Transmission problems...

Ugh..

My wifes car started acting up about 2 weeks age.
Started revving between shifts.
I checked the fluid and topped off the fluid. Seemed to get better but not totally better.

I called a transmission shop and his words were. "oh that doesn't sound good".
He'll road test with a Tech II and see. But if he has to hook it up to his computers then 75 bucks just to find out whats wrong with it....

Welcome the holiday season.... Bring it on...,..

Re: Transmission problems...

Yup the diagnosis charge is pretty legit and normal......

I would say for the "mechanics" here to help you should add in the following information-

Year / type of car
Miles on trans
Last (if any) fluid change
and what have you tried?

I know when I had an older Ford Bronco starting to slip I was told by an old transmission guy to try Trans-X and that did the trick.

I feel your pain...... I just recently had my 4runner radiator go bad and the transmission fluid mixed with my anti-freeze ...... the entire repair and ordeal was not pretty........ put a huge dent in my money

Re: Transmission problems...

Well, it could be as simple as a new transmission filter and fresh fluid. when the filters have been in there a good while they can get stopped up and starve the transmission for fluid. How long since you had it serviced?

Re: Transmission problems...

It bothers me to see how many people expect to have a free or nearly free diagnosis on their car.

Speaking in terms of a flat rate auto tech for several years; my expertise, my equipment, and my time are all worth something. Not to mention the sometimes staggering overhead costs of running a properly equipped, competitive shop. Diagnostic equipment, scan tool updates, SSTs, informational services such as Mitchell or Alldata, employee salary/benefits, utilities, rent/lease/mortgage on the building, all cost money.

Not trying to be a wise guy here, but if the gentleman who was looking at your vehicle was doing all this for nothing, what benefits would he receive? He would be taking time out of his day that he could have been using to generate profit. While some may argue that taking it on the chin and doing the diag for you at no charge may make a loyal customer, more often than not, someone who receives a free diagnosis from anybody usually does 1 of 2 things. They either don't want to pay for such an expensive proposition as a tranny rebuild/replacement, or they start price shopping else where, both leaving the original tech who looked at the vehicle at a net loss.


It sucks that your transmission sounds like its starting to check out, especially so close to the holidays too. Like Bob_VT stated, post some info about the vehicle. Maybe someone will have some ideas. I will caution against the use of transmission in a bottle. That stuff can help out with the older 3 and 4 speed autos, but its not going to work miracles. It may help with slipping friction material, but its not going to fix a bad shift solenoid, or broken transmission hard part.

Re: Transmission problems...

Should have mentioned.

2000 Saturn
L200 3.0 L
The transmission type is 4T40 or 4T45 (haven't confirmed one yet)
Not sure on Mileage. I think around 140,000

I haven't dumped the pan and changed the fluid/filter.
We've had the car since June or July this year.
The car we well maintained and serviced. But I don't know if they serviced the transmission. Seems to be a neglected component for many people.
I just hate to spend 35-40 bucks on a filter and fluid, Then spend another 75 to diagnose.

Unfortunately I've done all the checking I can do.
It always shifted fine and strong. I was fine one day, next it's doing this.

Rogers:
I by no means expect someone to fix or look at my car for free.
I've been working on cars since I was 14. So I have many miles on cars. Just not that knowledgeable about Transmission.
You don't have to get all upset. I was merely complaining about the cost of just checking... I know if I have to rebuild the trans, it will cost me about 400 to rebuild it my self.

It's one of those time when the car always seems to break down as you have no money to fix it.

Re: Transmission problems...

robert graham said:

Well, it could be as simple as a new transmission filter and fresh fluid. when the filters have been in there a good while they can get stopped up and starve the transmission for fluid. How long since you had it serviced?

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While an optimistic opinion, the fact of the matter is that the majority of transmissions (especially FWD) these days don't have filters. They may just merely have a fine mesh screen on the oil pickup.

If there is so much friction material in the pan that it clogs the screen/pickup then there isn't much left for clutch material in the transmission. If a modern transmission is starved for oil to the point that it slips, chances are good that the clutches are now junk before and after a transmission service. In allot of cases, changing the fluid on a slipping transmission usually exacerbates the problem, because the fluid you are adding doesn't have all the clutch material absorbed into it, therefore it is thinner and pushes through the now out of tolerance parts allot easier.

Re: Transmission problems...

Maybe just get the transmission fluid and filter changed, since it's probably never been done, it's a pretty good bet that will fix it, at least for a while. Of course, with 10 years and 140K on the odometer, there's no way of knowing about anything for sure. I've got 135K on my Buick and if the transmission started acting up, the fluid and filter would be my first shot. Good Luck!

