Garage 5SIX3

Here’s another great example of why factory electronics are simply better and should really be the only consideration when performing extensive repairs to sensitive equipment.

The transmission in this truck had been giving this customer issues for an extended period of time before the computer was finally able to set DTC’s that we could work with. We had a pretty good idea as to what was happening due to the customers feedback but could never really prove it.

During disassembly, there were some obvious indications that this particular repair may have been done before. Turns out, after getting it fully apart, BAM! Found the main electrical control for the entire transmission had been previously replaced with an aftermarket component.

These have been proven to be problematic in years past but there are still shops out there installing these and as sensitive as some transmissions are, we really fail to see a reason why. The cost is not much different and I’d rather spend a bit more to put a quality part in, rather than risk an entire transmission. That’s what we did here and that is what we do here at Garage 5SIX3.

2017 Volkswagen Passat came in with several warning messages on the dash. Airbag light, check engine, abs, traction control, adaptive cruise inoperative, no horn or steering wheel switches either. Diagnosed as a failed airbag clockspring due to several open circuits between the steering column and the steering wheel. We were able to install a factory VW part AND program it to the vin in house which allowed us to repair this vehicle correctly the first time. After some other calibrations we were able to restore all vehicle functions.

It’s been a while since we’ve had a real head scratcher. 05 F150 came in with a lean code, an O2 heater code and rough running condition. The customer already replaced the oxygen sensor on his own and had no change.

After watching several streams of data and performing several tests and checks on the engine, the exhaust system, the intake system, the fuel system and testing fuel quality, we found that there were no mechanical issues with the engine causing only one bank to be running lean. At that point we ignored the lean code and focused on the O2 heater code thinking that if we found out that issue, maybe it would lead us to finding our lean condition.

While performing ohm tests on all wires going to our oxygen sensor we noticed one reading seemed off compared to the others. Continued testing that wire and found it could carry only 3.5v instead of 12v. I gave this wire a tug at the connector and it pulled right apart. FOUND IT! Oddly enough, there was no damage to this wire that I noticed. Also we could not believe that the computer was flagging a lean code for an electrical issue, especially on the heater side of the oxygen sensor.

Even though we’ve been doing the job for years, we still learn new things almost everyday! ✅

Out of all of the timing chain jobs I’ve done, I have never seen a chain so far stretched that the tensioner is out of teeth and cannot extend any further. Glad we were able to save this engine before the inevitable happened.

2016 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0t. 86k miles.

Had this truck come through saying the transmission fluid was approaching the 300* mark on the dash. After realizing the transmission was no longer savable we went in and tried to figure out why it was getting so hot. Come to find out, the transmission cooler, that is internal to the radiator, was plugged up solid causing this transmission to overheat. We suspect that it was from a failing torque converter shedding debris into the cooling circuits.

We installed a remanufactured transmission which comes with a 3yr/100k mile warranty, flushed the cooler lines out, installed a new radiator and upgraded the tiny transmission cooler to this MONSTER PPE external transmission oil cooler.

With this truck weighing close to 12k pounds, our transmission temps are now at a comfortable 135-140. Plenty of room left for hotter days while towing equipment which should help extend the life of this fresh transmission.