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Brand New Transmission-Now trouble shifting to reverse


garb0088
02-15-2011, 02:22 AM
My transmission gave way a little over a week ago, and I brought it in to get fixed at a local auto repair shop. They put in a brand new transmission, which highly improved my old problem, but now it takes me almost 5 tries to get my car to actually go into reverse. (If I shift to reverse and attempt to accelerate, it just revs at me/goes nowhere unless I luckily get it in gear.) I have had this vehicle for a few years and never had a problem like this.

I brought it back in and asked about it, and the guy said the gears under my shifter were being worn down and it must have been a coincidence it happened at the same time as my transmission was put in. I don't believe this is the problem as it was perfectly fine before bringing it in, but I don't know the most about cars.

Any input on this situation would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

viggy58
02-15-2011, 03:23 AM
If it is under warranty, i would demand they replace the trans again, or fix the problem.

it almost sounds like a shift cable issue, which would be their job to properly adjust when they replaced the trans. document everything, and maybe take it to another shop for a second opinion on the current problem. it may be worth the diagnostic fee if you can prove that the shop that did the install is at fault.

btw... year, make, model, is always helpful... 4x4 (if so, pushbutton, auto, etc?) column shift or floor?

the only time i've seen a car "miss gears" like that was when a transmission mount was broken, or the cable wasn't secured correctly. that allows the cable to move at the wrong intervals, causing gear selection to be off. how are the forward gears? does the dash indicator match the phtsical position of the shifter?

MT-2500
02-15-2011, 06:15 AM
My transmission gave way a little over a week ago, and I brought it in to get fixed at a local auto repair shop. They put in a brand new transmission, which highly improved my old problem, but now it takes me almost 5 tries to get my car to actually go into reverse. (If I shift to reverse and attempt to accelerate, it just revs at me/goes nowhere unless I luckily get it in gear.) I have had this vehicle for a few years and never had a problem like this.

I brought it back in and asked about it, and the guy said the gears under my shifter were being worn down and it must have been a coincidence it happened at the same time as my transmission was put in. I don't believe this is the problem as it was perfectly fine before bringing it in, but I don't know the most about cars.

Any input on this situation would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

As viggy58 said.

The shop is giving you a bunch of bull about gears under shifter.

The shifter is straight cabel push and pull to transmission.

If the shop sold it to you and installed it is is up to them to fix it on there dime.

Unually no reverse is internal transmission problems.

There is no such thing as a brand New transmissions.
You can Only get used or rebuilt or repaired.
Did they repair yours orput in a used or rebuilt transmission.
What was the price range of the transmission?
As asked any warranty on it?

If you would give us make and modle and year and engie and transmission and 2 or 4W info we might be able to help more.

If 1993 or newer the transmission is computer controled and a transmission capable scanner would help point to problem.

As the shop to put it it on there scanner and see what shows up.
Ask for and.
Post back and codes and shift data and there readings.

garb0088
02-15-2011, 09:36 AM
If it is under warranty, i would demand they replace the trans again, or fix the problem.

it almost sounds like a shift cable issue, which would be their job to properly adjust when they replaced the trans. document everything, and maybe take it to another shop for a second opinion on the current problem. it may be worth the diagnostic fee if you can prove that the shop that did the install is at fault.

btw... year, make, model, is always helpful... 4x4 (if so, pushbutton, auto, etc?) column shift or floor?

the only time i've seen a car "miss gears" like that was when a transmission mount was broken, or the cable wasn't secured correctly. that allows the cable to move at the wrong intervals, causing gear selection to be off. how are the forward gears? does the dash indicator match the phtsical position of the shifter?

Thank you so much for the input.

It's a '96 Bravada. It is a pushbutton shifter.

When I shift to Drive it doesn't click into gear like it use to. When I put it in drive, the little dash doesn't always end up right in the "D" position like it use to. I also am now able to push the shifter forward without pushing the side button on the shifter first, this had never happened before.

We'll be calling them today to call them out on the bull and see what we can get done. The transmission is under a 3 year warranty from the dealership they purchased it from, so I may just end up bringing it there and seeing what they can do for me and prove it wasn't a "coincidence" and the gears all of a sudden being worn out..

garb0088
02-15-2011, 09:54 AM
He gave me the options of the used transmission, from a scrap yard, for $1,950 including a one-year warranty: He didn't know the mileage for this one. The other option was $3,100 for a new transmission along with a 3-year warranty. I was originally going to opt for the used, but my mom told me just to go with the "new" one.

MT-2500
02-15-2011, 10:08 AM
He gave me the options of the used transmission, from a scrap yard, for $1,950 including a one-year warranty: He didn't know the mileage for this one. The other option was $3,100 for a new transmission along with a 3-year warranty. I was originally going to opt for the used, but my mom told me just to go with the "new" one.

You made a good move on getting the 3100$ even at a steep price.

As much as they charged for it they should take care of it on there dime.

But it sounds like they sold you a GM factory rebuilt that has the 3 year 50K warranty good at any GM dealer.
You can not buy a brand new transmission or transmission converter.

The gm warranty will not cover improper installation or shift cable problems.

Is it a 2W or 4W?

Let us know how it goes.

garb0088
02-15-2011, 10:16 AM
It's 4WD.

The transmission has the 3 year, 100k mile warranty. You're correct about it being good at any GM dealership.

Hoping to find out more today, my dad will be calling them later, so hopefully his knowledge will go a little better when talking with the guy.

If anything, I think bringing it in for a diagnostic test at a different location known for being reliable sound like a good option. Just frustrating they couldn't do the job right the first time after we had paid so much.

I'll post an update later. Thanks for the help!

MT-2500
02-15-2011, 11:47 AM
It's 4WD.

The transmission has the 3 year, 100k mile warranty. You're correct about it being good at any GM dealership.

Hoping to find out more today, my dad will be calling them later, so hopefully his knowledge will go a little better when talking with the guy.

If anything, I think bringing it in for a diagnostic test at a different location known for being reliable sound like a good option. Just frustrating they couldn't do the job right the first time after we had paid so much.

I'll post an update later. Thanks for the help!

If the shop that put it in is not going to do anything.
I would just get it into a good GM dealer and let them test it out for you.
Good luck

garb0088
02-22-2011, 12:41 AM
Finally remembered to give an update.

After driving my vehicle for a little over a week now, shifting into reverse has only been a problem once. I don't know if it needed time to be worked in a little before working properly or what the deal was.

My dad called the shop and they were supposedly suppose to call me, but never did. Since it has been working fine, I figure I don't want to bother with the hassle it would be to bring it in and fight over what's wrong if it's no longer a problem. If I notice the problem persisting/coming up again in the next week, I'll bring it back to the shop.


Thanks for all the feedback.

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