Cost of trans fluid change

[waterman]

Definitely shop around; I imagine you'd find something much more cost effective....So fluid flush w/the correct fluid for those units, wiring harness w/temp sensor (one-piece design) and fast adapt relearn for $1,770.00...No reprogramming is needed for simply swapping the harness or even for rebuilding the transmission. The only time you'd need to actually reprogram the unit is if you were swapping in a used trans from another vehicle w/a different TEHCM/TCM part number or replacing your ECM.

Here's a Sonnax article on the relearn process if you're interested to learn a little more about it and how it's done.

Hello,

I spoke with a different dealer and they came up with a similiar price. I called a independent shop and he said he didn’t believe it’s just the fluid and there are other problems but said he wants to drive it first and doesn’t charge for diagnosing. My coworker has someone he trusts and will get me there name. What are your thoughts?

 

[NickTransmissions]

Hello,

I spoke with a different dealer and they came up with a similiar price. I called a independent shop and he said he didn’t believe it’s just the fluid and there are other problems but said he wants to drive it first and doesn’t charge for diagnosing. My coworker has someone he trusts and will get me there name. What are your thoughts?

If the correct fluid is already in the trans and is at the correct level, im inclined to agree with the independent shop that something else could be happening. If there's no charge for diagnosis and their shop has good reviews, I'd take it over and let them check it out. They will stick a bi-dir scanner and watch transmission data; will look specifically for things like shift times, tcc behavior and any gear ratio anomalies and diag from there.

Perhaps you can get the harness / temp sensor replaced without having to damn near take out a second mortgage to finance it, lol

 

[vcode]

Hello,

I spoke with a different dealer and they came up with a similiar price. I called a independent shop and he said he didn’t believe it’s just the fluid and there are other problems but said he wants to drive it first and doesn’t charge for diagnosing. My coworker has someone he trusts and will get me there name. What are your thoughts?

I would definitely look at an independent shop. I live in Wisconsin and have been looking for a Tahoe and many show up in Illinois. It is shocking how many dealers have zero star reviews. Unfortunately, they have been buying the dealers up here as well. Coffmann GMC was the only dealer that seemed decent to me, but I have no actual experience with them.

 

[Hodgeee]

Ive heard way more problems with the 8 speed, when people thought the 6 speed was bad. As long as you properly flushed or changed your tranny fluid on 09 to 14 truck six speeds, and changed your transmission temperature thermostat to the 154 degree one on 15 and up truck six speeds. They should last you. Unless you tow a lot, then you may still run into problems if you dont upgrade the stock tranny cooler, or add one. I tow a camper and boat a lot, so i put on a push fan on my stock cooler with a 180 degree fan. So even on 110 degree days in traffic towing, mine has not hit higher than 189 degrees.

Once again, only time will tell on these new 8 speeds. Ive driven them and like that you have better power at all speeds than the six speed, but considering that it was co-built by Ford. I dont trust them.

Hey, waterman, is it a specific transmission shop?

 

[waterman]

Ive heard way more problems with the 8 speed, when people thought the 6 speed was bad. As long as you properly flushed or changed your tranny fluid on 09 to 14 truck six speeds, and changed your transmission temperature thermostat to the 154 degree one on 15 and up truck six speeds. They should last you. Unless you tow a lot, then you may still run into problems if you dont upgrade the stock tranny cooler, or add one. I tow a camper and boat a lot, so i put on a push fan on my stock cooler with a 180 degree fan. So even on 110 degree days in traffic towing, mine has not hit higher than 189 degrees.

Once again, only time will tell on these new 8 speeds. Ive driven them and like that you have better power at all speeds than the six speed, but considering that it was co-built by Ford. I dont trust them.

Hey, waterman, is it a specific transmission shop?

Yes, the shop I’m bringing it to just does transmissions. My coworker hasn’t given the name of the person he knows so I’m going to try this shop. I hope he does the diagnosing with a open mind and not think it automatically needs a rebuild

 

[Hodgeee]

Yeah, funny, ive run into that. Just right off the bat, oh we need to do this or that, without even looking at them.

 

[vcode]

Ive heard way more problems with the 8 speed, when people thought the 6 speed was bad. As long as you properly flushed or changed your tranny fluid on 09 to 14 truck six speeds, and changed your transmission temperature thermostat to the 154 degree one on 15 and up truck six speeds. They should last you. Unless you tow a lot, then you may still run into problems if you dont upgrade the stock tranny cooler, or add one. I tow a camper and boat a lot, so i put on a push fan on my stock cooler with a 180 degree fan. So even on 110 degree days in traffic towing, mine has not hit higher than 189 degrees.

Once again, only time will tell on these new 8 speeds. Ive driven them and like that you have better power at all speeds than the six speed, but considering that it was co-built by Ford. I dont trust them.

Hey, waterman, is it a specific transmission shop?

GM and Ford worked together on the 10 speed, not the 8 speed that I am aware of. Could be wrong. They did do some work together on the front drive 6/8/9 speed tranny.

 

[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 dropped of my truck last night to the transmission shop by my house. When I picked up my truck from the dealer they quoted me 10,000 before tax for a rebuilt transmission. I’m really starting to worry.

 

[OR VietVet]

Good morning. I dropped of my truck last night to the transmission shop by my house. When I picked up my truck from the dealer they quoted me 10,000 before tax for a rebuilt transmission. I’m really starting to worry.

The dealer shop's stock in trade is to make you worry. So many people cave to them. You may need a transmission replacement but IMO, you also NEED at least two opinions and maybe 3. Lots of times, the stealership transmission people are just parts changers, not always but lots of times. The independent transmission shops do a better job of diagnosing and explaining of the problems and fixes.

I will continue to say this though. "Maintenance pays and breakdowns cost". I have no idea if lack of maintenance had anything to do with the problems you are having but I know for 100% fact, continued maintenance on the many vehicle systems is your best bet to help keep these problems from happening.

Not saying this next statement happened here, but so many times, vehicle owners do "breakdown maintenance" and that leads to higher costs in the long run.

 

[NickTransmissions]

Good morning. I dropped of my truck last night to the transmission shop by my house. When I picked up my truck from the dealer they quoted me 10,000 before tax for a rebuilt transmission. I’m really starting to worry.

For 10k that truck had better fly under its own power, haha. Or, at the very least, the transmission should prepare a hot, fresh quality cup of coffee and have it wating for you every morning when you get in to drive to work (or whereever you may be going).

I'm interested to hear what the trans shop comes up with and does. @OR VietVet captures the gist of the rest of what I would also say in his post above.