Please help me determine if my TL was wrecked.
- Thread starter BuickGN
- Start date
- Status
So far, the hood, trunk, and all 4 doors have matching numbers. I found another number in sharpie on the transmission starting with 21,xxx in an area that would be impossible to write on with the trans in the car. I'm going to search around and see if anyone else has sharpie writing on their transmissions.
I've never seen Sharpie writing on a new engine or transmission.
does the vin number match the vin on your insurance card ?
Originally Posted By: BuickGN
So far, the hood, trunk, and all 4 doors have matching numbers. I found another number in sharpie on the transmission starting with 21,xxx in an area that would be impossible to write on with the trans in the car. I'm going to search around and see if anyone else has sharpie writing on their transmissions.
Don't bother.
You have savage (used) parts on your car.
MFG do not use sharpies for noting anything on the car. Paint marks yes (for QC checks, Levels and such) but I'm afraid somewhere your car got some used parts from a junk yard on it.
The problem is you have to PROVE that they put them on.
No one is going to mess with the VIN number so do not bother with it. You have the correct VIN.
What I would do is;
1. Run a Carfax on it. If it was involved in a accident and the police did enter the VIN on the accident report, it should show up. *IF* it was involved while the body shop had it in their possession then you got them.
2. Take the car to a dealership and have them note on a invoice or letter from them that the car does have non-factory parts (IE it did not come from the factory with those parts) This will be needed to show that you have checked out and have proof that you are damaged.
3. Contact a lawyer.
Are you sure that those sharpie markings were NOT there before the accident? The place that you bought it from may have sold you a parts car if you are not sure. If they did, then you prob don't have much to stand on.
But it sounds like to me that the car was involved in ANOTHER accident while they were repairing your fender bender. That accident was much worst and I am hoping that the CarFax shows it. If it does, I think there will be a Honda Dealership owing you some $$ or another car.
Bill
So far, the hood, trunk, and all 4 doors have matching numbers. I found another number in sharpie on the transmission starting with 21,xxx in an area that would be impossible to write on with the trans in the car. I'm going to search around and see if anyone else has sharpie writing on their transmissions.
Don't bother.
You have savage (used) parts on your car.
MFG do not use sharpies for noting anything on the car. Paint marks yes (for QC checks, Levels and such) but I'm afraid somewhere your car got some used parts from a junk yard on it.
The problem is you have to PROVE that they put them on.
No one is going to mess with the VIN number so do not bother with it. You have the correct VIN.
What I would do is;
1. Run a Carfax on it. If it was involved in a accident and the police did enter the VIN on the accident report, it should show up. *IF* it was involved while the body shop had it in their possession then you got them.
2. Take the car to a dealership and have them note on a invoice or letter from them that the car does have non-factory parts (IE it did not come from the factory with those parts) This will be needed to show that you have checked out and have proof that you are damaged.
3. Contact a lawyer.
Are you sure that those sharpie markings were NOT there before the accident? The place that you bought it from may have sold you a parts car if you are not sure. If they did, then you prob don't have much to stand on.
But it sounds like to me that the car was involved in ANOTHER accident while they were repairing your fender bender. That accident was much worst and I am hoping that the CarFax shows it. If it does, I think there will be a Honda Dealership owing you some $$ or another car.
Bill
I'd imagine the trans serial # would coincide with the engine serial #, just like they do on domestic cars in the past. This is a big deal with Corvette collectors and others who want verification that the engine AND trans in a certain car were the one's installed when the car was originally built.
If you can confirm the trans SN is different than the engine SN and the car's VIN, you might have the basis for a case against the body shop. I have no idea how Honda does their SN's but Sharpie markings are specious at best and probably a waste of time worrying about them. Get some hard casting numbers, decode them and go from there.
If you can confirm the trans SN is different than the engine SN and the car's VIN, you might have the basis for a case against the body shop. I have no idea how Honda does their SN's but Sharpie markings are specious at best and probably a waste of time worrying about them. Get some hard casting numbers, decode them and go from there.
A lot of good info here, but don't put too much faith in Carfax for being accurate. I had a Van legally parked in front of my house which was hit and totalled. I was paid from the driver of the car who hit me via their insurance company. I ran a Carfax on it about 2 years later while working at a Dealership, no record. I ran several Carfax reports on cars that were involved in accidents that didn't show up either. Its a tool that works most of the time but not always. It also can take a while for the data to reach a Carfax report.
You are going to have one [censored] of a time proving anything, especially if you are now in posession of the car.
HTH,
Frank D
You are going to have one [censored] of a time proving anything, especially if you are now in posession of the car.
HTH,
Frank D
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
Originally Posted By: JasonC
does the vin number match the vin on your insurance card ?
Just quoting this to echo it's importance!!! It's not the numbers matching that's the issue, it's the numbers matching YOUR CAR; the VIN on your Insurance/Ownership that is important!!!
does the vin number match the vin on your insurance card ?
