Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/25 for details.
Options

Transmission Traumas?

1242527293048

Comments

  • 243243 Member Posts: 6
    For my 2001 Accord the dealer said Honda recently extended the warranty to 7yrs or 160,000km. I remember reading the Used Car lemon aid guide at the book store that gave more detail as per year and miles etc. You could check that out or call a few dealers to check to see if your year qualifies.
  • alexburkealexburke Member Posts: 1
    I owned a 1998 Accord EX V6 until recently. I drove it hard, but other than the factory fill it never saw anything other than Mobil 1 with its full scheduled maintenance -- not a single service was ever missed.

    The B7XA transmission started slipping (revving high then slamming into gear -- and this wasn't in just one gear, either). I took it to Mister Transmission and was quoted C$1,500 to C$2,000. Worried about the possibility of an unreplaced component inside the transmission failing after such a big repair bill, I had the whole thing replaced by the dealer with a reman at 230,000 km (140,000 miles) at a negotiated cost of C$3,000 (~US$2,200) plus taxes (parts and labour included). At first the dealer didn't think he could sell me such a transmission, since there was a part number for it but it was only valid for warranty replacements and not on a CP (Customer Pay) basis. They then informed me that they could do the job after all, so they did.

    I had doubts about the replacement B7XA transmission since it started exhibiting the same symptoms, yet much milder and quite rarely, around 265,000 km (35,000 km into the life of the replacement). I inquired about the warranty (something I should have done at the time of the replacement) and was told the warranty of the replacement was 12 months or 20,000 km, whichever came first. Luckily the symptoms seemed to go away.

    Two months ago I traded in that car, with 283,000 km on the odometer, towards a 2003 Accord EX V6 MT. I figured that way, even if I drove the snot out of this car like I did with the last one, at least I'd either just need a new clutch or new synchronizers -- and at the worst, rebuilding a manual is a LOT cheaper than rebuilding an automatic!
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    You managed to pile up a lot of mileage in your '98, especially for Canadian driving!
  • tec2938tec2938 Member Posts: 1
    I'm having trouble with a 2001 f150 supercrew 4.6 v8 i have have the transmission rebuilt at about 52,000 miles and am at 77,000 now and i just started to notice the same type slipping again basicly when you go get out in traffic occasionally and some times it feel like i catch it between gears as i might be slowing down and then step on the gas
  • mjbar194mjbar194 Member Posts: 2
    I recently purchased a 94 Accord LX, auto with 106k miles, for my son. After driving a bit, and possibly around 40 mph, there's a rumble, shaking noise as if we went over rumble strips in road. It's intermittant and the duration and degree varies. Is this a transmission problem, if not, any ideas?
  • chucko3chucko3 Member Posts: 793
    My 89 Accord also makes that rumbling & shaking noise when it runs over strips on high way.
    My take is it could bad engine mount(s).
    I didn't bother to have it checked because it runs fine on flat surface and I don't intend to keep the car for long.
  • tblazer503tblazer503 Member Posts: 620
    Couple of things that I would have inspected/checked first before suspecting the transmission....

    Vehicle Alignment
    Wheel/tire balancing
    Suspension(blown struts, weak springs(unlikely), loose mount, etc.
  • starbellestarbelle Member Posts: 2
    Purchased this 2000 Trans Am (automatic) in June, with 14,500 mi. For the past two months it has had a 'clink' noise coming from under car, when I go from park to reverse. Took it in to dealer, they changed u-joints, but did not help. Now they want to put in new drive shaft, although they can't say that's what it is for sure. Anyone had a similar problem?
    Anne
  • starbellestarbelle Member Posts: 2
  • swschradswschrad Member Posts: 2,171
    rear wheel drive vehicles generally do develop enough wear in the driveline so there is slack to take up in changing direction. hence the "clunk".

    if it's more of a "clink" I personally would just turn the CD up to 11 and be done with it. if a car squeaks in my key, I don't mind, we sing a duet.

    if it's a big old feelable "clunk" then something may need to be done. but lots of larger vehicles, particularly pickups and the like, have one as part of their package, and that's just the way that it is.

    if I have a "clunk" on a passenger sedan or coupe, I would have it checked. cost me two U-joints when I had one in my buick, way back when.
  • jprawicajprawica Member Posts: 1
    I have a 99 Venture with about 53K miles on it.
    I first noticed an occasional slip when the van had around 32K miles. I took it in and my dealer could never repeat the problem.(We figured, traction control?) It now happens more often, worse my wife was 300miles away when the vehicle showed a new symptom it would whine and hardshift. We could not repeat this problem until yesterday it happened again. Does anyone know about this, I heard there is a service bulleton about replacing a pressure control solenoid valve assembly? Cost?Any help would be great.
    thanks

