Auto Repair Articles

Question:

I let my son change the oil in my 2007 ford explorer and he started to take out the transmission fluid instead! where do I put the fluid back in and is it difficult?

Answer:

Unfortunately the fluid is pushed in through the small torx plug that is inside the larger hex plug on the pan. You fill it until the fluid comes out as a thin steady stream with the trans between 80 - 100 degrees.

Recall ID # 06V341000 - POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Recall Date:SEP 07, 2006

Model Affected:2007 JEEP LIBERTY

Summary:

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMMED INTO THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE CAN CAUSE A MOMENTARY LOCK UP OF THE DRIVE WHEELS IF THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING OVER 40 MPH AND THE OPERATOR SHIFTS FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL AND BACK TO DRIVE.

Consequence:

IF THE DRIVE WHEELS LOCKED UP, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy:

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 2, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Potential Units Affected:2333

Notes:DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION F43

Question:

I have a 1983 Nissan 280ZX coupe, automatic with digital speedometer. The speedometer does not register correctly and bounces up and down. I don”t know if the speedometer was changed before I bought the car. The speedometer cable is hooked directly to the speedometer. I have gotten some information, on line, that there is supposed to be a pulse generator by the battery which the cable is supposed to hook up to. I can”t find anything that might look like this around the battery, don”t really know what it is supposed to look like. Nothing with wires going to the dash. Also it does not have a digital climate control. I need to find out if the speedometer has been changed, so that I can get it fixed properly. I live close to Las Vegas, so can go there if anybody knows a reliable repair person.

Answer:

On the early speedo the cable hooked directly to the speedometer head the pulse generator is built in . I think you need a new speedometer head and cable. this is a rare set up it could be hard to find parts.

Question: 

I have a 2004 Hyundai Elantra. Is it possible to adjust the clutch?

Answer:

There are no adjustments. If the clutch is not working properly, you will need to have it replaced.

The Clutch Is Operating Properly If:

• It will stall the engine when released with the vehicle held stationary
• The shift lever can be moved freely between 1st and reverse gears when the vehicle is stationary and the clutch disengaged

Question:

I have a 02 Ford Focus and the transmission has trouble shifting gears (not engaging all the time) I brought the fluid level up and now the check engine light is on and the problem has gotten worse. I get an OBD-2 code P 0750 Shift solenoid A malfunction. Am I looking at a major repair here?

Answer:

If you consider $500.00 a major repair , then YES. You should be able to have the solenoids replaced inside of one day at your local transmission shop for around $500.00. These are common failure parts.
 

Question:

I have a 1997 Mercury Villager, I have replaced the speed sensor, because the speedometer, and odometer didn”t work, but it still will not shift out of 1st gear. I took it for diagnostics and the ford dealer, they said that there is nothing wrong with the transmission, all they would say was there are 2 shorts somewhere. I took it to Auto Zone, they put there code machine on it and said it needed a throttle control sensor, I put that on and it still will not shift. Any ideas???? 

Answer:

When you wind it up high in first gear, say 3000 rpm, is there strong engine braking when you let off the gas?

The shop manual does not show a no 1-2 shift being caused by anything electrical.

• No 1-2 Shift

  2-4 band.

  INSPECT/REPLACE 2-4 band.

Question:

I bought a 1995 Saturn with a single overhead cam engine and 130,000 miles very clean. The rebuild transmission in it started showing problems in the first month and I had it flushed which didn’t work. My friend sold me one out of a 1996 single cam with 80,000 miles that he thought worked fine when it was parked and used for parts for a year and a half ago. The fluid was red and smelled fine with a newer spin on filter, so I took a chance. I used the torque converter that came in my rebuilt because it was blue (a sign of a rebuild?). I installed the used transmission with a good quality Dextron 111 fluid now this trans shifts very hard, at 3/4 throttle it chirps 2nd gear and gets a little more live-able with each progressive gear. I added trans X cleaner and drove it for ten miles to no avail . I still have the old trans which shifted OK and took out the solenoids and valve body last night to see if I might be able to exchange them which would be on today’s menu except I want to know if there is anything else it could be.

Answer:

You should be able to have the transmission computer re-programmed so that the shift points are more to your liking. A trans shop or dealer should have the ability ( the tool ) to be able to do this for you. As it is electronic shift.

Question:

I have a 2000 mustang with the 3.8v6 and 5 speed trans. It is making a popping noise from the transmission while in reverse. It is a continueus popping not just a single pop. What could be the problem?

Answer:

If you are certain it is not the front U-Joint, then you definitely have internal damage in the transmission. You may have a damaged Idler gear or synchronizer.

Reverse gear is handled by a small idler gear (purple). At all times, the blue reverse gear in this diagram is turning in a direction opposite to all of the other blue gears. Therefore, it would be impossible to throw the transmission into reverse while the car is moving forward — the dog teeth would never engage. However, they will make a lot of noise! Continue Reading »

Question:
I have a 2003 saturn vue, works great, but once the transmission becomes warmed up,and you turn the vechicle off,it will not move in drive after restarting. but works great when cold. have any idea what may cause this.

Answer:
Sounds to me like the Electronic shift solenoids are hanging up and need to be replaced. There are lots of issues being reported on the transmissions of the Saturn vue but there is no mention of a recall. You may want to contact your local dealers service department with the VIN# and verify this before having any repairs done.