Just quoting this to echo it's importance!!! It's not the numbers matching that's the issue, it's the numbers matching YOUR CAR; the VIN on your Insurance/Ownership that is important!!!
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
A lot of good info here, but don't put too much faith in Carfax for being accurate. I had a Van legally parked in front of my house which was hit and totalled. I was paid from the driver of the car who hit me via their insurance company. I ran a Carfax on it about 2 years later while working at a Dealership, no record. I ran several Carfax reports on cars that were involved in accidents that didn't show up either. Its a tool that works most of the time but not always. It also can take a while for the data to reach a Carfax report.
You are going to have one [censored] of a time proving anything, especially if you are now in posession of the car.
HTH,
Frank D
That is why I said;
Quote:
If it was involved in a accident and the police did enter the VIN on the accident report, it should show up.
The problem is the police sometimes (most of the time) do NOT put in the VIN. They put in the plate number and think that someone else will put in the VIN.
It does not get in. Also, there are a few states that do NOT contribute to the national database for accidents, maintenance and savage stating that it is a privacy issue.
I agree with you Frank, he has a impossible task proving anything. That is why I hope the Carfax flags a incident while the body shop had it.
Also, MOST dealerships do not do body work, they send it out. At least around here and in California where I have had some family have problems with repairs.
Take care, bill
A lot of good info here, but don't put too much faith in Carfax for being accurate. I had a Van legally parked in front of my house which was hit and totalled. I was paid from the driver of the car who hit me via their insurance company. I ran a Carfax on it about 2 years later while working at a Dealership, no record. I ran several Carfax reports on cars that were involved in accidents that didn't show up either. Its a tool that works most of the time but not always. It also can take a while for the data to reach a Carfax report.
You are going to have one [censored] of a time proving anything, especially if you are now in posession of the car.
HTH,
Frank D
That is why I said;
Quote:
If it was involved in a accident and the police did enter the VIN on the accident report, it should show up.
The problem is the police sometimes (most of the time) do NOT put in the VIN. They put in the plate number and think that someone else will put in the VIN.
It does not get in. Also, there are a few states that do NOT contribute to the national database for accidents, maintenance and savage stating that it is a privacy issue.
I agree with you Frank, he has a impossible task proving anything. That is why I hope the Carfax flags a incident while the body shop had it.
Also, MOST dealerships do not do body work, they send it out. At least around here and in California where I have had some family have problems with repairs.
Take care, bill
I forgot about the fact that the OEM transmission will have a VIN tag on it. It should be green colored and riveted to the transmission, near the bottom, on the front side. You should be able to see it by opening the hood and looking around with a flashlight. If you can't spot it a dealer tech would be able to point it out right away. If the tag is missing or the wrong VIN, then BINGO!
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: AcuraTech
I forgot about the fact that the OEM transmission will have a VIN tag on it. It should be green colored and riveted to the transmission, near the bottom, on the front side. You should be able to see it by opening the hood and looking around with a flashlight. If you can't spot it a dealer tech would be able to point it out right away. If the tag is missing or the wrong VIN, then BINGO!
Thank you!!! I've been looking on the trans kind of blindly. I found a sticker but the numbers aren't VIN numbers. I'll drop the plastic cover tomorrow for a better look since it's about time for a drain and refill anyway. BTW, two of the bellhousing bolts are rounded off and I've owned this car since it had 8 miles on it.
Again, thanks to everyone, even the ones that point out how retarded I am for the retarded payment.
I forgot about the fact that the OEM transmission will have a VIN tag on it. It should be green colored and riveted to the transmission, near the bottom, on the front side. You should be able to see it by opening the hood and looking around with a flashlight. If you can't spot it a dealer tech would be able to point it out right away. If the tag is missing or the wrong VIN, then BINGO!
Thank you!!! I've been looking on the trans kind of blindly. I found a sticker but the numbers aren't VIN numbers. I'll drop the plastic cover tomorrow for a better look since it's about time for a drain and refill anyway. BTW, two of the bellhousing bolts are rounded off and I've owned this car since it had 8 miles on it.
Again, thanks to everyone, even the ones that point out how retarded I am for the retarded payment.
Maybe analyze the engine/transmission oil if you're thinking you have the totally wrong car. If they put in whatever bulk oil they use into the transmission, and it does not match with your transmission fluid, then it's a dead ringer something happened.
SHARPIES
All of the C5 Corvettes I've looked at over the last 5 months have Sharpie writing on the rear differential cover.-every single one
All of the C5 Corvettes I've looked at over the last 5 months have Sharpie writing on the rear differential cover.-every single one
Originally Posted By: AcuraTech
You could run a car with all synthetic fluids, wash and wax it once a week, and it's still gonna be a rotten piece of junk in 20 years.
Speak for yourself. I have a 20 year old car that is far from a rotten piece of junk.
You could run a car with all synthetic fluids, wash and wax it once a week, and it's still gonna be a rotten piece of junk in 20 years.
