Re: 2020 Tata Harrier Automatic : Official Review Posting a recent experience that I had -
While driving sedately in Bangalore evening traffic on Old Airport Road, suddenly I see the error 'Drive Mode Malfunction' followed by 'Hill Hold Assist Malfunction', there seemed no loss of power or weird behavior. Since this road is broad and the traffic is free flowing, I pulled over to the side put on the hazards and switched off the engine. As soon as I try to switch the engine ON, and press the brake pedal it refuses to depress. Great, now the car won't move off the Park mode. Wait for a while (10-15 mins), retry the whole thing, nothing changes.
Immediately I call EMM motors in Banaswadi where the car was last serviced a month ago. After listening to the entire story they tell me that I need to call RSA and get the car to the service center. My worry was it was almost 5:30 pm and all SCs will be winding up for the day.
I call the RSA for Tata Motors expecting some help, they take down the details and tell me that since the car is in Park mode, they'd need to send a technician to put it in Neutral mode and the TOW truck to tow the vehicle. Also I am informed that since my car is out of regular warranty (still on EW, Dec 2020 make), I'd need to pay for the services and its some 800 for technician and 3k for the tow truck. I agree to pay and wait. Around 6:30 I call them back, this is how the conversation goes -
CC - I have all your details and one guy is arranging the technician, but none of the SCs are responding.
Me - Please share the details that you have
CC - XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Me - Apart from the car number, everything else including my contact number is incorrect.
CC - Ok. Let me cancel this and log a fresh ticket.
I wait for another hour and at 7:30 again call them
CC - Still arranging sir.
8:00 pm -
I call them back again
CC - Sir you cancelled the second ticket saying you dont need the service
Me = Dumb founded. I gather my wits, mouth some profanities (silently of course) and ask them to log a third ticket and ask them to add a note saying this ticket should not be closed without my agreement.
10 mins later I get a call
CC - Sir tow truck arranged but no technician is available
Tow truck guy - I wont tow the car if its not in Neutral.
Me - Is that not the problem in the first place?
Tow truck guy - I dont know. I wont tow.
I call my regular SA at KHT motors. He says the tow truck guy can put it in neutral no technician is required. I take the CC and tow truck guy on conference with SA.
SA - Why dont you help sir?
Tow truck guy - I am helping but wont to without car in N.
SA - You can put it in N
Tow truck guy - I cant
Me - Tell me what needs to be done, I will do it. CC, Tow truck guy call me back in 10
SA - Sir I will get my mechanic on call, he will guide you. Just follow what he says
Mech - Sir pull out the gear lever cover, There is a small white box type button. Press it and move the gear lever to N.
Me - Thanks boys. You are rock stars.
I call back CC, and the tow truck arrived at 9:45 pm a full 4.5 hours after the car decided to throw its tantrums.
The SC didnt look at the car the following day due to heavy volumes. The second day the SA called me and said -
SA - Sir it seems the issue is some wiring related issue. Will update in an hour
An hour later -
SA - Sir, the brake light switch conked off and blew the fuse. That was the problem. We will take a longish test drive. And take another one the next morning. Once convinced only then we will give you the car.
Me - Whatever... Give me back a problem-free car.
Next day
SA - Sir, your car is ready. Please collect. Fixed under warranty. No charges.
Me = Pissed off with RSA. Very happy with SA and SC.
The lesson I learnt is that if an automatic car gets stuck in P mode, its pretty easy to move it into Neutral, so that it can be towed.
The electronics part better do not mess with on your own in a modern car, esp. one in warranty or extended warranty. I wouldn't. |