Here is an update regarding my daughter's 300TE and the stalling problem--things are not good
After the repairs of 01.07.05, my daughter's 300TE has continued to stall. So this past Friday I brought the car back to the mechanic. I also brought with me the thread that Garth had going regarding the stalling problem in his 300E. Based upon the information on the thead, the mechanic agreed to look into the potentiometer.
When I called him, he said he had replaced the potentiometer (he explained to me how the potentiometer is supposed to work and how it affects the engine's idle as the car comes to a stop). He also adjusted the ilde speed (up). He told me that he test drove the car and the car was working fine.
My daughter and I went to pick up the car. On the freeway, no more than 5 miles away from the mechanic the car stalled as my daughter was slowing down to stop (I was following behind her). The car stalled twiced more while she was driving it. We pulled over and I traded places with her. The car stalled on me several times as well. (Each time it happened I was slowing down to a stop).
On the way home I took the car to a deserted country road near where I live. I tested the car by accelerating hard (it accelerates like a rocket) and then coming to an abrupt stop. No stalling.
But if I I slowed down to a stop the car would just die on me. It would not sputter and die (like when a car does when it runs out of gas). It would just shut down, like someone had turned off the key. No stuttering, no shudders, no surges, just the engine turning off, like somone had turned the key and turned the engine off. A complete and totally "smooth death." When it stalled, I would put it in PARK and then start the car right back again--as if nothing had happened.
The car's stalling problem is now worse after the mechanic changed the potentiometer.
I ave made up my mind that I am not taking the car back to the current mechanic. The owner of the current shop sold the shop to a new mechanic (the one working on my daughter's car now). the old mechanic was very good at diagnosing and fixing problems. The new mechanic/owner is a nice guy, but I can't afford to trust my daughter's safety to him, while he keeps trying fixes that don't work. More than the money itself (which is a BIG issue) is the question of my daughter's safety. I just won't have her driving a car that repeatedly stalls.
Tomorrow, I am taking the car to Enrique. It is a bit of a drive out of my way, but you guys here rave so much about him, that I just have to give him a try.
Before I take the car to Enrique, I would like to ask your opinion on some issues.
1. How do you suggest I approach the current mechanic about the worhtless repairs? I am not taking the car back to him, ever again, so I can't prevail on his goodwill. Legally I have several options, but I want to stay away from the legal arena (at least for now) so any suggestions?
2. If Enrique can't fix the stall, is it time to dump the 300TE? Other than the stalling (and this is a big "other than") the car runs great and is mechanically and cosmetically in great shape. Have the rest of you who, have experienced stalling problems with your 300E cars, been able to successfully resolve the problem (on a long term basis)?
3. Any suggestions on how to deal with Enrique as a new customer? Should I bring him bagels and donuts
Should I mention this website?
Thanks for all your help and suggestions.
I will post final results after Enrique tends to the 300TE.