I have a 2002 with auto transmission and no upgrades other than gauges. I knew the transmission was the weak link, but I wasn't expecting trouble at 21K miles!
Short version:
Lost reverse gear, then on way to dealer the forward gears didn't seem right either (faint metal sounds coming from underneath). Won't know until tomorrow what's wrong.
Long version:
Of course it has to break during the middle of a camping trip. On Wed, no problem getting to El Capitan State Beach (So. Cal. ) and backing the fifth wheel into the site (transmission temps fine).
We headed home w/out the 7,000-lb 5er on Thu evening so the kids could go back to school, planning to return the next afternoon. The AT was a little slow to grip when backing out of the campsite (like it feels after sitting for a couple weeks), but the 60 mile drive home went without problem.
Backing out of the garage on Fri, it again seemed a little slow to grip. Unfortunately, after running just a few errands around town I went to back into a parking spot and had NO REVERSE. I called the dealer and they said to drive it in. I'm not sure that was the best idea because it wasn't behaving properly on the short drive there.
Being Fri afternoon, they said they couldn't look at it until Mon. Fine, keep it.
Not wanting to ruin the weekend, we headed back to El Cap in the wife's van and enjoyed the weather and beautiful ocean views.
Unfortunately, the 5er is still at El Cap. Instead of paying to tow it, I'd rather leave it on-site and pay the $21/day; however, the ranger doesn't seem too sympathetic ("there's a 7-day limit" even though the campground isn't full for the week or coming weekend). I'll sort this out once I hear from the dealer on how long to make the repair.
Now I'm back home and it's time to face reality. What might I expect to hear from the dealer tomorrow? Since it is a warranty repair, what should I be on the lookout for, especially where they may choose to cut corners?
Thanks,
Pat
Short version:
Lost reverse gear, then on way to dealer the forward gears didn't seem right either (faint metal sounds coming from underneath). Won't know until tomorrow what's wrong.
Long version:
Of course it has to break during the middle of a camping trip. On Wed, no problem getting to El Capitan State Beach (So. Cal. ) and backing the fifth wheel into the site (transmission temps fine).
We headed home w/out the 7,000-lb 5er on Thu evening so the kids could go back to school, planning to return the next afternoon. The AT was a little slow to grip when backing out of the campsite (like it feels after sitting for a couple weeks), but the 60 mile drive home went without problem.
Backing out of the garage on Fri, it again seemed a little slow to grip. Unfortunately, after running just a few errands around town I went to back into a parking spot and had NO REVERSE. I called the dealer and they said to drive it in. I'm not sure that was the best idea because it wasn't behaving properly on the short drive there.
Being Fri afternoon, they said they couldn't look at it until Mon. Fine, keep it.
Not wanting to ruin the weekend, we headed back to El Cap in the wife's van and enjoyed the weather and beautiful ocean views.
Unfortunately, the 5er is still at El Cap. Instead of paying to tow it, I'd rather leave it on-site and pay the $21/day; however, the ranger doesn't seem too sympathetic ("there's a 7-day limit" even though the campground isn't full for the week or coming weekend). I'll sort this out once I hear from the dealer on how long to make the repair.
Now I'm back home and it's time to face reality. What might I expect to hear from the dealer tomorrow? Since it is a warranty repair, what should I be on the lookout for, especially where they may choose to cut corners?
Thanks,
Pat