Services Automatic transmission service

WITH

The cost of
Automatic Transmission Repair at the Vita-Motors service station is from 45,000 rubles , but the price range is extremely wide - read the article!

Indications for automatic transmission repair

Repair of the automatic transmission is carried out after the automatic transmission diagnostic procedure has shown mechanical damage to the automatic transmission, such as:

Slippage (“throwing up” speed) when changing gears
Mismatch between the rotation speeds of the input and output shafts
Untimely gear change
Incorrect operation of the torque converter lock (TCC solenoid)
Shocks when engaging/shifting gears
Inflated or insufficient RPM readings during Stall test, etc. Indirect signs of the need for automatic transmission repair also include the following:
Burnt (severely discolored and with a burning smell) automatic transmission fluid (automatic transmission fluid)
Critically low oil level in automatic transmission
Increased amount of wear debris on the dipstick, in the pan and on the automatic transmission filter.

Difficulty in shifting gears in an automatic transmission can also be caused by wear debris getting under the valves or in the control plate. In this case, we recommend that you first carry out a complete oil change in the automatic transmission on a special stand, using a set of special additives from Wynn's (link to flushing the automatic transmission).

On cars with a mileage of more than 150,000 km before automatic transmission repair and more than 10 years have passed since the date of manufacture, if the automatic transmission has never been flushed and a classic oil change was not carried out according to the regulations, this procedure may not be effective!

Separately, the radiator of the transmission cooling system must be flushed, both externally and internally, with the obligatory disconnection of the lines.

If the sensor readings do not match, the control module software fails, or one or more gear shift solenoids fail the test, additional diagnostics of the electrical wiring are performed, its repair or replacement of faulty elements of the automatic transmission control system. Calibration and/or training procedures are carried out.

There are clients who contact workshops with problems with the automatic transmission of their cars, having first studied the topic on the Internet on forums.

As a rule, these informed, prepared clients themselves suggest to our specialists what exactly needs to be done with their box, and are skeptical about our specialists’ conclusions about the causes of the problems and proposals for other repair options.

Client's wish

Following the principle: “The client’s desire...”. We fulfill these wishes, but if we see that the actions will not lead to results, we warn the client and carry out the work under his responsibility, but in this case we have to refuse the Automatic Transmission Repair Guarantee.

Statistics from auto repair shops for automatic transmission repairs “at the request of the client”, when they do not coincide with the conclusions of specialists - 70-80% of the problem is not solved immediately, 20-30% - the problem returns after a mileage of up to 1000 km.

QUESTION: Why does this happen?

ANSWER: There is really a lot of information on the forums about any problems and solutions, posted by real amateur craftsmen who encountered a problem and managed to solve it. There are new non-standard solutions that really produce positive results.

Repair and diagnostics forums

Our specialists regularly view these forums and it happens that from the huge amount of senseless and harmful information viewed, they come across one repair option, which they take into their arsenal, but in order to understand that this is the right option, you need to be a great professional, who has already encountered all other options and knows their uselessness. Never, not a single professional specialist, on any public forum on the Internet, posts information about his work. Firstly: there is simply no time to do this. Secondly: specialists do not like to share their secrets with clients. Thirdly: specialists have their own forums, closed from clients, for communication on the Internet and live at meetings (for example, regularly once a quarter, in different cities of Russia and abroad, automatic transmission specialists from all over the world are invited to meetings by the AutoTransTech company). By the way, amateur mechanics who post their solutions to problems on forums never subsequently write refutations or apologies for their erroneous decisions if after some time the problems with the automatic transmission return. These hobbyists usually bring these “refurbished” boxes and cars to specialists and tell the stories of their “repairs.”

Dismantling and installation of automatic transmission

Work on dismantling/installing an automatic transmission is not included in the cost of automatic transmission repair and is included in the work order as a separate item. We can conditionally divide the removal/installation of automatic transmission into several main price groups:

A rear-wheel drive car with a front-mounted power unit (engine), such as Lincoln Town Car, Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, Chevrolet Caprise/Impala SS (before 1996), Buick Roadmaster, Chrysler 300C RWD, as well as all models of SUVs with drive on the rear axle, including Hummer H2. Removing/installing an automatic transmission on these cars will cost from RUB 6,000.
Front-wheel drive car with a transverse power unit: Dodge/Chrysler Neon, Caliber, Stratus/Sebring - from 8000 rub.
On all-wheel drive versions of models that have grown out of the previous Chrysler Town Country family, as well as on crossovers such as the Ford Escape, the cost increases slightly, by approximately 10%, depending on the drive version
Classic all-terrain vehicle with a front-engine layout with a transfer case and drive on both axles - Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet TrialBlazer, Chevy Express/GMC Savanna, Jeep Grand Cherokee/Cherokee, Wrangler, Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator/Ford Expedition, Excursion, F-series pickups - from 10000 rub.
A front-wheel drive car with a front-engine layout, where removal/installation of the automatic transmission requires removal/installation of the subframe: Cadillac STS, Chrysler Voyager/Dodge Caravan, Ford Taurus - from 13,000 rubles.

After installing the transmission (subframe!), it is mandatory to check and, if necessary, adjust the wheel alignment at the wheel alignment stand (about 2500 rubles), since the “layout” of the steering may be disrupted (the steering wheel is tilted to the left/right relative to the center).

Automatic transmission repair procedure

After dismantling the automatic transmission, parts of the unit are disassembled and defective, a defective list is drawn up, which, after estimating the cost of the necessary spare parts and work, is transferred to the client to agree on a full repair estimate.

