Not sure that I want to continue to be involved in this, but here goes. Gasifier, there are a number of well meaning people on here that are trying to help you out. You would likely do well to listen to them. Dave is a respected member of this forum and a customer advocate. I can personally attest to the assistance that he gave to me when I was going through issues with my 3550.
It seems like you continue to harp on lost time. It's the first thing you said you mentioned when talking to the rep - even though lost time is not covered by warranty. This gives me the impression that this was a hostile interaction at the beginning, and it's possible that your approach and expectations have made both the dealer and the rep less likely to want to work with you. If instead you worried about getting the machine fixed, and concentrated on that - I think you'd be in a better spot. :2cents:
As far as the actual issue goes - are you saying that the use of the transmission does not cause a loss of power when the check engine light is illuminated? Frankly, I don't believe that. You continually harp on the loss of hydraulic power which I think is misleading. I think that the use of hydraulics are one mechanism by which the engine can be loaded, but the transmission is another method. If I'm wrong, and you can load the transmission and maintain full engine power, then please correct me. If not - then the issue is quite likely a drop in rail pressure for one reason or another. It's a bit concerning to me that they are throwing parts at it - instead of a proper diagnosis. Fuel rail issues and the methods of diagnosis have been well understood by diesel truck enthusiasts for a long time - there's a lot of information out there.
Since the issue comes up only after working for a bit, that leads me to believe that it resets itself. Can it be reset to full power by simply shutting the tractor off and restarting? If not, what has been the required fix? Do you have to let it cool off? Does it require a trip to the dealer?
JB.
First. Thank you for your participation sir. I appreciate it. I have not doubted anyone’s help here. Or been disrespectful or not paid attention. I would like to let you know that I have stood next to the mechanic, while he was trying to fix this issue the second time at my barn, who’s name is Dave, and read verbatim from my phone what you have told me might be the problem. I have also read to him what others have said about it possibly being a poor fuel issue or vacuum issue. He told me he would check the fuel filter, check the water separator, put a new fuel cap on it because the one on it appeared to still be collapsing on the under side. Even though we had made sure, through your guidance, when the tractor came in, that it was a new cap. I remember the checklist you gave me. And I shared it with him through e-mail. And he responded and I shared that with you. He also has tried re-flashing the computer, several times. By himself with what he said, and said he verified, was the latest firmware or whatever. Then the representative showed up and said he did that and fixed my tractor. Said the mechanic didn’t have the latest version and he did and had done his job and fixed my tractor. Then it failed.
Second. I do continue to talk about lost time. I know it’s not covered by the warranty. But wouldn’t you be frustrated if you had things you wanted to get done and couldn’t? With a brand new machine. And you kept calling the dealer and they kept trying to fix it and couldn’t. Wouldn’t you if you had this many problems with a new tractor? The beginning of the conversation was not hostile. But they could certainly see I was frustrated. I did not raise my voice and I kept my cool. And how do I worry any more about getting the machine fixed? And how would that put me in a better spot? That might imply that they aren’t working to hard at figuring the problem out because they didn’t like my attitude? I’m beyond weather of not I care if they liked my attitude or not. I am a trained professional who is not going to blow up and lose his cool in a dealership. I even thanked the guy for coming, trying to fix my tractor, and for telling me he would go back to Mahindra Corporate and fight for me. After I worked the tractor and it failed in front of him.
Third. No. I am not saying the use of the transmission is not causing the problem. Never said that. When the problem is occurring if you step on either of the hydro pedals the RPMs drop just like when you try to use the loader or backhoe. I thought I made that clear several times in other post. If I didn’t, my bad. I don’t know where you got that from.
Fourth. Once it has started, and the check engine light is on, I don’t remember it stopping just by turning the key off.
If starting from fresh, I had seen it work in the past and run for a longer period of time before the problem started. I remember a while back that there were times I worked the entire morning, then shut it off, and when I started it after lunch I drove all the way out to the back of the property and started working it only to have it go into this loss of power issue. Then had to hobble it back to the barn by very lightly getting in the forward hydro pedal. But, after this problem started it got worse. And now happens whenever you start working it. It seems to take between 5-15 minutes I guess and it just starts happening.
I had told mechanic about it when they took it to fix the transmission. And he said he had reflashed it and could not get it to do it again. That was first time they tried to fix it. The second time he came to my place and had told me on the phone he was checking to be sure he had the latest one. He then came here, said he did, and reflashed it with his laptop. I then ran it and it failed again. Then he took it to the shop. Then representative came and the were both there when I got there. And they said he did not have the latest one, the rep did, and he reflashed it and fixed it. And they couldn’t get it to replicate problem. Then I took it out in parking lot and it failed in about 7-8 minutes. I didn’t actually time it. That was the third time.
My apologies that this thread is frustrating to some of you folks. Imagine how I feel after spending $45,000 on a tractor, loader, backhoe, and implements and can’t use it.
I didn’t think that the responsibility was on me to get documentation, I thought they should be responsible enough to do that after I gave them my money.
If I have to continue with a lawyer, which I don’t really want to do, I’m not looking for any money. Not even for all the headaches, stress, and lost time. That’s not what I’m after. I just want my money back for a product that Mahindra made, the dealer sold me, and has had multiple issue that includes this one which prevents me from doing anything with the equipment I paid for.
The lawyers office was contacted late afternoon today. I am awaiting their return call in the morning.
I don’t know what else to do.
I’ve asked the dealer to give me my money back. That was about three weeks ago now. And now they have had the area rep here to fix it. That didn’t work. And they have had it for two weeks now.