Re: Transmission problems...

BuzzStPoint said:

Should have mentioned.

2000 Saturn
L200 3.0 L
The transmission type is 4T40 or 4T45 (haven't confirmed one yet)
Not sure on Mileage. I think around 140,000

I haven't dumped the pan and changed the fluid/filter.
We've had the car since June or July this year.
The car we well maintained and serviced. But I don't know if they serviced the transmission. Seems to be a neglected component for many people.
I just hate to spend 35-40 bucks on a filter and fluid, Then spend another 75 to diagnose.

Unfortunately I've done all the checking I can do.
It always shifted fine and strong. I was fine one day, next it's doing this.

Rogers:
I by no means expect someone to fix or look at my car for free.
I've been working on cars since I was 14. So I have many miles on cars. Just not that knowledgeable about Transmission.
You don't have to get all upset. I was merely complaining about the cost of just checking... I know if I have to rebuild the trans, it will cost me about 400 to rebuild it my self.

It's one of those time when the car always seems to break down as you have no money to fix it.

Click to expand...

No worries Buzz.

I don't see any biggies on Mitchell on demand other than contamination of the MAF causing slips/shift concerns. Mostly aimed at people using K&N filters that have been over oiled. May be worth a look at your hot wires in the MAF. If they look dirty I would hose them with a shot of MAF cleaner. Wouldn't be the first GM MAF I have seen caked with ship...

Re: Transmission problems...

Trannys will often start to slip when the internal clutches are worn out and more noticeable when the engine gets warm. Before you pay a dime to have it checked a simple test is to pull the dip stick and SMELL..If it is dark and smells like burned almonds this means the tranny is "burned up" and will require a rebuild. No magic in a can or fluid change can fix this,,,Keep in mind that when the tranny is slipping it is creating excessive heat which is the worse thing that can happen to a transmission.

Re: Transmission problems...

BuzzStPoint said:

I just hate to spend 35-40 bucks on a filter and fluid,...

Click to expand...

You shouldn't have to spend that much. A filter is about $12 and the fluid required is about $15.

Re: Transmission problems...

thefairlaneman said:

Before you pay a dime to have it checked a simple test is to pull the dip stick and SMELL..

Click to expand...

Can't this is a "Dipstick less" Tranmission.
According to Saturn, "There is no need to check the fluid level of the transmission" If fluid level needs to be checked then service is needed.

There is a procedure to checking the level, and have done so.
I dont have any MAF cleaner, so that really wouldn't go to waste.
As for Aftermarket items.. None.

On another note. I took the car to the Shop. He did a quick test drive and said he thinks it is slipping. Could be clutches or clutch hub. Kind of hard to tell.
So If I want a definitive answer I'll have to pay him to hook it up and do a diagnostic.

I'm not so sure it is the clutches. If I stomp on the gas, when it does the "Slip" it doesn't gradually fall in. It will slip and catch real quick. Solenoids run about 30-40 bucks each. Not sure here. Have to talk with the wife and see what she wants to do.

Re: Transmission problems...

Does it rev between all shifts or just between say, first and second or second and third? Does it do it all the time or only when cold or hot?

Changing the fluid, if original, in a tranny with that many miles won't make the problem go away. Most likely it will make it worse.

Not to endorse any specific shops, but the Mr Transmission shops around here will perform the scan for free. Only places I know of that still do that.

Re: Transmission problems...

I don't want to change fluid at this point.

It only does this slipping now between 2-3
Cold and at operating temp. No change.
Yesterday it was 1-2 and 2-3
After checking the fluid the 1-2 shifted normally.

No "Mr Transmission" shops around there.

There are a few places there that work on them here. Most shops here don't actually repair them, they replace the transmission or send it to the place I took the car this afternoon.

Re: Transmission problems...

BuzzStPoint said:

I don't want to change fluid at this point.

It only does this slipping now between 2-3
Cold and at operating temp. No change.
Yesterday it was 1-2 and 2-3
After checking the fluid the 1-2 shifted normally.

No "Mr Transmission" shops around there.

There are a few places there that work on them here. Most shops here don't actually repair them, they replace the transmission or send it to the place I took the car this afternoon.

Click to expand...

You ignored the problem for 2 weeks. Maybe if you keep ignoring it it'll go away.

If the car's worth fixing, get it fixed soon. If it isn't, get in the market soon.

Re: Transmission problems...

" I dont have any MAF cleaner, so that really wouldn't go to waste."



Not sure I understand the "go to waste part"....

