Thanks Billy, I'm glad I found it, too. Let's just say that over the
past 4-5 days (i.e., since my wife and I started getting deadly serious
about potentially buying this van), I've been trolling the internet
pret-ty intensely!
We got a file folder with chronologically ordered, apparently totally
complete, service and maintenance records (and in fact I was able to
look those over prior to buying the vehicle, which was good--and more on
that below...). According to the record for its visit to have a new
transmission installed, the van abruptly "would not go into reverse".
Yikes. So I dunno, I think maybe in this case, it really did need a new
one...anyhow, it sure got one. I'll certainly log away your note below
about the "reset trick", though. Interestingly, the dealer (who
specializes in near-showroom-perfect used high-end Audis and Porsches,
and didn't know much about the Eurovan at all, in general or in
particular with this unique vehicle), and I, missed this humongous
service receipt (it shows up in the file as like a $48 bill, but the
real big ticket on the bill was "WARRANTY", which we both missed!)
initially, and so I got them to put the van on the rack and drain out
the ATF, so we could all "witness" the condition of the fluid, see if
there were a lot of nasty big chunks of steel on the pan magnet, etc.
Well, as soon as the VIRTUALLY CLEAR ATF started draining out, we all
started scratching our heads and wondering how it could possibly be
<that> near-new looking! That's when I pulled out the file folder of
service bills they'd loaned me overnight, and we found that the
transmission had 10,000 miles on it! They were a bit miffed (bye-bye
$100+ of perfectly good synthetic ATF!), but hey, it wasn't my fault,
either! At least I know without a doubt that the trannie in this thing
is..."mint", which is as good a feeling as it gets in that department.
The one other "achilles heel component" I've read about in my Eurovan
web wanderings, is the air conditioner compressor. Have you or others
encountered this as an issue?
Thanks again for the welcome, I'm sure I'll have a lotta more questions.
Charley
--by the way, I traded in a pretty beloved 2002 Audi TT with 42K miles
on it, for this van. So, you know you definitely have a new "true
believer" on your hands here! : )
________________________________
From: ev_update@... [mailto:ev_update@...] On
Behalf Of FreedaPeeple
Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 12:10 AM
To: ev_update@...
Subject: [ev_update] Re: Newbie must express himself...!
Charles,
Congrats & WELCOME TO EVC PARADISE! :) But I must warn you, this
place can become and ADDICTION real fast, so be prepared!
Actually, you are one of the lucky ones to find this site. Frankly,
as an EVC & EVWK owner, I would be "lost" without it. Here, you will
find pretty much everything you'll need to know about the care &
maintenance of your EVC. Plus you're sure to make a few great friends
that are always willing to help!
For starters...there is a good chance the tranny in your EVC just
needed to hae the "magic tranny reset trick" applied. (see files
section) Your EVC has an "adaptive" tranny, meaning it adapts to your
driving habits, and every once in awhile you'll find it will not
shift past 2nd gear, until "reset" the tranny. Most tranny shops DO
NOT know about the reset "trick" and have taken some unsuspecting EV
owners for a REAL EXPENSIVE, yet unnecessary "ride!"
Best of luck with your "new" EVC. You've got LOTS to learn. I've been
here a few years & still learning!
Best, Billy"Seagull"
--- In ev_update@... <mailto:ev_update%40yahoogroups.com> ,
"Charley Hale" <charley.hale@...>
wrote:
Ok, thanks for existing and I'm glad I found you here; just joined.
I bought one of these crazy things yesterday in Boulder, CO; 2001
Eurovan Camper with 51k miles and super fine shape (as well it
should
be, it was pretty expensive) (but I'm NOT remorseful--we're really
looking forward to driving and enjoying this van). A few fairly
innocuous dings on the outside, and inside nothing much more than
one
of the two large black handles in the pop-top ceiling having been
yanked on too hard, it would appear (I have the handle and will be
trying to re-install it better and for good). Its auto
transmission
completely failed in 2004 under warranty and so it now has about
10k
miles on the new one; I <guess> that's a good thing...! Poring
over
the actual machine, and all the extensive documentation that came
with
it. I'm happy to be here!
Charley Hale
Lafayette, CO
