Chevrolet Corvette Transmission Problems

vetteunderdog

Thanks, kneargarder. This is extremely helpful. While it will be a few days before I can pursue your suggestions, I'll let you know what shakes out.

esharpe

Kneargarder, I am sending my Lemon Law tomorrow, car purchased in Florida and assembled in Bowling Green. I am told the address for Lemon Law would be
General Motors Corporation PO Box 33170 Detroit MI 48232-5170, I have called the 800's and one person located in the Phillipines and another had no idea where GM Manfacturer is located for my car, even gave the vin #. Talk about sky rocketed blood pressure.

vcheng

Aren't ALL Corvettes presently made in the GM plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky?

bolivar

Bowling Green. Changed from St. Louis in middle of model year 1981.

What does where the car was built have to do with Lemon Lawing a car?

Also, Lemon Laws are specific by state (where you bought the car).
And, only NEW cars are covered by a Lemon Law.

Don't know if this means anything, but just some general info.

vetteunderdog

Just checking to see if you are still satisfied with the transmission repairs to address your downshifting delays per GM bulletin PIP4395E? I pushed the service guy I've used over the years to do the repair on my vette, and he is reticent to do so -- asked me to take it to another dealership for a second opinion. Because I have had a good relationship with the service manager, I am inclined to do what he's asked before escalating the issue to GM Customer Service. However, if you've found that the repair is not still working for you, I may save myself the effort and aggravation.

Thanks for your help and advice so far.

kneargarder

I think it is decidedly better but I am not certain it is 100%. I noticed a slight jerk the other night but nothing near as bad as what it was before. I still need to drive more in certain situations to give a thorough review. I only drive the car 2 or 3 times a week depending on the weather. I will definitely report back when I have more info and I will try to get it out in the situations where it was the worse before to see how it is doing now.

vetteunderdog

Thanks, kneargarder. Your observations and feedback will be greatly appreciated.

esharpe

My problem is very hard shifting at low speed, between 5 and 11 mph when I have slowed for traffic, red light, speed bump or parking lot manuvers, transmission hits very hard and really rough jolt and this is with normal acceleration, not agressive. I have looked on line for similar problems through GM Bulletins and yes they do exist and when I go to a dealership the statement is, "Can't seem to duplicate what you are saying", but yet bulletins are posted on line with Corvette Trans Problems and cited are; PIP 4395 and 4112 and 4304 and many more, so why does it seem no one can duplicate the problem I am having. Someone must have these problems, I found them on line with GM Bulletins attached.
My Lemon Law Claim # 718256378. I have not been able to enjoy my car since I bought it and now it seems since I have a problem and can even read my exact problems as outlined in GM publications.
Need help, Ed.

kneargarder

All.

Although like I said earlier, after the service was performed on my car as outlined by the bulletin it is decidedly better, it still is not good. Definitely not what a $50k+ car should be like, or really any car for that matter. The transmission still has issues, mainly at low speeds and after/during downshifting. I am going to get back with the customer service person I worked with before and the dealer to see what can be done. I will keep all of you posted.

vetteunderdog

Well, I guess if there's any consolation about this, it's that I'm not the only one experiencing these problems -- and as a guy who has been driving vettes since '96, this is really disappointing.

gmcustsvc

Hello Ed,
I can understand that you are very frustrated with the situation. I apologize but because you have a lemon law claim your concerns must be handled through their processes. They have or will assign an agent to your case and you will have to work with them to resolve the issue. Again, I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service

esharpe

Mog8
I currently have attempted Lemon Law, had a rep. from GM come down to Deland Florida, while the GM tech was driving my car with the mechanic, the GM Rep very nicely told me, we (GM) are not going to buy back your car and this was while the Tech and Mechanic were test driving the car, then he said, of course when they return if a transmission is needed we will do what ever is necessary. When the Tech and Mechanic returned, of course, could not duplicate anything and we did make some "line pressure adjustments" why of course would they have done that, remember, they could not duplicate my problem. I need strenght in numbers to go to Florida Attorney General in person and get the results of all these transmission issues, or are we all wrong, for $59,5K I feel as though I have made a mistake. We need to get together in person in the office of someone who can make a difference, of course look at Toyota, they are helping all their problem vehicle owners while GM is pushing back all these transmission issues and saying, this is normal. No guys, this is "Bull". esharpe

Mr_Shiftright

How come you didn't go with the tech and point out the problem?