    Jack
  • rejohnsonrejohnson Member Posts: 1
    1995 Toyota 4 Runner, Tranny slips when cold, changed the fluid and filter recently, but slipping still occurs. No problems after warm up. Any suggestions, Thanks in advance.
  • nissansentra94nissansentra94 Member Posts: 1
    A friend of mine has a 1994 Nissan Sentra (Auto), and just today, it stopped shifting into 3rd gear. Shifts fine into reverse, neutral, 1st and 2nd, but will not go into 3rd or overdrive. Transmission fluid checks ok, and is very clean. No odor that I could smell either, no lights or gauges on dashboard going haywire either. Suggested that it could be the trans filter, as that might be clogged, or perhaps a speed sensor, but I really don't know. Any ideas? He gives me a ride every day to work, and plus, I just plain feel bad as he has been having work done on his car just about every two weeks. Please help me out with suggestions, and if we could do it ourselves, or if a shop did it, how much could he expect to pay in repairs? Email me if you have any advice @ edwardvhawk@yahoo.com. Thanks so much.
  • desacolldesacoll Member Posts: 5
    We recently purchased a 2003 Honda Accord EX V6 with an automatic transmission. I don't exactly know if there is a problem, but I feel something (transmission?? brakes??) after backing out in the mornings and start to move forward. It isn't something you hear, but you actually feel it through the pedals. It is like a little thump coming from the other side of the floorboard. Is anybody else experiencing this? Does anybody have ideas on what it might be?

    Thanks,
    Doug
  • jebinc1jebinc1 Member Posts: 198
    no worries; that's your ABS pump doing a self check. Happens right before shifting into 2nd gear, right?
  • desacolldesacoll Member Posts: 5
    Thanks for the response Joe. It does happen just before shifting into 2nd gear. I didn't always feel it so I thought it may be some of problem. I really appreciate you putting my mind at ease! I'm sorry about the problems you have had with yours.

    Doug
  • dhammikardhammikar Member Posts: 3
    I own a 98 Nissan Altima with 120K on the clock. It had been an extremely faithful servant with only maintenance work done on it.. like oil, tune-ups, tyres, transmission service etc.. I have been taking good care of it.

    Recently however, it has developed a problem. When left idle over an extended period of time, the shift/engagement of the gears ( from "park" => reverse or drive) instantly kills the engine. Then I put the shift back to "park" and try again. After a few times, it engages reluctantly, still slowing the engine down. After a while say 2-5 mins., everything works OK. Cold weather seems to aggravate the problem.

    Once it gets going, the transmission shift is smooth and predictable and the only noticeable thing is that it had dropped gas mileage, about, 5%.

    Please help me in identifying the problem, so that I can talk to the garage people. I am still smarting from a "ride" which cost me $500.00. I most certainly want to avoid something like that this time.
  • vidtechvidtech Member Posts: 212
    does the engine seem to be idling at the proper RPM?
  • dhammikardhammikar Member Posts: 3
    Idling RPM is around 700, which is normal. Update: I now leave the start the car, leave it running idle for 2-3 mins. before I try to engage the gear. No problems! when I do that
  • lyoha45lyoha45 Member Posts: 1
    Does stalling a manual transmission car have much effect on the engine or the transmission?
  • jchorneaujchorneau Member Posts: 1
    With a newly installed transmission (into a 98 Ford Ranger), is it necessary to not drive it for long distances recently after installation? Someone told me that a long trip, of say over 400 miles could cause the new transmission to fail. That the parts need to take time to expand and move with heat and cold. Is this true? I need to make such a trip on the new transmission, would I be risking it?
  • jdickens1jdickens1 Member Posts: 2
    I started my car this morning and heard a whinning noise. I drove my car about a mile and the trasmission stopped pulling. I checked the transmission fluid and it was full. I started the car and drove about a mile and the transmission stopped pulling. Is my transmission broken?
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Doesn't sound good. Could be a pump failure. You might want to have it towed in and have the pan dropped and see if there is a lot of debris in there. Lotsa shiny metal flakes is bad news.
  • eclipsechickeclipsechick Member Posts: 1
    heres my problem ive had a lot of problems with my 98 gst eclipse
    and one thing breaks after another i just recently replaced my crank shaft pulley last month and they said it was a common problem
    but now latley when im driving up slight hills my car keeps reving like its trying to get into gear
     and then i press the gas harder and it goes now people are telling me my trans might be going and some tell me it might be the torque converter?
     i dont know i have 104,000 miles on it can someone answer my question???????
  • alcanalcan Member Posts: 2,550
    Take it to a reputable transmission shop and ask them to road test it and retrieve any stored trouble codes. Post the codes (if any) and we'll go from there.
  • q45manq45man Member Posts: 416
    Your Chrysler tranny lasted 104,000 miles WOW you are lucky.......they have on average as a company one of the highest earliest failure rates [6-7 year failure rate] in the automobile industry........hearsay from friends who own tranny repair shops. But Ford is a strong second.

