Has anybody lost their 2000 auto tranny completely? I am looking at options for when mine dies, which it going to happen in the next couple of weeks probably. I had it looked at last week and according to the symptoms and the SES code, it is probably a seal or two inside the unit. The quote to rebuild it from AAMCO was 1500 plus any hard parts they will need once they crack it open and find out whats going on. Here are my symptoms:

Everyday when the engine is cold (I live in AZ, so its not too cold), the car shifts out of first and it takes a second or two for it to engage second. The same happens on the next shift sometimes, but mostly just 1st-2nd.

The following has happened 2 or 3 times:

The car will require alot of throttle (at least half) to crawl off the line in 1st. This extreme laziness continues until the shift to second, which happens very late. Once out of 1st, the car is fine. Sometimes when this is happening, reverse is lost completely. Once when reverse was not working at all, I was at a stoplight and decided to try to rev it more than I did before. It dropped in violently at about 4000rpm, squealing tires a bit and jolting the car (obviously).

Has anybody experienced this? Also, what do you guys think I should do in terms of a fix. I dont want to have AAMCO take 2 grand from me and fix it, so here are the other options I have found. Please let me know if you have experience in replacing trannys and who you went to etc.

I can get a rebuilt unit for 850 after the core refund. I assume I can't replace it on my own, and I don't know how much labor I would pay a tech to do it. I can also get a used unit from a totalled car for 550. This unit has 117000 miles, which is 5k more than mine. At this point, I think the best option is the rebuilt unit.

What do you guys think?

 

try dropping the tranny pan... and do a fluid flush..

and give the pan a good cleaning

check for metal shavings... if there are a good amount of shavings, most likely the tranny is gone..

if not, there might be hope.. might just need to replace a faulty part... the tcm (?) that affects the solenoids... it seems to be a common problem on the autos... also get the codes pulled, it might give you some clues.

good luck.

btw, how many miles on it? did you do regular fluid changes? how did you treat it?

 

I've been told by AAMCO its a time bomb, and I accept that. I am mostly cocerned with replacing it at the least cost. As much as I would love to clean the pan and flush it, I know thats not going to do anything. The damage is done. I push my max to the limit almost every day. I knew this would happen sooner or later, and now it has. Any insight on replacement?

 

it is going to cost you money no matter what you do. You can check the selenoids (replace).

 

What do the solenoids do/what symptoms would they potentially fix. Also, does anybody know how much they are and if I can change them myself?

Once again, I am 99% sure the tranny is dead, so I am looking for insight from people who have had to change it completely. How did you do it and how much did it cost?

 

My trans is startin to do the same right now.. Not to long ago it wouldn't downshift to first when at a stop light.. So i would start in second.. Also while i was in park or neutral i could rev the car and it would try to take off on me..

 

Hey:

One thing to consider before tearing apart your tranny.

A failing MAF will often make the tranny not shift correctly and make it seem that the tranny is going when it really isn't.

Many have had this happen, and it just happened to my brother's 2000 I30. Even the Nissan tech who drove with him told him the tranny was bad, when it turned out to be the MAF. Replaced the MAF and the tranny was as good as new!

If you have a 2000, and over 50K, think about replacing the MAF for $100.00 since they often go bad.

 

I replaced my MAF about 20,000 miles ago but that might be worth a try. They are only 70 bucks after all.

Keep in mind, though, that my ECU is throwing a tranny SES code.

 

The solenoids are relatively easy to change. You have to drop the tranny pan and the valve body. I think the solenoids are around $150. You should replace the TCM as well. I'm not sure how much that is, but its a pretty easy fix too.

This should solve your sluggish shifting issues from 1st to 2nd. As far as the other issues it may help, but I can't say for sure.

 

It sounds like it's time. If you go with a rebuild make sure you have a good warranty in writing. Aamco doesn't have a great reputation. You might want to look for a good independent shop. Personally I'd take a good used OEM trans over a non-OEM rebuilt unit (but with less than 117K). The rebuilds often just don't hold up all that well due to cheap rebuilt kits and poorly trained rebuilders. Expect the rebuild to cost you $2K in the end.

 

1500 plus rebuild... f that.. you can find a newly rebuilt one for 800 dollars and have installed for another 400 or soo.