Speak for yourself. I have a 20 year old car that is far from a rotten piece of junk.
Oh, nobody is beating you up over your car payment, not intentionally. It is however a big matzah ball to swallow. We are all just sharing our insights, observations and advice. lol, it's easier to be sharply critical online then face-to-face. Guy's friends are always sympathetic and offer no meaningful criticisim. My friends enjoy no such bunefit. Plato told us that it's ok to criticise your friends, that's what they are for.
I actually like the TL a lot and the TL-S is a beast, for someone who can afford it. I can't.
I actually like the TL a lot and the TL-S is a beast, for someone who can afford it. I can't.
A long time ago, the dealer had my Yukon to fix the trans. They had it for TWO WEEKS. When I finally got it back, I immediately noticed the tiny rock chips in the front of the hood were gone. It stayed in the back of my mind and then a few days later, my insurance company called me and asked why some guy I had never heard of was driving my truck and had an accident in it.
I went straight to the dealer and made the service manager come outside and have a look at my truck. The front bumper, grill and hood were all replaced with chinese parts. I put a dent in the front edge of the hood with my hand. I made them replace everything again with GMC parts. That's the way it was when I gave it to them.
Go over your car very carefully. have private, experienced body guy look it over. Don't let them get away with it.
I went straight to the dealer and made the service manager come outside and have a look at my truck. The front bumper, grill and hood were all replaced with chinese parts. I put a dent in the front edge of the hood with my hand. I made them replace everything again with GMC parts. That's the way it was when I gave it to them.
Go over your car very carefully. have private, experienced body guy look it over. Don't let them get away with it.
Originally Posted By: NYEngineer
A long time ago, the dealer had my Yukon to fix the trans. They had it for TWO WEEKS. When I finally got it back, I immediately noticed the tiny rock chips in the front of the hood were gone. It stayed in the back of my mind and then a few days later, my insurance company called me and asked why some guy I had never heard of was driving my truck and had an accident in it.
I went straight to the dealer and made the service manager come outside and have a look at my truck. The front bumper, grill and hood were all replaced with chinese parts. I put a dent in the front edge of the hood with my hand. I made them replace everything again with GMC parts. That's the way it was when I gave it to them.
Go over your car very carefully. have private, experienced body guy look it over. Don't let them get away with it.
wow, they didn't even use their own insurance to cover the damages???? how arrogant!
A long time ago, the dealer had my Yukon to fix the trans. They had it for TWO WEEKS. When I finally got it back, I immediately noticed the tiny rock chips in the front of the hood were gone. It stayed in the back of my mind and then a few days later, my insurance company called me and asked why some guy I had never heard of was driving my truck and had an accident in it.
I went straight to the dealer and made the service manager come outside and have a look at my truck. The front bumper, grill and hood were all replaced with chinese parts. I put a dent in the front edge of the hood with my hand. I made them replace everything again with GMC parts. That's the way it was when I gave it to them.
Go over your car very carefully. have private, experienced body guy look it over. Don't let them get away with it.
wow, they didn't even use their own insurance to cover the damages???? how arrogant!
Originally Posted By: Cutehumor
Originally Posted By: NYEngineer
A long time ago, the dealer had my Yukon to fix the trans. They had it for TWO WEEKS. When I finally got it back, I immediately noticed the tiny rock chips in the front of the hood were gone. It stayed in the back of my mind and then a few days later, my insurance company called me and asked why some guy I had never heard of was driving my truck and had an accident in it.
I went straight to the dealer and made the service manager come outside and have a look at my truck. The front bumper, grill and hood were all replaced with chinese parts. I put a dent in the front edge of the hood with my hand. I made them replace everything again with GMC parts. That's the way it was when I gave it to them.
Go over your car very carefully. have private, experienced body guy look it over. Don't let them get away with it.
wow, they didn't even use their own insurance to cover the damages???? how arrogant!
No, they did repair it, what happened was the guy driving it from the dealer to the trans shop produced my insurance card to the cop at the accident.
Originally Posted By: NYEngineer
A long time ago, the dealer had my Yukon to fix the trans. They had it for TWO WEEKS. When I finally got it back, I immediately noticed the tiny rock chips in the front of the hood were gone. It stayed in the back of my mind and then a few days later, my insurance company called me and asked why some guy I had never heard of was driving my truck and had an accident in it.
I went straight to the dealer and made the service manager come outside and have a look at my truck. The front bumper, grill and hood were all replaced with chinese parts. I put a dent in the front edge of the hood with my hand. I made them replace everything again with GMC parts. That's the way it was when I gave it to them.
Go over your car very carefully. have private, experienced body guy look it over. Don't let them get away with it.
wow, they didn't even use their own insurance to cover the damages???? how arrogant!
No, they did repair it, what happened was the guy driving it from the dealer to the trans shop produced my insurance card to the cop at the accident.
- Status
Similar threads