    Why do you think even legitiment extended "warranty" service contracts stop a 100,000 miles.......the probabilites get too high.
  • jkramer3jkramer3 Member Posts: 1
    My 2000 Buick Century has the intermittant launch shudder problem as described by Alcan, and the TSB (see below).

    The problem is very intermittant, and of course will never show up at the dealer. The car is still under an extended warranty and I would like to have it fixed before it expires. Does anyone know any tricks to have the problem show up? The dealer will not do anything w/o seeing the problem, even commenting that other things could cause the symptoms, ie: faulty ignition?
    The problem first showed up (coincidently?) after having the trannie fluid and filter changed. Now if I wait long enough between checking the fluid, I'll get some black stuff on the dipstick, which bothers me.
    Any help is appreciated,
    Thanks in advance,
    Joe

    TSB # 00-07-30-002B by alcan Jun 05, 2003 (4:19 pm)
    Slips, Harsh Upshift or Garage Shifts, Launch Shudders, Flares, Erratic Shifts and Intermittent Concerns, DTC P1811 or P0748 Set (Replace Pressure Control Solenoid Valve Assembly) #00-07-30-002B - (07/19/2002)
    Slips, Harsh Upshift or Garage Shifts, Launch Shudders, Flares, Erratic Shifts and Intermittent Concerns, DTC P1811 or P0748 Set (Replace Pressure Control Solenoid Valve Assembly)
  • jenk726jenk726 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2001 Ford Escape with 63k miles on it. I dropped it off this morning for service because it was feeling sluggish when the automatic transmission changed gears. Service guy took it for a drive and got 2 miles away and the transmission died...no forward gears at all would work. They are towing it back now. He called the dealer who said that they are starting to see this happening on 2001 Ford Escape's at about 45-50k miles and I should consider myself lucky that I got to 63k. I have no extended warranty left and there is no recourse from Ford. Just also had the car in the shop in November because of (ultimately) a cracked master brake cylinder. Although I love the car, I plan to sell soon.
  • timmer23timmer23 Member Posts: 24
    I have a '91 Jeep Cherokee with automatic transmission that I use to deliver mail. A couple months ago I noticed that it was having trouble shifting into 2nd gear from 1st. The RPMs can go up to 3500 with the accelerator barely being depressed, but the transmission won't shift gears until around 35 MPH. After driving for 5-10 minutes, the problem goes away. The transmission fluid is at the proper level.

    Not having trouble after the transmission has warmed up leads me to believe that the problem is not with the transmission itself, but probably another component. Can somebody shed some light on what may be causing this? Thanks.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Have you had your fluid changed recently?

    That Jeep is being used in the hardest and worst way possible and it's thirteen years old!

    With all of that stop and go driving I would have my fluid changed probably twice a year!
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Probably the internal seals are hard from age and use. I think you'd better prepare for the worst, but this condition could go on for some time.

    A fluid change and filter (or screen) certainly wouldn't hurt and you could get lucky.

    Whatever you do, DON'T put in any "magic" transmission "tune up". If someone at Jiffy Lube or your local service station suggests it in all good faith, or tries to do it as part of a service, knock the can out of their hand and ask them to step away from the transmission in a loud clear voice.
  • arthur_subarthur_sub Member Posts: 1
    I have a 1992 ECVT 4WD Subaru Justy. I have had it four 5 months and not had any trouble, until today.
    This morning the clutch temperature light started flashing. Then the engine stoped andi could not get it going.

    I took it to my local garage and a fuse had blown.
    Fuse number 2 inside the car (ignition system fuse.

