VZ SV6 '04 - Transmission Problems
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?
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
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?
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...Originally Posted by morphix
Mate,,, would reckon.. try different joints before forking out this much amt of money
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.
i'd be getting into him to for why hes charging you twice as much as he should for the two services
Yeh, i'll find out the go tomorrow.
I'm about ready to set fire to the car though.
don't know about anyone else but my 5 speed has just clicked over 170k and has not missed a beat.
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.
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2009 VE SS SILVER SEDAN - Twin Amps... Tune in progress (more for response and power) then outright KW on a dyno
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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.
JESUS H KEYRIST!!!!! $1600 for a tranny service and engine service?????
I've confirmed that the $1600 amount was for:
Full Engine Service, replace of Fuel Filter, Air Filter, etc
Transmission Service
Replace of 2 spit hoses + labour
Replacement of Emission hose (i supplied) labour
Replace of Starter Motor + labour
Replace of Drive Belt + labour
There are a few more things the guy did do.
I can tell you, i won't be going back to this bloke.
I count $1000 for that list.
My girlfriend has just called me stating the car has had some troubles trying to start again today.
Does anyone have any idea what on earth this problem could now be related to?
I'm thinking about calling 1 of the local Holden dealers and seeing if i can get them to diagnose it on the computer sometime over the weekend.
Does anyone know how much Holden will charge for diagnosis?
pretty sure its in the realm of 80-100 just to diagnose it (i.e. hook it up and scan) could be more if it takes them a while, holden might be your best bet
Well my girlfriend just met me at work for a sec, she parked the car for 10-15 mins, then tried starting it again and now its got the previous Fuel Gauge Error, Service Vehicle Soon, etc.
Had to pull both terminals off for a bit, then put them back and lock and unlock the car and then it started back up again, albeit with a Check Powertrain error on dash again.
God i hate cars... I'll wait for an update from the mechanic.
Such a pain in the arse that all this is happening while i'm at work, so i can't actually talk to the mechanic directly about it.
Yesterday arvo, the car again would not start, the mechanic came out and said the key head needed to be replaced.
So we got it replaced a Mr Minit and still the car wouldn't start.
NRMA came out and hooked up an instrument and then stated it was a problem with the Ignition Switch causing issues with the starter motor.... hmmm
morphix.
Sounds like you need a new mechanic. The amount of money you've wasted on this bloke you could have gone to Holden & left with change.
(02) 4920 8000 and ask for Scott Mewburn @ Gateshead Holden (now Pacific Holden). I think that's up your neck of the woods.
He's the Service Manager up there now & used to look after my VZ when he ran the Heartland workshop in Western Sydney.
Get some advice from him. He's always been fair dinkum with me & won't blow smoke up your rectum.
I'll have to wait till Monday to call there and anywhere, seems everywhere is closed mechanic wise over the weekends, yay to more time without the car.
This mechanic i've been dealing with seems like a wanker, he's had no diagnostic tools neither... seems really unequipped.
Just had NRMA out for about 45 mins, after much messing around and testing and using scantool, he's concluded its to do with the ECU.
seriously sounds like that mechanic has given you the run around, hope you get it sorted
And then after you get it sorted out ... trek off to Dept of Fair Trading
Resolving issues - NSW Office of Fair Trading
if your 'former' mechanic won't give you a reasonable refund for his lack of knowledge & poor service.
Well, auto electrician got back to me this afternoon stating he can't do anything as the Security System has locked everything out, hence why getting these random problems coming up.
Advised i need to get it to Holden to look at as they are the only ones who have access to the Security System.
Now i need to see if NRMA will towe my car from the Auto Electrician to Holden without charging me so might take Trent L suggestion, and contact Pacific Holden and speak with them i guess.
I am closer to Kelly Holden at Cardiff, so not sure what i should do, i just don't want to get ripped off.
Nil Bastardo Carborundum
Take Trent's other advice too. This guy has taken you to the cleaners and you need to speak to Fair Trading. His "repairs" have achieved nothing and have cost you heaps. I would think he owes you a substantial refund as he has not repaired the original problem and appears to have left you with additional new ones.
Name and shame might be in order too.
Hey Morphix ... take it where you choose. I think you're only option now is a dealer.
I only suggested Pacific Holden because of my personal dealings with Scotty. He was always down to earth with me & never blew smoke up my arse.
I'll actually be retiring up to Toronto overlooking Lake Macquarie (not soon enough) and that's where I'll be taking my Calais to get the book stamped. It'll also be going up there if anything drastic happens in the mean time.
Good luck with it.
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