There is still one last part to replace and Renzzo had ordered the part on Wednesday after the initial test drive failure, some sort of a transmission solenoid ordered before a specialized scan of the computer codes confirmed that was what we needed to get the van running properly. It was shipped overnight from Lima and we stopped by to pick it up.
GANNET2 moves under her own power now but only in third gear (or reverse) so we drove slowly across town to see a man about a code scanner.
Renzo told me he likes working on transmissions because they are a mixture of electronics mechanics and hydraulics. Engines are boring by comparison he said. It’s not obvious until you have to tear them apart but modern automatic transmissions are controlled not by you the driver but by a computer. And when the computer detects a problem it shuts down to protect the transmission. We are stuck in “limp mode” which is third gear and which I drove too hard and caused the transmission to overheat. But the computer hasn’t detected the new transmission so this guy is going to spank it back into line by removing the computer codes that block proper functioning of the gearbox:
The code in the computer is permanent and requires a RAM dealer to clear it. My modest little scanner can read these codes but can’t clear the permanent ones of course. Nor could his, at first.
However he knew the trick and after taking down the passenger dashboard he found the secret box installed by RAM to store the permanent codes. Excuse the Rusty hairs, they get everywhere.
So he cleared the code -yay!- and discovered another problem. The little sensor was reporting a solenoid failure, a part not so far replaced.
Renzzo said “No problem” and after I paid $50 for the diagnosis we drove over to the delivery company to pick up the sensor Renzzo had already ordered. Brilliant.
Back at the shop we discovered one more problem after Fran went into the transmission oil pan to replace it. The parts warehouse in Lima confessed it had overnighted the wrong part. Argh! So the proper one is being overnighted again to Arequipa with arrival hopefully today.
Nothing is simple. Hopefully today the correct solenoid will be installed, the permanent code will be cleared and the transmission will be done.
Meanwhile they have somehow disconnected the second alternator so with all the driving we got no electricity into the house batteries. Grr. So after all week living in the mechanic’s shop I feel filthy as do my clothes. The toilet is close to full and the batteries are close to empty.
Layne is scheduled to arrive at 9am today after an overnight flight from hell. She has a room reserved at the hotel that has the camping where we park and a dental appointment in the afternoon. I guess I will stick with GANNET2 and make a triumphant return in the afternoon? Nothing is easy.
Above Rusty in the passenger position, below resting.