esharpe

I did, you have them ride with you and point it out and then they drive and can not duplicate. You know the drill, you try hard to make the problem show up, watch the speed where it is between 1st & 2d shifting, but when you are making an effort to make it happen, you just don't seem to feel it, you are not your normal driving, you want to make sure it does happen and not feel as though you are making something happen. After a repair on the rear axle, then a replacement of rear axle, new seals in transmission and then you still have the problem, and no one seems to feel what you are feeling, computer does not read any problem, but yet the service tech makes adjustments to a problem they can not duplicate or don't feel. I honestly give up, I just have had it with the transmission, was told this one in my car is better than most and if they did something like replace it, can not guarentee it would be better than the one I have.

Mr_Shiftright

I see. Yes, your explanation makes sense. Since we spend all days with our cars we are probably much more in tune to their problems than a first-timer unless the situation was pretty obvious. Also at some (not all) dealerships, the personnel are trained to be selectively deaf. I hope at least they treated you with respect and didn't act like you were crazy or a crank.

kneargarder

Mariah,

Do you know of any new information and/or bulletins on this issue? I have a current case # 71-814153843 and had some service done as outlined by bulletin PIP4395E and at first I thought it helped BUT the transmission is still very bad. It is horrible/sloppy at low speeds and during downshifting. I am so frustrated by this and really embarrassed to let anyone ride in the car with me. People must think I am an idiot to spend $50k+ on a car that performs like this. Please, any assistance would be appreciated. I really need to get this fixed no matter what it takes.

Thanks,
Keith

vetteunderdog

For what it's worth, other than the fact that my dealer simply refuses to do anything about it, my experience is the same as kneargarder.

gmcustsvc

Hello Keith,
I apologize that you are still having a concern with your vehicle. Have you taken the vehicle to another dealership for a second opinion? How long after the repairs did the problem reoccur? Did you tell the dealership that you are still experiencing the problem? I am familiar with the bulletin, but I cannot say for certain that it does apply to your vehicle because I am not a mechanic. What I can do is open another case for you and see if we can diagnose the problem. You can get my email by clicking on gmcustsvc, and please let me know if you would like another case to be set up for you. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service

johnxyz

I've read complaints by owners of new Corvettes regarding design problems with the manual transmissions. Is the Corvette unique in design in that the transmission is incorporatd in the transaxle with the differential as opposed to a Camero whereby the transmission is forward of the differential (near the engine) and is connected by a traditional driveshaft?

Do I have any of this right? Just wondering if the Camero could experience the same problems with the transmission that some current Corvettes have. Thanks.

bhill2

I have a 2003 ('vert, i.e. not a Z06) with a manual. Every since it was close to new, it has been necessary to hold the shifter as you let the clutch out in reverse or it would pop out. The shifter would give a little kick, and reverse would engage and operate normally. I assumed that it was a linkage adjustment, but the dealer said they couldn't do anything (surprise, surprise). Well, I think that this problem escalated. Now, even once it is in gear it will pop back out after I have backed up a few feet. If I hold the shifter as I back up it kicks and goes back into gear. It acts like a chipped tooth or some such. My question is, any ideas what it is, if it will continue to get worse, and what I am looking at to get it fixed (wait, before you tell me let me get my heart pills...OK, go ahead).

bolivar

What problems are you hear about C6 Corvette manuals?

I read corvette forums a lot and hear very little about problems.

Now there are a few instances like the poster after yours, but not a lot.

And, I'm not a tranny mechanic, but I think his tranny is going to have to be opened up for repair.

johnxyz

The 100 + posts above, for instance. If these instances of Corvette 6 sp manual problems are isolated and an aberration, so be it. Just concerned though, before I pull the trigger on a new Camero or used C6. Any real world experiences/examples one way or the other appreciated. Thanks.

ayie

hi,guys need your advise.i brought my 95 vette to a dealership for a transmision oil change it only have 31.000 miles.when i got the car back and drove away i notice the there is something wrong.the transmisiion is not shifting to 3rd gear when im driving in the hi-way.should i bring the car back and let them check whats wrong with it.maybe they did something?.need advise.thanks ayie

mikemoore2

auto transmission wont shift into 3rd or 4th gear, 1st and 2nd are good

powell4665

Does anybody have an idea of why an 88 automatic would hesitate at take off? I'm thinking it might be a transmission problem but not sure. A guy wants to sell me his but said this happens. Don't want to spend a fortune to fix an inexpensive car.