Tranny lost 4th gear???

[Ashman]

I was driving today, and my car decided that it now does not want to shift into 4th gear.

Fluid level is fine, all other gears shift fine, but 4th will not engage.

4th has engaged a few times though, but pretty much 3rd is the best I can get, because 4th just does not get shifted into.

I have taken the car to my mechanic, and I await the diagnostic, he told me that its possible its a solenoid, or somethign with the bowden cable in the best case senario.

He also told me my car had first gear start from the factory, so I was pleased about that.

Att he same time he does the repair, I'll be having him put in my springs, and he will go over the car doing a nice lube job and fluid changing.

I really hope it is not the trannyt hat needs to be rebuilt, otherwise its gonna be expensive for me to fix, but there wont be anythign I can do about it if it is broken.

The strange thing is the fluid in the tranny is fine, there is no slipping from what I can tell, but then again the moent I noticed it not going into 4th, I went straight to my mechanic.

The tranny shifts smooth into 2nd and 3rd, but its almost as if 4th is just not there, but when it does go into fourth on a occasion, which has happened a couple of times in the drive to my mechanic, it seems normal as can be, but the moment it comes out of 4th it then wont go back in.

The problem was not here the other day or even this morning, it was only there after I was on my way back from a client, then it started acting up and the car was warm and not cold, and was driving fine before hand.

Its very strange, so I am hoping its something not too expensive to repair.

What do you guys think, am I looking at a new tranny or do you think I should be able to get it worked out for a reasonable repair?

Alon

[Ashman]

Hi all,

Just thought I would update you on the tranny..

Well its Rebuild time, My Mechanic opened up the tranny pan, and it was black with clutch material.

So it looks like I wont be getting my car back until tuesday or wednesday.

Cost, Around $1400 for the rebuild, which I think is very reasonable.

At the same time I'm getting my springs installed.

My mechanic also says my differential is ok, and everything else is all ok, so the noise I have coming from the rear turns out to be tires according to my mechanic even though my tire guy claims they were balanced and all. I'm going to have my tire guy, rebalance them properly and at high speed, and maybe even on the car if need be.

So I figure I'll be in for around $1600 total for rebuild of tranny, spring install, and complete lube and fluid changes everywhere.

My mechanic said other than the tranny, my car is perfect, so I am glad for that.

Its a good thing he is an MB specialist, only works on MB's, and he used to be the manager of Beverly Hills Mercedes, so I know he knows his stuff, and the cost to me is excellent.

In anycase, I just thought I would update everyone on the post, even though nobody responded to it before...

Alon

yep, when it won't go into a gear like that, it usually is a busted up clutch pack.

I am in the EXACT same situation today with my BMW. Was driving home last night, and lost all gears except third. The trans warning light also came on on the dash.

I have no time to look at it, so its at the shop. They are going to look at the electronics, etc. to try to get it going again for a reasonable price, but I think I know what the outcome will be. I'm preparing myself for $2K, so if it comes in for less, I'll be pleasantly surprised!

hey, talk about BMW reliability! The trans went out at 39,000 miles, replaced by the dealer with a factory rebuilt, which lasted from 39,000 to 120,000! Yikes!

[Ashman]

My friend's 1991 M5 is on its 3rd tranny in 75k miles.

Of course the 3rd time was under warranty.

My dad just had the pump in his tranny replaced, and it cost him less than $1700 on his 94 SL600 with 63k on the odo. when the dealer wanted over $3k for a new tranny.

At least My dad let me borrow his SL while my car is in the shop. I called him while he is on a business trip, and asked him, at first he didn't want to, and I was fine with that, but the moment I told him I'd go get a rental he said go ahead and use my car.

So At least I get to cruise top down in the SL during this beautiful 80 degree weather in Los Angeles.

Of course the stares from people because I'm in the SL is always a pick me up. it helps me not think about the cost of my repairs.

At least my mechanic said everything else was in great shape.

And my fluid level was fine, and the fluid and filter were all ok, so I know it wasn't from that.

Perhaps the previous owner negleted it or just drove the hell outta it....

Alon

[David C Klasse]

Alon,
Do you still have 83.5K miles on it? I am just curious at how many miles b4 the trans failed.

[Ashman]

Well its hard to say david,

I think my odo was rolled back by a previous owner as car fax records showed higher mileage, so I would say that not at 85k like it says now, but rather probably 130 or so if carfax is right. But carfax info is not from DMV database according to DMV, so I don't know if it is accurate or not, but The car drives great so I don't mind even if it is not original miles.

But I don't suspect you will have a tranny failure at 85k....

Just get your tranny fluid and filter changed at regular intervals, maybe 15k maybe 25k, I am not sure what the interval would be, but you can be rest assured, I'll be doing my tranny fluid from now on, once every 15k maximum...

When I talked to my mechanic, and when he told me tranny was in need of rebuild as the clutches were disintegrated in the pan, I asked him what should I do. He said keep the car, fix the tranny, the car is beautiful.

So that tells me, he thinks all else is fine.

Alon

Alon