    My car is now running. But the clutch temperature light is still flashing (no it is not beeping).

    Is there anybody who could give me an idea of what might be wrong with my car.

    please email me at arthur_beer@hotmail.com

    thanks 4 anybody how can help me.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Sorry to say this, but those were strange, troubleprone transmissions.

    You might want to get it looked at by someone who REALLY knows these.
  • cab85net1cab85net1 Member Posts: 1
    I recently purchase a 98 Prelude with 25,000 miles with automatic. I recently had a 91 prelude. I am disappointed with the shifting of the transmission when in d3 or d4. If going about 30 miles per hour and I want to quickly accelerate, the transmission down shifts and there is a huge lag before the car accelerates. Is there a fix for this other than manually shifting?
  • shadetree4shadetree4 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 1988 accord automatic trans that aill not shift out of 1st gear until the high idle kicks off.It does this in drive-3 and drive-4.In 2nd gear it functions as it should staying in 2nd.
  • 79377937 Member Posts: 390
    Change the transmission fluid to Honda type. These cars don't like anything else. Get the fluid only from a Honda dealer. Containers of fluid marked "Suitable for Honda" at the local parts store are no good. To change the fluid on these cars is very easy as there is no pan to drop. Just a drain plug and a filler plug with a dipstick.

    Good luck.I hope that's all your car needs.
  • q45manq45man Member Posts: 416
    Check the fluid temperature lock out circuit.....designed to protect till the ATF warms up.
    But any 16 year old tranny may have seen better days or is this already a remanned unit?
  • erawlerawl Member Posts: 1
    I recently purchased a 1997 Ford Escort with 40,000 miles on it and have found that, while the transmission shifts smoothly when the car is first started, it start shifting abruptly after about 10 miles of driving. I changed the transmission fluid, but that didn't seem to help. The previous owner had an accident that dented the front bumper and broke the plastic flanges that hold the grill in place, indicating to me a fairly severe impact. One mechanic suggested that the motor mounts might have been damaged -- could that be causing the problem?
  • don106don106 Member Posts: 4
    1987 Subaru Wagon has power in 4wd, but only to the rear wheels. In 2wd it will roll in Park. Cannot drive it in 2wd. Any ideas, advice appreciated.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Any weird noises?
  • kirbstoykirbstoy Member Posts: 53
    I have been a fan of Mobil-1 synthetic motor oil for many, many years. I recently bought a new Chev. Tahoe LT, 2 WD and have been seriously considering a transmission flush and replacement of the OEM fluid with Mobil-1 ATF. Anyone out there with experience using the synthetic ATF? Thanks !
  • don106don106 Member Posts: 4
    When in 4wd, in the forward gears there's a clicking sound that increases with speed. Sounds similar to a bad cv joint sound, but does it all the time, not just when cornering. In 4wd forward and reverse gears work, Park works as long as vehicle is running. Engine off, no Park. Before this happened there was a shudder when shifting from 1st to 2nd. In 2wd no forward or reverse gears, makes a grinding noise when putting it into Park. In 2wd when it is in gear the spedometer coincides with the speed of the engine even though the car is not moving.
  • q45manq45man Member Posts: 416
    Used Mobil 1 Syn ATF in mine and other Q45 with frequent flushing, pan drops and filter replacement and external cooler - so far the tranny has 201,000 miles. 185k in my car and sold it to a customer who needed one for $500 plus install so far he has had 16,000 miles of trouble free service.

    Lexus LS400 are the tranny champs as we have many customers with +250,000 [a few with 300k] miles using fully synthetic Toyota T4 ATF and frequent flushes.

    Just change the ATF when it loses the bright sparkling red color and goes to washed out reddish/clear. All ATF have temperature sensitive red dyes to warn you!
  • according2meaccording2me Member Posts: 236
    A bit of info before the horror story. Mine is a 2001 4cyl automatic LX model for which Honda had extended the tranny warranty to 100K.

    Knowing about the 6th Gen tranny issues, I've been draining/refilling the tranny fluid every 15-20K and have only used the Honda ATF-Z1 since this Accord first rolled off the dealers lot new in December of 2000.

    Most of my miles are interstate cruising @70mph on mostly flat terrain.

    At 112K my tranny started to leak from the axle seals during an unusual extended cold snap for our area. This fluid had been drained/refilled at 101K previously and at that time the undercarriage was bone dry and no shifting issues were present.

