Tranny question
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: WA
The dealer checked the level and said it was good. I don't know if they checked the color and wouldn't know the difference if they told me it was brown, red, yellow or whatever. They do admit the tranny is failing but supposedly cannot do anything under the "terms and conditions" of the warranty. Basically, they won't lie to the warranty company and say it is slipping just so they can replace the tranny, something I'm not asking them to do.
As far as being an ethical issue, you can debate that with yourself or any number of people here and get several different answers. There are many posts here that you can debate the ethicalness of and never come up with a concrete answer. Ethics come down to the ultimate end result and intention of an action. In my opinion, this would be an ethical dilemma if there was nothing wrong with my tranny but my warranty was soon to expire and I wanted a new one because mine would last past the warranty. However, this is not the case.
Regardless, a local AAMCO gent graciously made some suggestions.
As far as being an ethical issue, you can debate that with yourself or any number of people here and get several different answers. There are many posts here that you can debate the ethicalness of and never come up with a concrete answer. Ethics come down to the ultimate end result and intention of an action. In my opinion, this would be an ethical dilemma if there was nothing wrong with my tranny but my warranty was soon to expire and I wanted a new one because mine would last past the warranty. However, this is not the case.
Regardless, a local AAMCO gent graciously made some suggestions.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 38
From: Bethlehem Twsp. Pennsylvania
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,754
Likes: 6
From: Colorado
Start the engine cold. Shift through all gears (stay about 10 seconds in each gear) and put it back in Park. With the engine running, check the ATF level on both side of the dipstick. Take the lower reading. You should see 4 notches on the dipstick. The fluid level should be between the two lower notches.
Perhaps it's just the fluid since some rouge shops put cheap Dexron in every car, but I am afraid that tranny damage is already done. Try doing three ATF drain-n-fills with genuine Toyota Type IV ATF and see if things improve. Drive at least 100 miles between each drain-n-fill. Do not flush the tranny.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,329
Likes: 210
From: Miami, Florida
I have heard of a few people mentioning this to me just before the trannies started to fail (and wound up with a lot of bits in the pan, too.).
Last edited by Lexmex; Oct 28, 2008 at 08:55 AM.
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From: Maryland
Welcome to ClubLexus.
If you use the search function, you'll find many discussions regarding the pros and cons of having a transmission rebuilt, installing a used one, or purchasing a rebuilt one. Like a lot of large auto parts, I don't think there are any new ones available. The dealers install transmissions that have been rebuilt. The prices of each of these options have been discussed fairly recently. It's not a simple answer. A rebuilt transmission at a dealer is one price, at an independent mechanic another, and a used one another. And each of these vary from place to place. There is also the possibility of Lexus or a Lexus dealer sharing the cost if you have a service relationship with them.
If you use the search function, you'll find many discussions regarding the pros and cons of having a transmission rebuilt, installing a used one, or purchasing a rebuilt one. Like a lot of large auto parts, I don't think there are any new ones available. The dealers install transmissions that have been rebuilt. The prices of each of these options have been discussed fairly recently. It's not a simple answer. A rebuilt transmission at a dealer is one price, at an independent mechanic another, and a used one another. And each of these vary from place to place. There is also the possibility of Lexus or a Lexus dealer sharing the cost if you have a service relationship with them.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 38
From: Bethlehem Twsp. Pennsylvania
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