Is repair estimate reasonable? (to fix pcs solenoid)

[Greg5150]

Question for the board. My 1997 Park ave needs to have the PCS solenoid replaced in the trans. I got an estimate from the local GM dealer to do the job for $1350. They will replace solenoid and the valve body. Is this reasonable or should I shop for a better price - thanks

[HondaManDan]

That's a tad steep... however GM guys get 70 bucks an hour.

Take it to a local shop, go to a few if you can... see what your best option is.

Also, see if you can get the parts themselves as cheap as possible through a parts store or online retailer... See if GM or a shop will install the parts if you buy them from a seperate source. (Most of the time they will, however they wont be able to guarantee their work because you didn't purchace the part through them.)

It's worth your money to shop around. Even try to go out of town or find a Transmission specialist shop that can do the work.

Good luck!

Dan

[bigsky]

Greg...just wondering what your symptoms are. My 97 Park sometimes shifts hard, but the funny thing is, when I turn the car off (and open the front door), the transmission seems to reset or fix itself upon restarting. A previous owner had the pressure control solenoid (K6353) replaced at 56K (the car now has 130K). Thanks.

[Greg5150]

Most of the time the trans shifts too soft and other times it shifts very hard. It also set a code - P1811 I think, which indicates a delayed shift. When it shift soft I ease up on the gas between shifts to prevent excessive clutch wear.

[bigsky]

Originally Posted by Greg5150

Most of the time the trans shifts too soft and other times it shifts very hard. It also set a code - P1811 I think, which indicates a delayed shift. When it shift soft I ease up on the gas between shifts to prevent excessive clutch wear.

My transmission also set a P1811 (Maximum Adapt and Long Shift). It also set a "TCC Lockup Converter Stuck" once. Would be good to hear of your follow-up...I think our problems are the same.

[Greg5150]

As a follow-up I went to have a new solenoid & valve body installed, but when they pulled the pan the found a lot of debris. So, I got a new trans installed. It was a GM trans with 3 year 50K warranty. The entire job cost 3K. It was a lot of money, but the car drives better than it ever has & shift wonderfully.

[bigsky]

Greg....thanks for the follow-up. I have not done anything with mine, but did talk to a mechanic about replacing the pressure control solenoid. You have to drop the pan to do this...hopefully I am not looking at a new transmission. Enjoy that new transmission.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by bigsky

You have to drop the pan to do this...

You are aware the PCS solenoid is located under the side cover assembly?

Doing a PCS job is tedious and more than dropping the pan. The whole engine and autotransaxle are dropped intact on the subframe and tilted to access and remove the side cover assembly. With your mileage a rebuild or reman trans should be considered since the PCS solenoid was replaced by the prior owner.


PCS=EPC Solenoid

[bigsky]

bnaylor...Thanks...good to know. I have not done anything yet because the problem does not occur that often. The mechanic I talked to mentioned some type of solenoid (maybe was not the PCS) that was fairly easy to access, and another that was not (maybe the PCS). This stuff is way beyond my knowledge of automobiles. The tough decision is how much to invest in the car.

New issue...the windshield just cracked all the way across the other week. Lesson...get bad rock dings fixed and do not put the defroster on when it is below zero and you have rock dings.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by bigsky

bnaylor...Thanks...good to know. I have not done anything yet because the problem does not occur that often. The mechanic I talked to mentioned some type of solenoid (maybe was not the PCS) that was fairly easy to access, and another that was not (maybe the PCS). This stuff is way beyond my knowledge of automobiles. The tough decision is how much to invest in the car.

I've had PCS problems before. About all you can access by a pan drop is get to the screen filter, an accumlator and the pump. The P1811 DTC is common for a PCS problem and a positive indicator of a malfunctioning PCS solenoid on a 4T65E, RPO MN3 autotransaxle. It is a Type "C" DTC so when you turn ignition off the DTC will reset/clear and you're back to normal until the harsh shifting or whining starts up. P1811 commands high line pressure and disables shift adapts so the harsh shifting is the result. Annoying. About all I can recommend is add some Lubegard (8 oz.) tranny additive. May not help but it won't hurt either. It may smooth out some harsh shifting until you make a decision on what to do. Good luck.

Originally Posted by bigsky

New issue...the windshield just cracked all the way across the other week. Lesson...get bad rock dings fixed and do not put the defroster on when it is below zero and you have rock dings.

Last rock chip I got I was able to write down the 18 wheeler number and the 800 telephone number. It grew to about 12 inches. The trucking company replaced it free of charge. Hi temps in the Southwest don't help windshield chips/cracks either.

[bigsky]

bnaylor...Thanks once again for your input. I did try a "complete" $200 transmission flush just after Christmas, but the problem is still there. The shop did not say anything about debris in the pan so that may be a sign the transmission is not too far gone yet.

May try the Lubegard and I am tempted to just keep driving it as it is. However, I read somewhere that this will just "ruin" the transmission. Will consider a rebuild or reman (don't know what this is) transmission as you suggested...maybe even a new one as Greg.

Back to windshield...here in Montana they use quite a bit of sand on the snow and ice, especially in the hilly/mountainous areas (which I have to drive through regularly). But this brings up a reason I like the PA...size and weight. Problem is, the sand (and rocks) just beat your car. Annoying to say the least. And, Murphy's Law is still alive and well...talked with someone the other day who took their "garage queen" for a drive and ended up with a 6" target/bullseye in the windshield due to a rock.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by bigsky

bnaylor...Thanks once again for your input. I did try a "complete" $200 transmission flush just after Christmas, but the problem is still there. The shop did not say anything about debris in the pan so that may be a sign the transmission is not too far gone yet.

May try the Lubegard and I am tempted to just keep driving it as it is. However, I read somewhere that this will just "ruin" the transmission. Will consider a rebuild or reman (don't know what this is) transmission as you suggested...maybe even a new one as Greg.

Well, you might able able to save money and just go for another PCS solenoid. GM revised the PCS solenoid around the 2002 model year but the improved PCS is not backwards compatible to year model 2001 and below 4T65E autotransaxles. So even a replacement PCS is subject to subsequent failure like in your case.

To the best of my knowledge Lubegard will not damage the transmission. Same with other additives like Sea Foam or Lucas. Even tranny shops sell it.

Which tranny you get or what course of action is relative to how much money you are willing to spend. A rebuild like at Cottmans can cost around $2K or more, parts and labor. They replace certain components in your original transmission. Remanufactured transmissions are well under $1K with exchange but that does not include labor consisting of removing the old one and installation.

[ROBERTJ920]

On my 1998 Park Avenue Ultra the front wheels feel like they "grab" the pavement. Letting off the gas it stops and runs OK. It only happens occasionally and it first appeared after a transmission flush and major tune-up at 89,167 miles. I now have 93,371 miles. Dealer said I needed a "presure control solenoid" at a cost of about $600.

What are the consequences if I continue driving without the solenoid?

ROBERTJ920

[Greg5150]

$600 is a good price for that job. I had an estimate of $1100+ for the same job from by local Buick Dealer.

[ROBERTJ920]

Did you have that front wheel "grabbing" the pavement feeling?