If Saturn/GM take the time to post a bulletin stating that MAF feedback is critical to transmission performance, I would take their advice and check the condition of the MAF. In the case of you vehicle, it seems that the line pressure is determined off of calculated load which is measured by feed back VIA the MAF. With 140K on the clock, allot of air has passed through that sensor.

I deal with readiness issues in a state emissions program, and can tell you first hand that I have seen many a contaminated MAF causing issues, whether the vehicle had K&N filters or standard paper filters was usually irrelevant. I once witnessed fuel trims on a GM vehicle change from -25% LFT under load to +3% after cleaning the filthy MAF.

Take it for what its worth
Just my $.02

Re: Transmission problems...

RogersJetboat454 said:

" I dont have any MAF cleaner, so that really wouldn't go to waste."



Not sure I understand the "go to waste part"....

If Saturn/GM take the time to post a bulletin stating that MAF feedback is critical to transmission performance, I would take their advice and check the condition of the MAF. In the case of you vehicle, it seems that the line pressure is determined off of calculated load which is measured by feed back VIA the MAF. With 140K on the clock, allot of air has passed through that sensor.

I deal with readiness issues in a state emissions program, and can tell you first hand that I have seen many a contaminated MAF causing issues, whether the vehicle had K&N filters or standard paper filters was usually irrelevant. I once witnessed fuel trims on a GM vehicle change from -25% LFT under load to +3% after cleaning the filthy MAF.

Take it for what its worth
Just my $.02

Click to expand...

I have another vehicle with a MAF, plus the cars that I do work on for side jobs, this wouldn't be wasted. For example. About 3 years ago I did a brake job. I bought 2 of the large bottles of brake fluid. I've had one of those bottles in my garage for that long.. Wasted. Haven't done brakes in that long.

Another wasted part could be trans filter and fluid. If it the trans is slipping, changing the fluid and filter could only make it worse. "wasted parts and money" especially if I have to dump the trans and rebuild it.

Re: Transmission problems...

BuzzStPoint said:

I have another vehicle with a MAF, plus the cars that I do work on for side jobs, this wouldn't be wasted. For example. About 3 years ago I did a brake job. I bought 2 of the large bottles of brake fluid. I've had one of those bottles in my garage for that long.. Wasted. Haven't done brakes in that long.

Another wasted part could be trans filter and fluid. If it the trans is slipping, changing the fluid and filter could only make it worse. "wasted parts and money" especially if I have to dump the trans and rebuild it.

Click to expand...

If I understand you correctly, the can of MAF cleaner wouldn't be a waist, and I agree.

I have made vehicles with stuck readiness monitors run their monitors after cleaning the MAF. I also use it when I do a tune-up. Even with a fairly clean air filter, there is always some dirt that gets on the hot wires. I suppose it would make a great electrical contact cleaner too. It leaves no residue, and evaporates in seconds.

Re: Transmission problems...

Man jetboat, you know your stuff. In this case it sounds to me like $75 would be money well spent to determine whether the car is worth repairing. Money spent on cleaners and fluids could quickly exceed that. As Andy Griffith told Aunt Bea once, "Just pay the man!" Sorry Buzz, don't mean to make light of your sitch. Been there and it ain't fun. Good luck whatever you do.

Re: Transmission problems...

lncoop said:

Man jetboat, you know your stuff. In this case it sounds to me like $75 would be money well spent to determine whether the car is worth repairing. Money spent on cleaners and fluids could quickly exceed that. As Andy Griffith told Aunt Bea once, "Just pay the man!" Sorry Buzz, don't mean to make light of your sitch. Been there and it ain't fun. Good luck whatever you do.

Click to expand...

Just giving the man a possble solution to his cause.
$6 for a can of cleaner that can be used for more than one car isn't really that much money.

Hate to say it, but since its been slipping for a while, a dirty sensor is probably a moot point. Although cleaning a dirty one to get a proper calculated load hence proper line pressure will make a reman/rebuilt transmission much happier in the long run.

Re: Transmission problems...

Let me through this into the mix.
I'm not so sure the transmission is slipping.

A few days ago.
Started the car this morning and it shut down. Restarted and it was bogging out but quickly cleared up (30 seconds or so) but long enough to through an engine code.

There was an odd sound from the transmission. Sounded like a vacuum leak. And every gear slammed into gear. Felt like my old Buick with a Stage 3 shift kit in it. No slippage. But as soon as I cleared the code, it went back to the way it's now. (Engine code P0305 (Cyl 5 misfire))

We just have to wait till we get paid and send the car in to have a computer diagnostic done to the transmission.