Red flag number one.He had already bought the part
Red flag number two.mentioned needing money for the weekend
Red flag number three.preferring me to pay with cash
What exactly do you mean about each of these things that could be wrong? So I can suggest them to the next mechanics.Derf wrote:One main cause of high pitched sound is a power steering, AC, water pump, or idler bearing.
trb wrote:Welcome! Sorry to hear you are having issues with your Vibe, but this is a good place to find info on it. I agree that you should get a second opinion. It could be that the transmission is going out, as rare as that may be, but I would go for a good, warrantied, low mileage used one before having one rebuilt. I see many of them in Florida salvage yards on http://www.car-part.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; from a few hundred ($300-450) like was mentioned. So it would be the cost of the transmission plus installation if it actually is bad. Just so you can keep that in mind if you get a repair estimate.
Good luck on it!
Yes, engine RPM would be a bigger factor. Sometimes the the vehicle shifts fast enough, noises aren't noticed until you are cruising at a given speed.tpollauf wrote:Just throwing in my 2 cents here BUT the original cause of noise only started at 42 mph & maybe 60mph. If any of the engine component just mentioned were bad, wouldn't they make the noise at any speed? I mean the engine will hit certain RPM's while shifting through all the gears, so if it is a sound occurring at say 2000 RPM then you'd hear the same sound FOUR times (assuming a four speed automatic. I'm thinking it is related to drivetrain or wheel bearing/brakes.
Or just go to a mechanic who isn't trying to take her for a ride. I think these rather boring and lame 4-speeds are actually pretty reliable, claims that it's going bad are kind of suspect, especially when you have a guy who needlessly replaces a bearing and says "it was on its way out." A bearing is either bad or fine. Or spectacularly bad.Nasmfell wrote:It would make more sense to sell it.
lannvouivre wrote:Or just go to a mechanic who isn't trying to take her for a ride. I think these rather boring and lame 4-speeds are actually pretty reliable, claims that it's going bad are kind of suspect, especially when you have a guy who needlessly replaces a bearing and says "it was on its way out." A bearing is either bad or fine. Or spectacularly bad.Nasmfell wrote:It would make more sense to sell it.
Simple things first:Plarka wrote:So now I'm on the road, driving to NY from Florida and the check engine light comes on. (2005 Pontiac Vibe 176,000 miles, bought 2 months ago) I did slightly notice 'something' between 40 and 50mph, I guess when the gear was changing. A little jump maybe. Very slight and not every time. I went to Auto Zone, they did their computer thing and here's what it says:
Definition
TCC stuck off
Explanation
TCC commanded on and the ECM detected the TCC slip higher than limits
Probable cause
1. TCC solenoid failure
2. Open or short circuit condition
3. Blocked passage in transmission
4. Check transmission range switch for proper operation.
So I guess there is a problem with the transmission after all!!!!!!!! I've just emailed the guy I bought it from on Craigslist to ask if he knows if the transmission was ever flushed or fluid changed. Don't know if he'll reply. I've been told if you flush transmission you have a 50/50 chance it will make more problems. But that if it has been flushed before it shouldn't or is less likely. I have 4 days left of this road trip till I get to NY and don't want to do that now!!!
The guy we're staying with knows about cars and says he'll take a look at it and take it for a drive. What should I do??? We're in Jacksonville and tomorrow drive to North Carolina 5 hrs away.
First off don't panic. If he knows a little about cars have him check the tcc connection. If not have a transmission shop check it for you. There is a big possibility it might have just come loose from a speed bump or car wash. I've seen instances where the plug was loose. Might be an easy fix, hopefully. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.Plarka wrote:So now I'm on the road, driving to NY from Florida and the check engine light comes on. (2005 Pontiac Vibe 176,000 miles, bought 2 months ago) I did slightly notice 'something' between 40 and 50mph, I guess when the gear was changing. A little jump maybe. Very slight and not every time. I went to Auto Zone, they did their computer thing and here's what it says:
Definition
TCC stuck off
Explanation
TCC commanded on and the ECM detected the TCC slip higher than limits
Probable cause
1. TCC solenoid failure
2. Open or short circuit condition
3. Blocked passage in transmission
4. Check transmission range switch for proper operation.
So I guess there is a problem with the transmission after all!!!!!!!! I've just emailed the guy I bought it from on Craigslist to ask if he knows if the transmission was ever flushed or fluid changed. Don't know if he'll reply. I've been told if you flush transmission you have a 50/50 chance it will make more problems. But that if it has been flushed before it shouldn't or is less likely. I have 4 days left of this road trip till I get to NY and don't want to do that now!!!
