DarkBlue

Okay...

Most of you know about my t-bone from last year. Since then I have replaced the driverside doors, fender, airbags, and was going to the paint shop. I have been driving her every couple of weeks (what a blast! ).

Last week, my MIL and TCS lights come on and I'm like ! I didn't panic, searched a few threads and determined that it may be the plugs, two were fouled.

On my way to get plugs, the car starts slipping, but NO light blink. From a stop, I accelerate, and again it slips. I pull over, park, and start smelling trany fluid. Damn... She starts bleeding like a stuck pig. I find out that the upper hose has chaffed against the battery tray (better check yours...).

I replace the line, get some honda atf ($5 per) and tools (1/2 breaker bar and 10" ext.), fill up the tranny and check the levels. The car is hesitant to go in gear but does and I decide on a test drive. I'm on an incline (15 deg?) and the car starts to roll backwards. I give it some gas, it revs to like 5k then engages. I let off the gas, it rolls back, I give it gas, then BAMM!!!. I jerks, little wheel spin, then TCS, CEL, light up and D4 starts blinking. Fortunately, I'm two blocks from home.
When I get there the shifter wont move past neutral. I shut the car off, and I manage to get it in park.

Now my ride is a '99 w/ 128,5xx on it. I don't know if its the original tranny or not. My ride is a salvage and therefore not eligible for anything but giggles and guffaws .

Now my question...
Should I look for a used tranny or get 'er rebuilt at a shop?
I would appreciate any input from those that have been through this before but serious thoughts are welcome.

And I thought I was in the home free.

Stupid Tranny...If it had an ass, I would kick it...No wait...that would be me :shakehead .

fsttyms1

id get it rebuilt

DarkBlue

What would it cost? Is Aamco any good?

fsttyms1

All depends on the shop. The guys at our aamco are good guys and do a good job. cost wise also depending on the shop. any where from 2000 to 4000

SodaLuvr

Rebuilt unit (indepenent) for around $2300...then another $600 or so to install.

Better than rebuilding your own. Will give you the link tomorrow.

wmah523

wouldn't used tranny b cheaper? iono...im noob at this n i wanna learn

fsttyms1

And have a tranny with the old used parts that will most likely fail, yes it will be cheaper but not in the long run

joe80055

aftermarket warranty! That's what I got.. only cost me around 2k, i'm covered until 190k, got my car at 119k. I don't even know if it's the original or not.

georgy_d28

i dont know if this will help but my friends accord did that and as long as you were pushing the car real hard it would work just find but as soon as you let up it would want to stall...basically he couldnt move it out of park, into it, and it was slipping. it was low on trans fluid. it was fine after filling but after driving it was low again so i would check that again first if i were you

DarkBlue

I'll recheck that, thanks for the tip! I'll let u know what happens

SodaLuvr

As promised, I checked around for you for remanufactured transmissions.

Of all this ones I came across, if you decide to take the remanufactured route, a remanufactured unit from www.certifiedtransmissions.com seems to be the best way to go in terms of the technology of their remanufacturing facilities, but their standard warranty is only 1-yr/12,000 miles. www.rebuilttransmissions.com seems to be a good bet as well, as they offer a 3-yr/75,000 mile warranty standard, but I'll have to give 'em a call for a quote.

The cost breakdown from Certified Transmissions is the following:

Unique Part ID: C20577308

$2094.00- Unit
$800- Core Deposit
$230- Shipping (to cover cost of delivery and return of the core)

Total, after core return: $2324

The book rate for installing a TL transmission is 5.5 hrs, so anywhere between $400-$600 in labor costs is reasonable.

I have no clue what Aamco will charge for a rebuild, but I estimate that it'll be between $2500-$3000 depending if "hard" parts need to be replaced.

Hope this helps,
Mike

SodaLuvr

A buddy of mine told me to check Phoenix Hardparts for a remanufactured transmission for your '99 TL.

They charge $1250 plus $250 (about) for shipping, for a remanufactured unit. They have a $550 refundable core fee.

Standard warranty is 1-yr/12,000 miles, but you can upgrade to a 4-yr/48,000 mi one for an extra $600.

So, for about $1500, you can get a remanufactured transmission. Add $500 for labor and you'll be good to go for $2K.

Speaking of Aamco, you can take the transmission to them and they'll install the remanufactured unit.

fsttyms1

and if you have a nice set of metric sockets and a floor jack you can install it your self too.

fla-tls

Hmm - by buying an "internet tranny" you saved $500... maybe... A 4 speed TL tranny shouldn't be over $2500 total anyways - even with a fair amount of hard part damage.

If the unit fails again within the warranty period, you will have to pay for labor again (another $500) which wipes out the savings. Also, because you did not have a reputable local shop do all of the work you WILL be put on the back burner priority-wise to get the tranny replaced (both times).

Remember - make sure you read the warranty. Warranties can worded in a variety of ways and there are always provisions to void a warranty as well.

I'm certainly biased, but I'd just have a reputable local shop do it. The cost will be about the same and you'll get better service. You'll also have a nationwide warranty (with AAMCO or Cottman - the two national chains that are actually combining now) that will include parts AND labor - and be good even if you're out of town.

DarkBlue

Thanks for the infoguys. I'll keep you posted...

SodaLuvr

Bump. Any updates?

georgy_d28

I dont know if im the only one...but what happened