    I immediately drained the fluid and to my shock it was full of metal. Almost immediatedly thereafter, I started noticing shifting irregularities and it threw P1751 (2-3 shift malfunction) and P0740 (TCC lockup failure) codes. Thanks for the codes Autozone.

    I brought it to the local Cottman for the free inspection and they confirmed my fear, worn carrier bearings in the differential and metal through out the transmission. BTW, you need to unweight the front wheels in order to test for this condition. They quoted $2500 for a repair price.

    I called Honda and explained my situation. Because I was outside of the 100K extension I didn't expect much, but thought it would be worth a try. The end result was a Honda supplied remanufactured unit and installation for less than 1/3 of what the dealers normally charge and much less expensive than having Cottman repair the old one.

    I'm disappointed that this tranny failed at this mileage, especially considering the excellent maintenance and the easy (cruising) miles. But I'm also encouraged that Honda seems to believe their product shouldn't fail shortly after the 100K mark and is willing to discount the repair.

    The moral to this story is if you have a 6th Gen auto, you need to have the dealer do an inspection of the differential bearings before you pass the 100K extended warranty limit, even if you experience no transmission issues.
  • kirbstoykirbstoy Member Posts: 53
    Q45man : Thanks for the response. Do you work for a Lexus dealer? I wasn't aware Toyota had a synthetic ATF. My wife has a 2000 Camry. I will ask for the synthetic ATF when I take it in for its annual service next month. It gets damn hot here in Sacramento during the summer and I figure anything you can do to ease the heat's impact on the engine and transmission can only be a good thing. Thanks again.
  • ericnaz1ericnaz1 Member Posts: 6
    I have a 2002 accord V6 coupe that has recently started to make a very loud noise and the whole car shakes when it is shifted from park to reverse on any kind of incline (even a standard driveway). I have been told by the dealer that this is normal and is the pressure on the parking mechanism in the transmission. They have told me to put the car in neutral, apply the parking brake, put the car into park and turn it off. Then start the car up, shift from park to reverse, release the parking brake and back up. I have two questions....1) What kind of damage has been done in the 20,000 miles that I was not following the procedure and 2) How was I supposed to know this procedure if honda does not put it in the owners manual? The dealer has told me no damage was done to this part because it is very strong and can put up with abuse...yet also states if I do not follow this procedure that eventually the transmission will fail. I find it hard to believe that this behavior is normal especially since the car did not behave this way when it was new....any advice is greatly appreciated
  • design786design786 Member Posts: 14
    I have a 1995 BMW M3 with 10K miles on it. I bought it new but rarely drive it. In 2001, the BMW dealer discovered that the Transmission fluid was leeking from the drain plug and tightened it during my yearly oil change. Since then, the leak has been there but hardly noticeable (1 drop in maybe a couple of months). Last December, when I took my car in again for the yearly oil change, I asked the same dealer to look at the drain plug and see if anything can be done. The latest disgnosis is that there is a hairline crack near thhe drain plug. Is it possible that the dealer over-torgued the drain plug in 2001 and cracked my transmission case? Has anybody ever heard of a problem like this? More importantly, any solutions besides a complete new transmission swap?

    Thansk
  • q45manq45man Member Posts: 416
    "Q45man : Thanks for the response. Do you work for a Lexus dealer? I wasn't aware Toyota had a synthetic ATF"

    I work with the largest independent repairer of Lexus and Infinfinti [only brands we work on] between 2 shops we have 8 technicans and our computer records show in excess of 5,000 customers in ATL since 1995.

    Toyota T4 is the synthetic ATF used in Lexus models.

    Most older tranny except Lexus RWD are pretty well done just after 100,000 miles. The Q45 versions after 1993 are now lasting 200,000 miles with coolers and frequent flushing some of the LexusV8 versions are seeing 250-300,000 miles.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    One drop every couple of months is not even worth thinking about much less worrying about.

    The whole story sounds a bit off, so I'd get someone else to look at it when you have the time, if you are curious. If it's cracked it would leak more. Has anyone tried to just seal the plug or replace it?
  • design786design786 Member Posts: 14
    Thank you Mr_Shiftright.

    I have some more information. I had the car raised and transmission drain plug opened. The crack runs about 1/4th the distance into the threads. As the nut is tightened, the crack seems to open up and become more visible. My feeling is that it will only get worst with time. The mechanic has no solution except to replace the transmission. The crack at the moment is not large/deep enough to cause excessive leakage.
Sign In or Register to comment.