AAMCO Misdiagnosis of transmission error codes due to lack of software and training on equipment, for 2008 Dodge Avenger. Inglewood, California

We took our 2008 Dodge Avenger to AAMCO to be repaired because it was stuck in a high gear and not switching gears.  The technician told us the error code said it was a shift kit error, and a Solenoid error. 

The technician assured me the car would be ready later that day within 2 hours, it was then 12pm pst.  We returned to pick the car up at 4 and the business was closed.

We kept the rental car that we had. 

The next day was a holiday, Christmas, so we returned on Saturday.  We were told the car wasn't ready, the part was not there yet.

We were told to return on Sunday to pick up the car.  We returned Sunday at 11 A.M. and the business was closed.

We called on Monday and was told the part was still not there yet, but to call back that evening to see what time we could pick up the car.

We called and were told that a "Dodge specialist" was called in and working on the issue.  We were instructed to call back Tuesday morning to check on the status of the car.

Tuesday morning we were told the part was installed but that there was still an error message, saying the part was not there.  We were told someone would call us back before the end of the day, no one did.

On Wednesday we called and were told, "We don't know what is wrong with the car.  We installed the part but the computer doesn't see it.  It runs fine for a moment, then it sticks again until we delete the code.

Once we drive it again it sticks again. This was the same problem we had when we took the car in.

 
We went back and forth for almost a week(December 24, 2009 to December 31, 2009), with no return calls for status.  We went to the shop only to be told the part wasn't there yet or car wasn't ready.

On arriving at the shop on 12/31 we were told by the owner that more work was performed on the car and that the amount we'd paid, which was the total cost of repairs in cash, $600.00, would not be enough.  There were new costs.

In all we were asked for $2,100.00 more to replace the transmission, because the computer did not see the new part and flooded with too much pressure and now the transmission had to be replaced. 

We told the owner, "No one contacted us to approve more work being done", we also refused to pay the additional costs. 

The owner refused to give us a receipt and the police was called(the owner became hostile and brandished a fire arm after shouting to leave his office, when I refused to leave until the police were called) to force the owner to give us a receipt with a zero balance, because we did not approve additional work being done.

The car was still not operating and we had to have it towed to our home, until the dealership can repair it on January 6, 2010.

We would like other consumers to be made aware of the business practices of this establishment so that they are not victims.