TonyH Posted July 4, 2021 Report Share Posted July 4, 2021 Hi, Where have Tony & Annie Heat been? Go and make a cuppa......it’s a long story! Three weeks ago we were towed into Alice Springs. We were traveling on The Plenty Hwy between Tobermory & Jervois Station when the truck started play up (as in transmission problems). We were able to reach Jervois Station, and with the generous assistance of the property manager able to make contact with the NRMA/AANT. A tow was quickly and painlessly organised thanks to our Premium Roadside Assist Membership. Due to geographical distance the towie turned up the next morning at 8ish the truck was unceremoniously loaded onto the tilt tray truck and the van hitched up to the back of the tow truck. We arrived in Alice on the Saturday of the Finke Race,it was bedlam there were cars, trucks, trailers & lots of people everywhere. All the caravan parks were full and if you could get a spot in a CP the cheeky buggers were asking and getting $90pn, anyway it was suggeasted we try the Alice show ground (Blatherskite Park). On arrival we were greeted by an attentive attendant who was obliging and compassionate in our dilemma. She guided us to a ‘camping’ spot the van unhitched and the truck off loaded. Contact was made with Performax’s suggested repairer here in Alice, it was agreed that I take our ‘sick’ truck to his workshop the following Tuesday as Monday was a public holiday. I also found out that another repairer (Heath Lawson from Maroochydore) I knew was in Alice competing in the Finke Race, I was able to speak with Heath on the Sunday. On the Tuesday, I was able to ‘limp’ the truck to the suggested repairer ‘Ben’, he hooked up his laptop carried out many tests on the vehicles electronics and came up with a failed TCM (transmission control module) and testing results also indicated that the transmission was in a ‘locked state’. Heath turned up at the workshop, with prior agreement from Ben which I appreciated, he also connected his diagnostics equipment and came up with the same diagnosis as Ben. Heath indicated at that time he would be prepared to rebuild my transmission here in Alice before he went back to Maroochydore, I was excited at this prospect as I have full confidence in Heath’s work as he works pretty well exclusively on GM and Allison transmissions. He said he had a new TCM in his workshop at Maroochydore, this was despatched to Alice. Heath in the mean time would continue his travels to Darwin and await fitment of the new TCM, potentially returning to Alice when the new TCM was fitted. The new TCM arrived (after 10 days👎).......this was fitted and required programming to my vehicles unique VIN. (vehicle identification number). Rarely in my life do things go to plan, after a period it was established that the tuning module supplied with the new TCM was not compatible with my vehicle model. So the TCM and tuning module were removed. Since the fiasco with the TCM install both Darwin & Alice have gone into COVID lockdown and Heath is unable to return to Alice. (Shit happens) The truck is still in the workshop, with no TCM and a buggered transmission STILL fitted to the truck. The transmission was supposed to be removed last Tuesday, but because of Covid that didn’t eventuate. Heath’s return to Alice is definitely not going to happen......his office girl is desperate for his return to Maroochydore. That will be interesting with border closures and quarantining. And Ben is not answering his phone, again because of frigging Covid! Thinking now.....the transmission will have to go Adelaide to be rebuilt, can really see us still being here in Alice Springs for at least another three weeks. I have hired a little Mitsubishi Mirage to get around in, it has more rattles than a millionaires baby & 200k on the clock.....but it starts & runs. We have been able to do some touristy things around Alice, it really is a lovely area. I’m sure we will do more exploring before the truck is finally finished. Here were we are at the Showground, part of the Macdonnell Ranges is only a k away, with beaut views of the Pyndan (red soil & rocks) covered in spinifex constantly changing vistas as the sun moves throughout the day, it is special! It is about 12 years since I was in Alice last, the town is cleaner/tidier than I remember & ‘the locals’ have also appear to have a better appearance and outlook. We have not seen/witnessed any drinking seasons ‘in the Todd’ or other areas which is great for them and the community generally! Hoping I haven’t bored you too much with this long screed, here are a few photos of the past few weeks Stay safe there are idiots out there! 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted July 4, 2021 Report Share Posted July 4, 2021 I love the Red Centre and have enjoyed many trips there over the years. And we once worked at Utopia Station, out along the Sandover Hwy, but that’s another story for another time. in years to come you will be able to laugh about all this, Tony and Annie. But for the time being you at least have the comfort of the van and a car to get around. Good luck with getting the transmission rebuilt. In the meantime, there is a magic restaurant across in East side, which locals know and love. Casa Nostra. Book before going as it’s very popular with locals. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyH Posted July 4, 2021 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2021 Chris, thanks for the tip on the eatery, just googled it looks great. Will give it a try before we leave! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bas Posted July 4, 2021 Report Share Posted July 4, 2021 Tony and Annie, we feel your pain. What a pain in the A! It will be very cool there at the moment, but which is better, heat or cold? Hang in there and keep us posted on progress. Bas and Cas 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted July 4, 2021 Report Share Posted July 4, 2021 4 hours ago, TonyH said: Chris, thanks for the tip on the eatery, just googled it looks great. Will give it a try before we leave! my favourite dish is the veal scallopine a la funghi (or something close to this spelling 😁). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Webmaster Posted July 6, 2021 Report Share Posted July 6, 2021 My word you get yourself into pickles Mr Heat. Poor Annie must be tearing her hair out. I would say that about you but from last I remember it was already gone. Hope all works out soon. We are sitting in Katherine awaiting WA to open without isolation so we can cross the border and head for home. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyH Posted July 6, 2021 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2021 Thanks guys, travel safe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATV42 Posted July 6, 2021 Report Share Posted July 6, 2021 Hi Tony and Annie. Thanks for the update, we were wandering how you got on with the transmission problem. Guess you’ll have to sit there for a while, or hook the Mitsubishi Mirage up to the Kedron. If you do, post a photo!!!!!! Least your safe and well, and that’s good. Cheers from Pete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyH Posted July 7, 2021 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2021 Hi Pete, Steering is incredibly light, and it’s hard to pull up, but we will get there! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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