clintbw

My 2001 3ES has another issue... and I'm afraid it's to do with the U140E transmission. The car has about 140k on it and I'm beginning to believe the tranny is toast... or maybe you guys can throw me some pointers.

The symptoms I'm having are new (within the last 500 miles) and are worrisome. The shift between 2nd and 3rd, since I've had it, has been abnormal. At first the tach would fluctuate about 100rpms (very slightly) during the shift, but was otherwise smooth. I noticed it would stop after the transmission warmed up. Well I decided to do a drain and fill with T-IV type fluid as the fluid was a bit dirty, but not horrible. The metal on the bottom of the pan seemed fairly normal around the magnets and I changed the filter while I had the pan off. I filled the tranny with T-IV and immediately noticed the car responded better... no placebo. My guess is that the wrong fluid was put in the tranny recently.

Anyway, after about 400 miles with the new fluid, the shift between 2nd and 3rd has begun to do a minor slip and catch. No other symptoms. I lifted the car last night and did another drain and fill, hoping to get more dirty fluid out. I drove around for about 20 minutes with no change in performance. Does anybody have any ideas or pointers? Thank you all very much.

I'll post the pics in this thread in a moment... having issues with image hosting site

clintbw

I just read that I should reset the computer to allow it to relearn with the new fluid. Is this something worth trying? Regardless, I just removed my battery cables and ECM fuse...

LeX2K

That fluid is in very poor shape and there is more metal on the magnets than I'd like to see although I've seen worse. The level needs to be at or slightly below the HOT line when the transmission is fully warmed, 30 minute sustained driving is usually enough.

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

What a lemon you got!!

What you're experiencing is what happened to me. I heard a slight, fine whine for a long time in my trans. Then one day [coming home from the shop - ironic], driving 50mph, it jerks and downshifts... weird, then again, and at this point its 3rd gear, then again 2nd until I lost all but 1st & Reverse...

As I'm driving I just realized i'm only in 1st, the rpm's are sky high. FML, toast tranny.

At the shop hooked up the fancy pants scanner and it showed all solenoids but those two were dead.

I've never done or heard of that on these cars... too old.

All the newer 04+ has the ecm learn 'drive cycles' with use/after servicing.

speedkar9

Damn all of these transmission issues with the 99-01 cars and the U140E tranny are scaring me.

I've been eyeing high mileage 3ES's for a while as a beater car, but now I will have to think twice, as you can't notice the issue in a test drive before buying the car.

Is the solution new solenoids or a full rebuild?

clintbw

Oh, no... I'm afraid my car has that dreaded whine you are talking about. It's unique... I'm just keeping the fluid as is, as well as put in some Lucas additive for thicker viscosity until the inevitable happens, I suppose. I'll be babying this car and saving money in the meantime for the tranny rebuild. What a PITA this car has become... I should have kept my 98 Camry although it had 200k miles, it was running perfectly... It was worn down cosmetically.... I sold it to my cousin to get this car because I wanted something prettier and with lower miles. Basically, from what I've gathered here: A541E > U140E ....

clintbw

Okay, so while we're on this subject/thread, I might as well get everyone's opinion on transmission replacement/rebuilding... which route should I take? I want to keep this car for as long as I can... I paid cash for it and have no desire to sell it and get in a different car. Should I find a re-manufactured tranny? One website said that the remanufactured trannys have modifications, different from the factory models, that will extend their life over the original models... is this true? Does anybody have experience with using a remanufactured transmission?

Or would simply rebuilding my transmission be a better option? I'm sure there are many factors that would go into either of these options...

Thanks, again, all.

Bumbobee

I had the solenoids in my tranny fail and my transmission needed to be rebuilt. I paid $ 2000 cash for a rebuild, and so far the tranny is holding up, 1 year since the rebuild.

However, for me, the tranny does not function the same way the original did. But it could be just all in my head.

I would go the rebuild route unless you can find a cheap tranny from Japan. If getting it rebuilt, I would make sure the shop or whoever it is rebuilding it has good reviews and gives you a decent warranty for it.

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

Which is why these cars are now worth 2-5k for a 00+ lol

Solenoids? lol no, they're anywhere from 500-800 EA

Rebuild sure, I got quoted 3500$ - NOPE

I put a used trans in mine, no guarantees but it was 2k [all in] instead of almost 4k...

clintbw

How does the transmission perform compared to your previous one (before it failed..)? Are you satisfied with the transmission replacement? Does it shift/perform alright? Thankfully I'm in the DFW Texas metroplex and there are plenty of places to find a used one...

clintbw

Here's a video of the car accelerating... you can hear the "whine" of the tranny.... http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Clint...772A7.mp4.html

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

Been fine ever since. Had the chance to change the rear main seal at the same time too.

clintbw

Well I'll definitely be stashing cash aside for a transmission fund. I'll keep everyone updated as my situation progresses... I'm gonna love this car back to life.

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

man, if I was in your shoes I'd cut my losses after all the misfire issues and dump it on some sucker while it still runs!