truck from the engine back trying to determine the rough idle, etc. They had the truck a full week! They finally took out the TC and found the problem. My Dodge service rep was real polite about it when he called me and explained the problem. he even asked if ATS would ship him a new TC so they could reinstall it. (Since it was torn apart anyways) They'll have the new TC tomorrow AM and I should have my truck back by noon. I'm gonna be embarrassed to pick it up, but I figure maybe if I buy them all lunch it'll help a little. It upsets me that the installing dealer wasn't more thorough. This is the kind of stuff that gives the dealership's a leg to stand on with their feelings towards aftermarket parts. As I mentioned earlier, I'm embarrased about the situation.

 

[tkerrigan]

Well, what was wrong with it?

 

[Dukenrock]

Bad ATS torque converter. Put 300 miles on it and it took a nose dive!

 

[RFergy]

Dukenrock



The thing that worries me is that your ATS installer would have made the repair free under the ATS warranty. But I cant imagine the dealer doing this one on the house. If they do then you have one fantastic service manager there. Or is ATS going to pay the dealer? good luck keep us posted

 

[sick_ram]

You started it now

 

[Dukenrock]

I took it back to the installing dealer to make sure it wasn't the new TC e installed. He told me it wasn't the TC. (I can't verify he even looked at it at this point) As it stands now, I have an awesome service department. I'll let you know when I pick it up tomorrow. If I get a bill, I'll gladly pay it and forward it to the dealer that installed my ATS converter. I may have to hold on to the core TC until I make sure evrything is squared up.

 

[patcarman]

hello everyone, im getting ready to do a tq converter and vb change. well im kinda surprised,iv always heard alot of good things about ats and it seams like lately i have heard nothing but bad things about them,dont get me wrong i am not bashing or saying bad things, but when someone is continplateing on spending 2000 dollares he wants to get good stuff and service. i beleive i will be going with suncoast or dtt,thanks for letting me vent.









2001,3500 fipk k&n,va box,blue chip abp stacked,full pillar and gauges,mag hi tech pan. after my transmission mods are done next are twins and injecters.

 

[ThomasLawrence]

i beleive i will be going with suncoast or dtt,thanks for letting me vent.

Why? Because one guy had a bad converter that ATS immediately sent out a replacement for? Just because the installer in this case appears to have been incompetent doesn't reflect badly on the manufacturer.



I put a Stage 5 in my truck close to a year ago, and couldn't be happier with it. Of course, the installer I use is a close relative... he's my mother's only son



-Tom

 

[catoiler]

Put a DTT converter next to a ATS or Suncoast and look at the way they are made. There is a reason 2 of them are not using the stock converter and reworking it. I will leave it at that!

 

[Graphic man]

Let us know if the T/C or V/B fixed the problem and what was wrong with it,

keep in mind no one builds a perfect part!!!

 

[Dukenrock]

Service guy from Dodge called me and said he'll call me when the TC arrives. He also said he was going to have to charge me some labor for all of this... ... $117. 00! I told himm no problem and thanked him for all his help! Turns out the ATS damaged the pump in the trans, which they will cover under warranty. He said he really didn't have to cover it but did. We'll see if the TC arrives today as promised.

 

[GWoody]

Put a DTT converter next to a ATS or Suncoast and look at the way they are made. There is a reason 2 of them are not using the stock converter and reworking it. I will leave it at that!

You've perked my curiosity, which one reworks the stock converter????

 

[Dukenrock]

Apparently the ATS TC went bad and took the factory pump with it. ATS is overnighting the TC and Dodge is going to reinstall it with their new pump.