100,000 miles MileStone, and a whole set of new problems...

[Jager]

Well, good news first. My EX made it to 100,000 miles!

Bad news..

The tranny jerks BAD when going from park to reverse. Takes 20 seconds to catch the gear, and when it does, it SLAMS. Same issue when going from 3rd to 4th gear.

Took it to the dealership, and ofcourse, without bothering to open the tranny, they say the issue is solely the transmission solenoid pack. $1,100 for parts and labor.

Does that seem fair, anyone else have the same issue? Now, I have to get it fixed soon because its getting worse every day. The more I drive, the harder the gears change, and the more they slip.

What do you guys suggest I do? I've had the car for ~10,000 miles, and as far as I know, the previous barely maintained the car. Would a simple tranny flush and filter replacement suffice?

 

[fr0st m0nkey]

Well, good news first. My EX made it to 100,000 miles!

Bad news..

The tranny jerks BAD when going from park to reverse. Takes 20 seconds to catch the gear, and when it does, it SLAMS. Same issue when going from 3rd to 4th gear.

Took it to the dealership, and ofcourse, without bothering to open the tranny, they say the issue is solely the transmission solenoid pack. $1,100 for parts and labor.

Does that seem fair, anyone else have the same issue? Now, I have to get it fixed soon because its getting worse every day. The more I drive, the harder the gears change, and the more they slip.

What do you guys suggest I do? I've had the car for ~10,000 miles, and as far as I know, the previous barely maintained the car. Would a simple tranny flush and filter replacement suffice?

You're due for a tranny flush anyway so put some nice synthetic oil in there and see if it helps. I don't know much about explorers, but everyone went nuts for royal purple when i was in the jeep community. Let me know if it helps because mine hesitates and jerks as well.

 

[thepotroast]

If your solenoid pack is shot (which is what it sounds like anyway), no amount of synthetic liquid is going to fix a 20 second shift delay...

I would get a second opinion at a transmission shop, somebody like Cottman or AAMCO who specializes in transmission repairs, and who can give you a lower quote than the stealership.

 

[clarks2001]

If you are brave enough, you could replace your solenoid pack yourself. Here is a post I came across on how its done (with pics too)
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164055
And you can buy a reman one from here for cheap. It has a 5 year warranty too
http://www.800700tran.com/prod.itml/icOid/159

 

[BajaXplorer]

AAMCO= All Automatics Must Come Out..

 

[Jager]

Ohh I'm so excited! I love shelling out couple thousand dollars!

 

[zerodevil]

WHAT?!?! 1100 BUCKS!?!?! I had mine done at a local trans shop for $466 parts and labor... you need to get another dealership!!

 

[Got2bneo]

dont go to the stealership. they rip you off even if its under warranty still. take it to a nice tranny shop.

 

[Explorer Junky]

NO NO NO FLUSH!!! I hear it can cause more problems than its worth! Just drop the pan and change the filter and fluid. Also, put a product like Seafoam's Tranny cleaner in there to remove varnish. Will be fine. And question...Why do people continue to take vehicles to the dealerships when they are off of warranty? RIP OFF!! Then if that doesn't work you only spent 50-60 bucks and THEN take it to a local trusted mechanic and get his opinion. My mechanic only charges 20 bucks if he just looks at it and I fix it. OR if he fixes it he only charges for repair. and he is about 50-60 bucks an hour cheaper than dealership!

 

[Jager]

I have a mechanic. Awesome and trustworthy. He said he wanted $90 to just look at it, and the dealership charges $100 for a full diagnostic, thats why i took it there. I just wanted a printed report from them, and was going to take it to my mechanic. I was just surprised at how much a dealership will charge, however, i haven't asked my mechanic yet, so idk how much he'll charge.

 

[thepotroast]

Ohh I'm so excited! I love shelling out couple thousand dollars!

Only if you go to the stealership....

Use a transmission shop.

 

[Rofocowboy84]

The shop I took it to quoted me around $3k......I'll have to keep looking around for less, lol....

 

[Jager]

I did the transmission service today. My fluid was completely black, and smelled "burnt". The new fluid helped, actually didn't notice any issues with shifting, but we'll see how long this lasts, or if its just a temporary solution, as we did find metal "dust" in the fluid, probably from grinding and what not.

 

[ajthefishermen]

My whole tranny needed to be rebuilt at around 116,000 2nd, 3rd, and 5th gear weren't working at all it would slam into them. We got many quotes 3,650 to get a brand new one at the dealer and 2650 for a rebuilt one at a well known shop damn it was expensive but we sprung for rebuilding i know have about 15,000 and everythings running smoothly on it. So before it gets worse like mine because i just ignored it go fix it.:exporange

 

[zerodevil]

is that 3600 installed? my level 10 bulletproof trans built from scratch is only going to cost me 3100 bucks and a little more for my custom stalled t/q converter....dealerships are called stealerships fora reason...