The guy we're staying with knows about cars and says he'll take a look at it and take it for a drive. What should I do??? We're in Jacksonville and tomorrow drive to North Carolina 5 hrs away.
Are you a quick learner? If so, yes you can. Go to Youtube and search for: eric the carguy auto electric basicsPlarka wrote:Is checking the connectors something I can do? I couldn't find a youtube video on it. Everyone says my transmission fluid is dirty, but one guy did say at least you can still see some red. And it doesn't smell bad or burnt.
Hilarious.vibrologist wrote:This mechanic is full of it! He is the proverbial bovine scatologist
No, you wanted to know how to chase electrical problems. A transmission range sensor is an electrical device. So is a shift solenoid.Also, I'm watching the video you mentioned vibrologist, and it's about the battery, alternator and starter. But my problem is the transmission, right?
Awesome! What about changing the filter? I've heard it's not much good changing the oil if you're not going to change the filter.Salsa Guy wrote:Don't flush the Tranny or run any chemicals in it!! You want a Fluid change over and is a simple process. Just disconnect the transmission return line from the radiator and transmission. Connect a hose to the fitting on the radiator and put into a 5 gallon bucket. Connect the Transmission side with another hose with a funnel on the end. Start the engine and pour fresh transmission fluid in the funnel. When the fluid coming out and going into the bucket is clean shut the engine down. Reconnect the transmission and radiator line. Start engine and check the fluid level adjust as needed through the dip stick fill port. It you have to much fluid disconnect the radiator line and let it drain out some from both sides. It's best to have 2 people one to dump fluid in and one to start/stop the engine and check fluid color. I'm thinking the it's about 1.5 gallons you'll need
Edit: It might be closer to 2.5 gallons
You basically described a flush. That is what a flushing machine does.Salsa Guy wrote:Don't flush the Tranny or run any chemicals in it!! You want a Fluid change over and is a simple process. Just disconnect the transmission return line from the radiator and transmission. Connect a hose to the fitting on the radiator and put into a 5 gallon bucket. Connect the Transmission side with another hose with a funnel on the end. Start the engine and pour fresh transmission fluid in the funnel. When the fluid coming out and going into the bucket is clean shut the engine down. Reconnect the transmission and radiator line. Start engine and check the fluid level adjust as needed through the dip stick fill port. It you have to much fluid disconnect the radiator line and let it drain out some from both sides. It's best to have 2 people one to dump fluid in and one to start/stop the engine and check fluid color. I'm thinking the it's about 1.5 gallons you'll need
Edit: It might be closer to 2.5 gallons
Correct. You want a new filter. You also want to make sure they change the filter seal inside.Plarka wrote:Awesome! What about changing the filter? I've heard it's not much good changing the oil if you're not going to change the filter.Salsa Guy wrote:Don't flush the Tranny or run any chemicals in it!! You want a Fluid change over and is a simple process. Just disconnect the transmission return line from the radiator and transmission. Connect a hose to the fitting on the radiator and put into a 5 gallon bucket. Connect the Transmission side with another hose with a funnel on the end. Start the engine and pour fresh transmission fluid in the funnel. When the fluid coming out and going into the bucket is clean shut the engine down. Reconnect the transmission and radiator line. Start engine and check the fluid level adjust as needed through the dip stick fill port. It you have to much fluid disconnect the radiator line and let it drain out some from both sides. It's best to have 2 people one to dump fluid in and one to start/stop the engine and check fluid color. I'm thinking the it's about 1.5 gallons you'll need
Edit: It might be closer to 2.5 gallons