transmission problem after rear-end accident

[dalipardon]

My boyfriend & I were in a car accident last Thursday night involving his 2001 Red PT Cruiser Ltd Edition. We were rear-ended; the person that hit us was going 35 - 40 mph when we were almost at a complete stop getting ready to turn into our driveway.

We immediately drove it to an auto shop the next morning for repair. The car was driving fine. The bumper (standard grey) and the whole back hatch had to be replaced; even the chrysler latch was broken. After removing the bumper, etc. they discovered some underlying damage. It totaled over $3500.

So, my boyfriend got the call it was ready to pick up this afternoon. As soon as he starts driving it back to work the engine light goes on. Then the transmission won't go out of first gear. There was something else that went wrong that I've forgotten at the moment (I"m on pain killers & muscle relaxants because I sustained a neck injury so I'm kinda out of it!!!). Anyways, I will get the details on that when he gets home. So, now the car cannot even be driven to a repair shop!!!

The insurance company said they would cover the costs of repair if a repair shop can prove it was accident related. Anyone ever heard of such a problem after an accident?

I hate to think about this, but does anyone have an idea how much it costs to repair or replace the transmission?!?

Any advice would be much appreciated!

-dalipardon

[thegoldpt]

Depends on what transmission it is.. With a manual it probaby would be something as simple as the clutch not seperating fully. If it's an automatic it probably will be something a little more expensive.

[bobs turbo pt]

lets us know what type of transmission, also after the repair shop, has done all that work call them & ask them if the shop says sure it could happen tell the insurance company and have the car flat bedded back to the shop good luck keep us posted [8)]

[purple04]

can't think of a case where a manual would throw codes. Staying in first sounds like "limp home" mode for an A/T.
The body shop should have disconnected the battery before welding the understructure on. If so, there is a procedure for transmission relearn that should be performed. Try that first.

[dalipardon]

Thanks for the advice!

Yes, it is an automatic transmission. For now, the car is sitting safe in the garage at my boyfriend's work until the chrysler authorized auto shop can take it next week. What a terrible week this has been!!!

What is the 'limp home' mode? I gotta know! Does it have something to do with a computer chip or wiring? My first thought when this happened was that the auto body shop reconnected wires wrong...

Should we chance driving it to the auto shop in this state, or do you think it would damage the tranny or something else? I don't want anything else bad to happen! :-(

-dalipardon

[Hooligan]

I would wait for the dealer to ask them IF it can be driven to their facility. Maybe get it in writing so if something should happen it would be their responsibility. [^]

[fritz_t_coyote]

quote:Originally posted by dalipardon



What is the 'limp home' mode?

Limp Home Mode is built into the Engine Control Computer: In the event of a computer failure it reverts to basic settings that provide enough power for the car to keep moving, and the transmission reverts to 'brain-dead-basic'. Performance and gas mileage suffer, but at least you don't get stranded on the highway.
(Compare this to loading windows 'safe mode' after your PC failed to boot.)

Transmission problem is either: Impact, transmitted thru the unibody structure damaged the transmission (unlikely) or mis-aligned the shift linkage;

Or more likely: Welding without disconnecting the computer sent an electrical pulse that messed up the stored programs and settings.
Maybe the dealer can just re-flash the computer (reload the standard software and settings, sort of like re-installing windows from the CDs)
Or worse: the computer is physically fried, and needs to be replaced.
(which costs about what a rebuilt transmission costs)

Either way: The Body Shop should have noticed this in a test drive before giving you the car.
(Did the person who hit you direct you to this body shop? Or did some insurance company?)

[quicksilverdon]

Yes, I think it's related.
Few years back I had bought a decent used car for my daughter. I was at a stop sign, and and was rear-ended. The day after I got the car back from body shop, it wouldn't go into reverse (auto). I argued with insurance company that car had been fine - they paid for half the transmission.

[dalipardon]

The body shop was recommended by our insurance company...

We decided to have it towed rather than risk any damage. We told the repair shop that it immediately went into limp mode after being repaired at an auto body shop. They think it has something to do with the wiring. Hopefully, an easy fix.

I did some research on 'limp mode' and figured out how to get the error code; I passed that info on to my boyfriend and he was able to get a code from it this morning. It flashed P1698 on the dash, which according to http://www.ptcruizer.com/computer-codes.html means: "There are no messages received from the electronic transmission control module or the Aisin transmission controller."

Does anyone know what this means?

[fritz_t_coyote]

quote:Originally posted by dalipardon

The body shop was recommended by our insurance company...

"There are no messages received from the electronic transmission control module or the Aisin transmission controller."

Sounds like maybe a cable got unplugged.