Called Shop Today

[Haitian_King]

Hey guys,

Called Keith Van Meter's shop today and asked for a quote for a full transmission diagnostic. (Don't want to put my NICO ECU in while in doubt about the tans status.) His receptionist told me $85/hour. I asked how long the diagnostic would take and she had no idea. She says I should call back tomorrow.

So, Tech, Wes, and any Q45 Geniuses on the board, please answer this. How long does a transmission diagnostic take? Just so I have a ballpark figure.

She says that he'll waive the diagnostic fee if I let him do the job. Before I get any sort of job done however, I'd like to know exactly what I'm dealing with and the complete nature of the problem. $85 is a small price to pay for that sort of peace of mind.

Been having trouble sleeping lately. Seriously stressing over the Q. I had a dream last night that I was a car salesman and I was trying to sell a Toyota from the 80's. The car was in TERRIBLE shape mechanically. Seriously a lemon. But I was doing everything I could to convince the buyer to buy it.

A foreshadowing of something to come maybe? I just don't want to get hosed on a repair bill.

[jamesmost]

my guy in elmont, NY Anderson Transmission - rebuilt my trans , w/ shift kit and x tra clutches etc for $1400.the scan took all of 10 minutes

[Haitian_King]

Oh yeah?

Not a bad deal at all. I didn't have the time to call the shop today, but at least I have an idea for a price.

a 10 minute scan +/- the road test, plus a rebuild if necessary. $1400 doesn't sound unreasonable for renewing a transmission.

Better than $4500 for a new one from Joe.

[96Qowner]

Hm, you should search the old transmission threads. A "rebuild" frequently doesn't solve the real problems. Here's a couple threads for starters:

Who's got transmission R&R experience?

Question for Q45Tech - Trans Swap

A Nissan factory remanned transmission runs about $3500 installed.

[Haitian_King]

Hmmm. You might have changed my opinion with those posts. Thing is, I'm closer to 1400 cash in hand than 3500. I'll see if Keith can throw me a cheaper price on the reman.

Owning this Q is killing my investment plan right now. I should be enjoying my mutual funds instead of throwing money at this car. Owning a Q is like having a high strung girlfriend. Keep it happy or it goes ape****.

[maxnix]

A Nissan factory remanned transmission runs about $3500 installed.

In LA? I think that can be beat easily, even with some ancilliary work and upgrades if missing.

One time rebuilders are just an invitation to visit again soon and drop some more coin.

[Haitian_King]

?

I didn't understand your post Brian. Were you saying that I can get a Nissan Factory Remanned for less than $3500?

That would be GREAT! The less the better.

[Q451990]

Just for the fun of it I checked IOS for a transmisison... $4500! Plus shipping, plus installation... $5500+... wow. I feel like flushing my transmission this afternoon. The newer 5 speed transmission for the '05 is a couple of hunder cheaper... I wonder how hard it would be to bolt up and control it?

Heath

[maxnix]

Just for the fun of it I checked IOS for a transmisison... $4500! Plus shipping, plus installation... $5500+... wow. I feel like flushing my transmission this afternoon. The newer 5 speed transmission for the '05 is a couple of hunder cheaper... I wonder how hard it would be to bolt up and control it?

Heath

Wow, that is a substantial jump from $2200 less core refund! Level 10 now looks cheap.

Mechanical ATF changes scheduled for all of mine.

[Haitian_King]

I really hope that mine isn't too damaged and can be salvaged. For $5500 I can buy another car. I hope Keith is a miracle worker.

You know, I never felt any problems before my fluid exchange and pan drop. Now accelerating through first blows. The speedo needle climbs slowly while the tach needle is skyrocketing. After 40, the car accelerates and shifts like a dream. But getting from a dead stop to anything above 20 is a nightmare.

This is terrible. I'm becoming increasingly depressed. I curse the rat bastard who owned the car before me and my ignorance about Q transmissions. I drove it all summer with a bad injector and apparently rancid ATF. In typing this, I'm becoming increasingly agitated and I'm feeling the urge to hit something.

This guy across the street has a Q that's been sitting for a year. I think something's wrong with his engine. If his transmission is good, would it be better to swap?

[1990QOwner]

A while back I found a used transmission on ebay with 30,000 miles on it and it sold for $250. If you aren't afraid of used transmissions than something like that would probably be your best shot for the budget.

[maxnix]

For $5500 I can buy another car. I hope Keith is a miracle worker.

And another used if not abused transmission.

You are aware with the FSM you can perform the transmission diagnosis yourself?

A transmission that has been sitting a year my be no prize.

[Haitian_King]

I asked about the transmission diagnosis. I was told that it only really detects electrical problems like bad solenoids and not mechanical wear like clutches and worn gears.

