transmission problems

[izmir41500]

my gf's 1998 toyota automatic transmission is messin up. when you gas it, it lags and revs, then launches with a jerk. the other gears are the same too just not as bad. she's got 120k+ on the odo.

fluid levels are ok and recently changed.

[FireEater]

might not be transmisson. might just be bad dogbone.

[izmir41500]

what exactly do the dogbones do?

[Quicksilver300]

What the transmission fluid look like? might be a clue. Should be red and not smell burnt.

[izmir41500]

transmission fluid is good. redish color and doesn't smell.

[wahed3001]

did the symptoms occur before or after the fluid change?

[izmir41500]

this problem is wierd. i'd say it started a month ago. fluids were changed awhile before this started happening so i don't think that their the culprit. coolant was low so i added some yesterday.

i reset the ecu by disconnecting the battery and holding the brake pedal down. it fixed the problem for about 10 minutes. idleing wasn't a problem nor was launching, but then shifts between gears lagged.

[izmir41500]

aamco says both axles are leaking and they need to pull the tranny to see if there's internal damage? how much should this cost?

[Quicksilver300]

I cant give an estimate, but if you know any other mechanics, get a few quotes, especially if they say it's free. I would ask how much a tranny rebuild would cost. The axle seals aren't really even the issue, unless they're leaking so bad that your fluid level is low. you get me? That's like if your compression was bad and they tell you your oil pan is leaking.....worthless. I mean heck if they pull your tranny, you're basically stuck with them. Theyre gonna say well such and such is wrong and it's gonna cost.....said amount as your tranny sits on the floor all apart. So take it to someone you trust. Shop around for a transmission rebuild, but don't necessarily go for the cheapest, use some common sense, but remember use as many resources as you can. Coming here is one of them, good move

edit; Maybe not shop for a rebuild only, if you can get a diagnostic check for cheap or free from other places do it. You might in fact have the best luck at a toyota dealership. Tell them you just want to know what is wrong but dont do anything unless I give the ok. That way you get the best people to find the problem and then shop around for the best price to fix the problem.

[Toyotanut]

was there any improvement with the shifting after the fluid was changed? If so i would say have it professionally power flushed. that gets all of the gunk out . I did it with mine with 80k on it and it shifts like it was when new....

[izmir41500]

thanks for the replies. i'm picking up the car tomorrow and taking it to another place for a second opinion. i was not going to rush into things.

the mechanic at aamco said they refilled the fluid (4 qts.) and reproduced the problem. "the axles are leaking profusely" he said. and then he quoted me how much it would cost to fix. and said that they had to pull i out, take it apart, and then see what else is wrong mechanically...

hopefully it's just some axle seals. i would figure i would see a big puddle under the car from leaking fluid. there has been smoke that smells like burnt rubber coming from the engine bay that i haven't been able to locate. maybe it's leaking and burning off.