If the client's decision is positive, repairs are made. The service is equipped with the most modern equipment and even torque converter repairs are carried out by our specialists, and not by a third party. Depending on the availability of spare parts in the warehouse, repairs, from vehicle acceptance to delivery to the client, take from 4 to 7 days.

Flushing the radiator(s) of the automatic transmission cooling system is included in the standard list of required procedures (by default).

After installing the automatic transmission on the car, it is mandatory to carry out a test drive, computer testing, checking the oil level and absence of leaks, only after that we notify the customer about readiness.

Upon delivery, the technician will give the necessary recommendations for further use.

Prices for automatic transmission diagnostics

Prices for automatic transmission diagnostics depend on the car brand, region, service class and other factors. The cost of diagnostics is one of the main factors taken into account by car owners when choosing the appropriate service. It is more difficult to make a choice in large cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Their average cost ranges from:

500-700 rubles - a cheap option, a superficial mechanical check, which may not accurately determine the cause of malfunctions;
1000-1500 rubles – advanced automatic transmission diagnostics, which includes a test drive and computer testing, allows you to accurately identify the cause of the problem;
2500-3000 rubles – full diagnostics, which includes computer testing, test drive, disassembly of the unit, troubleshooting parts.

Some auto repair shops perform automatic transmission diagnostics free of charge, provided that the repairs are performed at the same auto repair shop.

In order for an automatic gearbox to serve for a long time and work without failures, it is necessary to undergo regular maintenance and not forget about routine diagnostics. If symptoms of a malfunction have already appeared, self-diagnosis is not recommended. You should urgently contact the service to check the unit and troubleshoot problems, otherwise they may develop into a serious malfunction.

Automatic transmission repair warranty

After repairing the automatic transmission, with a mileage of 1500..2000 km, it is necessary to (partially) replace the oil in the unit with removing the pan to inspect and replace the transmission filter. When running in a repaired automatic transmission, you should operate the vehicle, avoiding increased loads (without a trailer, with a load of no more than 50%) and mandatory warming up before driving. Only in this case can we guarantee further trouble-free operation of the unit. It is necessary to check the oil level in the machine and its condition during the break-in period DAILY.

The warranty period for a repaired automatic transmission is 20,000 km or one calendar year, whichever comes first. Important! Our craftsmen, to simplify additional diagnostics of automatic transmissions after repair, to resolve controversial cases and, in general, for control, install a so-called “thermal witness” into the unit - a disposable temperature-dependent sticker, with a strip of chemical reagents, which changes color step by step, depending on the degree of heating. Thermal witness provides impartial detection of automatic transmission overheating, because it is the increased temperature of the transmission that leads to a sharp reduction in the life of the unit and is the main cause of failure.

Remember, if you constantly operate a car with a fully loaded trailer, exceed the speed limit recommended by the manufacturer, etc., then you need to strengthen the automatic transmission cooling system, for example, by installing an additional cooling radiator equipped with a thermostat and a separate fan. The size and installation location depend on the car model/operational requirements; of course, you will receive appropriate recommendations at the Vita-Motors service station.

Computer diagnostics of automatic transmission without a professional diagnostician?

Many well-known automatic transmission repair centers do not have professional diagnosticians and replace the concept of “Automatic transmission diagnostics” with simple reading and decoding of errors with a universal scanner “for all cars.” If such a diagnostician goes out for lunch, then a free mechanic from the lift takes his place: he washes his hands, they quickly show him where to plug in the scanner cable, and he will immediately tell you what the problems are and what needs to be done. Dear clients, in order to avoid unreasonable costs, ask questions to the diagnosticians, do not hesitate to ask them to explain in detail their actions and the rationale for their conclusions. The more questions you have, the more accurately you will understand what level of specialist your diagnostician is. The cost and timing of repairing your car depends on this.

Partial repair with a working automatic transmission

We would like to draw your attention to the fact that if a leak is detected in the front oil seal of an automatic transmission, the unit must also be removed to replace it. If play is detected in the automatic transmission pump bushing, it is recommended to carry out a partial repair of the automatic transmission, in the part of the pump unit, when only the front part of the automatic transmission is disassembled. Most often, replacing the oil seal without replacing the pump bushing is useless; the leak will soon resume! The cost of this procedure, including spare parts and oil (ATF), starts from 25,000 rubles, depending on the design features of a particular car and the brand of transmission fluid used.

Please understand that the exact price for repairs can only be obtained after a complete troubleshooting, dismantling and opening of the unit. However, let’s try to give approximate prices for repairs:

Three-speed hydraulic transmissions without electronic control, for example: Dodge Caravan (31TH) and Jeep Wrangler (32RH) - from 45,000 rubles.
Four-speed automatic transmissions with electronic control, for example: Chevrolet Tahoe/ChevroletTahoe (4L60E), Ford Expedition (4R70), Jeep Gran Cherokee WJ/JeepGrandCherokeeWJ (45RFE, 42RF) - from 70,000 rubles.
Five-speed automatic transmissions Ford Explorer/FordExplorer (5R55), Chrysler 300C/Chrysler 300C (NAG1) - from 80,000 rub.
Six-speed automatic transmissions with electronic control, for example: Cadillac Escalade/CadillacEscalade (6L80E) - from 90,000 rubles.
CVT transmissions Dodge Caliber (CVT2 - Constant Variable Transmission) or Saturn Vue (VT20-E, VT25-E) - from 95,000 rubles.