[Haitian_King]

Brian, what's a downside of a good transmission that's been sitting a uyear other than maybe a lack of fresh fluid? If the gears and clutch are in good shape, shouldn't it work?

[ponzy]

my guy in elmont, NY Anderson Transmission - rebuilt my trans , w/ shift kit and x tra clutches etc for $1400.the scan took all of 10 minutes

wassss..up james.....glad to be back here again..been busy....anyway....the q still sucks had had the vibration still, ....after $750 with the same problem...guess that's life....ive been busy for a while with the suzuki swift with 35 mpg mixed. anyway, with the transmission i think you can get a kit from level ten and have it done with Van meters. that's gonna be my project next year after im all done fixing the vibration, and im considering to go with Van Meter's.....

don't rush things up and you'll end up spending a lot of money....

[Haitian_King]

Well. My self diagnostic on the transmission gave me "D" as a code. It's some sort of battery thing according to the FSM. What I don't know is if it's my car battery or some sort of battery in the TCU.

[ericthered]

Almost every transmission I have ever driven that was opened up and "fixed", outside of a very specialized ship with good skill, was a transmission with problems. Going cheap on a rebuild is very bad. I'd always go used and unopened first (but not too used).

[Haitian_King]

If I can get a confirmation, I might not have to take it off and swap. Hopefully, it's because the TCU wasn't installed properly. I'm going to check it out first thing in the morning. I hope that will fix it.

[elwesso]

james' transmission has worked out good for him so I would trust his rebuilder..

Nissan hiked the price of the trans big time... weird...

What is your trans doing (sorry for the others that have been following his posts more than I have).

ALL OF THE diagnostic stuff is in the FSM, theres ports on the trans to hook a pressure gauge onto it...

Paying for an electronic diangosis is the same thing as doing the self diagnosis, all he's gonna do is put it onto a consult and press a button or 3 and see what it says.

[jamesmost]

james' transmission has worked out good for him so I would trust his rebuilder..

Nissan hiked the price of the trans big time... weird...

What is your trans doing (sorry for the others that have been following his posts more than I have).

ALL OF THE diagnostic stuff is in the FSM, theres ports on the trans to hook a pressure gauge onto it...

Paying for an electronic diangosis is the same thing as doing the self diagnosis, all he's gonna do is put it onto a consult and press a button or 3 and see what it says.

yes bobby/ anderson transmission is great and he has my old core, he can rebuild that 4 ucall him 516-860-5820tell him i sent u - James with the Black Q45

[Haitian_King]

Would I need a lift of some sort?

Going out to Long Island or wherever is slightly out of the question. 1. I'm worried about the trans.2. I don't have the time to go that far. Work and school are taxing me right now.

[goody90q45]

If I can get a confirmation, I might not have to take it off and swap. Hopefully, it's because the TCU wasn't installed properly. I'm going to check it out first thing in the morning. I hope that will fix it.

Have you had a chance to reseat the TCU connector, or swap in the old one?

[elwesso]

HK what is your trans doing?

[cccpman]

His transmission is fine, it is the First Gear start + NICO ECU that he is worried about. It is wise to get some R+R if you plan on keeping the car for a long period of time, especially if your going to be so tempted to punch the pedal (being unfamiliar with those two mods, who wouldnt be tempted)

[Haitian_King]

I didn't swap out the TCU's yet. I did reseat the connector though. I don't think that was the problem. I'll know for sure if I put the second gear start back in.

[Haitian_King]

Well.

I went to the AAMCO right by my school between classes. The owner/tech grew up in the town where I live. He was very helpful. After letting him drive the car, he diagnosed "Clutch chatter/flutter" and a possible "burnt band" characterized by a "sliding" into gear rather than a legitimate shift. (2-3rd.)

He says that my powertrain warranty should cover the repair and to see if I could get them to rent a car for me as the Q is my main mode of transportation. He also said that in the even the company doesn't cover the entire repair, at most I would be a couple of hundred out of pocket. That's a damn sight better than $5500.

I'm going to call the company tomorrow and let them know.

Before going through with all of this, I'd like your opinions on his diagnosis. Wes, Tech? Was he correct? He didn't seem like he was out to screw me.

BTW, I ran the trans self diagnosis today again and it came up "OK". I take it that it's now a mechanical problem as opposed to an electrical one.

[maxnix]

I went to the AAMCO...

Along with Cottman is the graveyard of AT.

Be sure to get an accurate list of replaced parts, including sources, and ask him how many RE4R03A they rebuild every year.

[Haitian_King]

Ok.

I'm glad I at least got a diagnostic. I know what the problem is. Now, I guess I should call the warranty company and make an appointment at Keith's?