I am calling upon the community's collective wisdom to try to find a solution to my current dilemma.
A few years ago I bought a used 2006 turbo Chrysler PT Cruiser. I also bought a service contract through the reseller (CarMax) which covers repairs up to 125,000 miles. The current mileage is 106,000. On July 23, the car suddenly lost momentum on the expressway. I coasted to the shoulder as the malfunction indicator light illuminated and remained illuminated. I could press the accelerator in any gear, but it behaved as if in Neutral. I had it towed to the only Chrysler dealership in my area. They told me that the transmission control module is defective and needs to be replaced. They also told me that it's a part that is no longer manufactured and no dealership in the area has any in stock. They ran "a trace" to try to find a remanufactured computer at any dealer in the country and found none. Now I'm told they're running a second trace.
It looks as if the Chrysler dealership cannot repair a Chrysler vehicle. What can I do? I have a few payments left on the vehicle and thousands of miles left on the service contract. My wife suggests I convince the dealership that if they can't repair the vehicle, they should buy it from me, or use the value of the vehicle toward a new lease. (I am done buying cars - only leasing from now on.)
I've never even heard of such a situation before, where the dealership can't repair its own brand. What are my options? Thanks in advance.