Cost of trans fluid change

[waterman]

You're welcome, Lou...Most shops will want to have the vehicle first so they can diag and give you an accurate estimate. The process will consist of sticking a bi-directional scanner on it, taking it for a test drive and watching transmission behavior while monitoring the TCM's command and control activity to see if there's anomalies. They will also scan for codes that may or may not turn the CEL on....In those units, a failed trans fluid temp sensor typically causes DTC P0711 to set.

I'm wondering how the d(steal)ealership diagnosed your specific issue as your symptoms don't seem like they would be caused solely by a failed temp sensor...That usually puts the transmission into limp mode but otherwise should cause the rumbling sensations you're reporting. Odd to say the least...I'd be inclined at least to get a second opinion, if for no other reason than to confirm that diagnosis is correct.

The service writer said the tech drive the truck and experience what was happening to me. He said there are two problems. First is the vibration and second is the temp sensor. He said doing the flush has fixed that vibration issue with the updated fluid. I know there is a charge for the diagnostic which is part of the 1250 labor. Do I ask them for a quote in writing and then say I want to get a second opinion?

 

[NickTransmissions]

The service writer said the tech drive the truck and experience what was happening to me. He said there are two problems. First is the vibration and second is the temp sensor. He said doing the flush has fixed that vibration issue with the updated fluid. I know there is a charge for the diagnostic which is part of the 1250 labor. Do I ask them for a quote in writing and then say I want to get a second opinion?

Ok that makes a little more sense. Get an estimate in writing but dont mention anything about a second opinion. Once you have it, post it here (redact any personally identifying information like full name, address, etc). Dont sign off on any work until you have a breakdown.

Also I forgot that those transmissions were hyper sensitive to the fluid type and can do crazy things if the right fluid is not used.

 

[NickTransmissions]

The Tahoe/Yukon Forum should have shops in 4-5 areas of the country and have it manned by mostly people from this forum. A guy can dream anyways. Dealerships are nightmares for people/techs that do not want to be treated like a number.

Yea that was mostly said in jest - I like my own, small boutique independent shop where i have total control over what's done, how its done, who i do bus with and under what conditions. I cant imagine being a tech at a dealership but then again, that's how a lot of independent guys have gotten their start. Grind it out for a few years, get certifications and experience then when ready, strike out on their own...

 

[OR VietVet]

Yea that was mostly said in jest - I like my own, small boutique independent shop where i have total control over what's done, how its done, who i do bus with and under what conditions. I cant imagine being a tech at a dealership but then again, that's how a lot of independent guys have gotten their start. Grind it out for a few years, get certifications and experience then when ready, strike out on their own...

Never worked for a dealership. I refused to. Except for a short stint working for Goodyear as a service manager in their big downtown store, I always worked at the smaller mom and pop shops and was only Monday thru Friday. When the economy was real bad, I got laid off in 2009 and was out of work for 2 years. Then close to 10 years as a self storage manager and I lived there and the owner was ok with me doing side work. I stayed in it to try and keep a little sharp and now I am retired and doing as I want on what I want for who I want. If I had a lift, I could be having an even better time of it.

 

[SpyShops212]

I paid $350 to change my 10 speed at Sewell Cadillac in Houston.

 

[waterman]

Hey Lou,

The dealership isnt known as the stealership for nothing, lol. That said, the temp sensor is integral to the wiring harness and the replacement harnesses are all one-piece designs that require valve body removal to change it out. Its a fairly straight forward process, shouldnt take more than an hour, two tops. They also have to replace the vb to case bolts which are torque to yield on those and later transmissions (stupid but is what it is - im sure ARP has replacement bolts available or will soon). Plus a VB to case seal.

My guess is your engine light was on a P0711 was showing and trans thinks its cold when its at op temp so shift compensation adaptations to temp swings were not happening, hence your drivability symptoms.

Always get a quote before turning things over to them or post to let us know about your code/symptoms before taking it anywhere and perhaps we can help you do it yourself next time, saving you some $$$($).

Good morning, I asked the dealer for a quote. All it says transmission harness, filter, reprogram. 1,770.00. I told them I will wait. Like I said earlier they told me parts 550 labor 1,250

 

[Tahoe14]

I would look at getting a GM extended warranty if I was going to pay that much money and then you would have warranty on the whole vehicle. If the repair is inside the tranny then the fluid would be covered by the warranty. There are Dealers that sell the warranty at a discounted price.

 

[OR VietVet]

Good morning, I asked the dealer for a quote. All it says transmission harness, filter, reprogram. 1,770.00. I told them I will wait. Like I said earlier they told me parts 550 labor 1,250

Parts went from $580 to $550? No breakdown on harness price and filter price and fluid price? No breakdown on diagnostics price and the rest of the labor? Efff them.

 

[OR VietVet]

They don't want the breakdown detail to be compared with other shops and "exposed to the light of day". If there was nothing to hide, they should and would give you what you ask for to be able to make an informed decision. They do not want that. They want you to just get frustrated with it all and throw the money at them and "deal with it". The process that is so infuriating when buying a new vehicle gets transferred to the repair shop. Another reason why I never worked at a shop and also why, when I ran shops, I was very very very careful if a dealer tech came in wanting a job as a tech in my shops.

 

[waterman]

I would look at getting a GM extended warranty if I was going to pay that much money and then you would have warranty on the whole vehicle. If the repair is inside the tranny then the fluid would be covered by the warranty. There are Dealers that sell the warranty at a discounted price.

Isn’t it to late for a warranty?