Hey all,

So for a few months now, I've been getting the, "Transmission Fault" alert when driving down the highway. I rarely ever feel anything but every now and again, it will happen when it shifts into a gear. Usually once I'm going over 50 or 60 mph and if it does hesitate when shifting, it is only once.

I have no leaks. I did a lot of searching previously and went ahead and purchased a new pan/filter, sleeve, and fluid.

When I was preparing to change the filter and fluid, I read some post that scared me and said that changing the fluid could actually result in a transmission failure.

I am about to pull the engine and replace it so if I was going to change the transmission filter, now would be a good time as I will have the easiest access to it.

Here's my questions, should I change the filter and fluid or just keep it as it is until it fails?

Thank you,

 

That's a tough decision. If the vehicle is still running I would try the fluid/filter change and a software update.

if that does not fix it then you can swap the trans while doing the motor.

if the trans is bad, then it has to be fixed/swapped.

 

I'm of the opinion that changing your fluid and filter is always a good thing (if done correctly). Unfortunately, it's not going to "fix" your transmission and could very well end up making the symptoms worse. This does not mean it will hurt the transmission, but rather just make the symptoms more obvious. But look at it this way... if you never change your fluid and filter, the tranny will definitely be toast. If you DO change it and there's nothing physically wrong with it, you will prolong its life. If there IS something wrong with it already, then what does it matter? You'll have to replace regardless. I say go for it.

 

Yeah it's like a terminally ill patient being offered a treatment that has a chance to cure them completely or outright kill them. The only thing you have to lose is the cost of the work and potentially some time before it fails. Your transmission is either going to fail anyway or its life will be prolonged.

 

It doesn't sound like you have serious trouble from you tranny at the moment from what you described. I would do the flush and then get the software updated.

 

Just guessing at the problem doesn't usually solve anything, just cause you to spend money that likely isn't needed.

If you have an E-clutch code or a Solenoid Electrical code, then fluid service and/or software won't help.
If you have an A-clutch code, you are either low on fluid or the mechatronic adapter seal is split. This will sometimes also cause a D-clutch code. A service "would" fix this, but if its the mechatronics seal, there is one more step needed on top of the fluid/filter service.

FWIW, I don't buy into the whole "if you service your trans it will fail" statement. If the only thing hold your transmission together is dirty fluid, do you really want to drive it anyway? If old fluid is the only thing that makes my transmission still function, how long do you really think you have left on it and wouldn't you rather it fail while repairs are being done then 300 miles from home or when you really need to get somewhere? I have never personally seen this happen, only "wives tales" floating around. We service 100k+ transmissions on a regular basis.

 

Thank you for all the input. I'm going to go ahead and do it. I also have the sleeve that I will replace as well.

One question that is unrelated to the transmission but I have searched and can't find an answer and do not want to start a thread for this.

How or where do you attached the engine hoist to the engine to move it?

Thanks again.

 

If you go down the steel sump road you won't need to lift the engine. Simply drop the old plastic pan and use a hacksaw blade to cut off the riser pipe. It's a little fiddly but it makes any future oil and filter changes easier as the metal sump slides into place.