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VZ SV6 '04 - Transmission Problems

morphix

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Hi guys,

As some may or may not be aware, around 2 months ago, my cars 5-speed automatic transmission played up.

It started out as the transmission slipping, more so when taking off.

Then it got worse where a horrible grinding noise was coming from the transmission and the car was slipping more and more.

It then progressed further to the point where when it would drive, it would be revving so high just to get a slow speed and one day i stopped dead in the middle of an intersection trying to move the car, it eventually moved and i managed to limp home.

The day after this however, i parked at work, i could not reverse the car at all, it would just rev out and neutral and park acted as if it was drive.

Ultratune mechanic at Argenton determined the transmission needed replacing as it would cost too much to fix.

Unfortunately i did not have the funds available for this, so its been sitting in the driveway for 2 months.

Trying to keep the engine ok and such i would start the car and it would have a grinding wind come from the transmission but the car would atleast drive up the street (500m) and back before it would slip and not go back into any gear.

I've finally obtained the money, but now contacted another mechanic for a second opinion in case it was something less major.

He stated that there were no shards or otherwise in the transmission, and that a simple service on the transmission would fix it, as the fluid was black.

He charged me roughly $1600 for a transmission and engine service (180,000km service).

The same night after it was fixed, i was driving back home and was going up a hill, i noticed the transmission was slow going into gear and then made the slight grind noise it previously made.

That noise went away and the car from then drove what appeared to be.. sluggish.

I contacted the mechanic to let him know and he said he would come out the next morning.

When i got home, i had dinner did a few things then had to go to the shops, and this time when i got back into the car, i was getting a Check Powertrain light and the car seemed to be worse.

The mechanic came out the next morning, checked it over and said its all ok.

My girlfriend used my car to go to a doctors appointment over at Warners Bay and called me up during the day saying the now won't go into reverse and throwing the check powertrain light again.

I again, called the mechanic and got the car over to his workshop to investigate at around 6PM.

He said he would look at it and then contact me tomorrow.

I called him today, he now advises that when he has dropped the pan, the previous black fluid has returned, he then stated they will give it a full flush which was not done before and see if this fixes it.

He then advised if its something else, he will have to charge me more.

I stated to him, that i originally budgeted on the initial diagnoses that it was stuffed and getting it replaced, but due to his advising of it being fine and he could fix it, went down his path.

I am not sure if i should try and continue with him, or what i should do, i just dont want to fork out more money if i could have paid the intial amount given by ultratune and got a reconditioned transmission from Holden.

Any suggestions guys?
 

Slipper

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woh woh woh woh woh, $1600 for a engine and transmission service.... and he didnt even do a full flush of the fluid!!!!!!!!!!!!
sorry mate but by the sounds of it your auto is gone, the lifespan on the 5 speeds is unfortunately not very long (mine got to just under 90k), take it to an auto specialist, they can be rebuilt and you may be lucky in getting it for less than a brand new transmission
 

morphix

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Hmm, he has called back stating the radiator is blocked, so thats why the transmission is playing up as the radiator is receiving the trans fluid to cooler, but not flowing it through correctly and the trans is choking from low fluid.

How much is a new radiator worth for a vz sv6?
 

Mohi

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Hi guys,


He charged me roughly $1600 for a transmission and engine service (180,000km service).

He is just ripping you off, I got the same trouble with mine ,had the tranny flushed and serviced with new gaskit for $108 and was told my tranny is on its way and he quoted me $1550 for a total rebuild...
Mate,,, would reckon.. try different joints before forking out this much amt of money
 

morphix

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Called a parts place up the road from where i lived when my old cars alternator died and getting a new radiator for $220 and only an hour labour to put in.
 

Slipper

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i'd be getting into him to for why hes charging you twice as much as he should for the two services
 

morphix

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Yeh, i'll find out the go tomorrow.

I'm about ready to set fire to the car though.
 

Hotblack

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woh woh woh woh woh, $1600 for a engine and transmission service.... and he didnt even do a full flush of the fluid!!!!!!!!!!!!
sorry mate but by the sounds of it your auto is gone, the lifespan on the 5 speeds is unfortunately not very long (mine got to just under 90k), take it to an auto specialist, they can be rebuilt and you may be lucky in getting it for less than a brand new transmission

don't know about anyone else but my 5 speed has just clicked over 170k and has not missed a beat.
 

bigdaddycool

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Considering there is nothing concrete, i would actually point towards a electrical fault of some sort more so. Perhaps you should take it to holden and have them check the computers and electricals for faults and mention what the transmission is doing.

One things for sure, a service doesn't fix that sort of stuff. Either you have an electrical fault interfering with the TCU, the TCU itself is wiped or dead and needs replacing or your transmission is simply had it and needs replacing.

Radiator does make sense but if it were me, i'd be taking it directly to holden who 'know the car' to have them check it out. I've taken mine to Village Motors for example to have all the computers updated in the car.

If they say radiator, your safe, if not....... that guy ripped you off big time.
 

morphix

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Well yet another update in my problems.

Got the car back after he did the radiator, the transmission appears fine now.

Last night once i got back from work, did some paperwork and then went to go back out shopping, the car wouldn't start.

When placing the keys in the ignition and turning it, it would not even attempt to turn over, it just comes up on the dash, Fuel Guage Error - Contact Dealer, then Very Low Fuel warning then Service Vehicle Soon.

After trying over and over to get it started, i ended up pulling the battery terminals off and back on and then the car would start.

The first time it started after doing this, the engine started normal, then reved down heaps as if it was going to stall, then it went normal, but the dash instantly give a Check Powertrain warning, no more Fuel Guage Error or Service Vehicle Soon message.

I decided to turn it off and try again, this time it started all fine but the Check Powertrain warning still came up.

Took it for a little drive after this to see if it was going ok, all appeared ok (from what i can tell).

Drove the car back home and this morning the Check Powertrain doesn't come up anymore.

...This car is getting weirder as it goes.

I've gone to another mechanics who has a computer to run diagnostics on it, but they are booked out till Next Week.

The original mechanic is coming over to check the car after 2PM today.

Could this at all be related to the O2 Sensors or?

After forking out a loan to get my car fixed, i don't want to wasting money where it shouldn't be getting wasted.

I NEED this car for my 2nd job, and so far its been 2 months without it and is starting to really P*** me off.
 
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