Hey, people knowledgable about car mechanics and transmissions and stuff like that...

[Joe Nerve]

I'm in need of some guidance.

Transmission on my 2001 Hyundai Tiburon is in bad shape. Check engine light comes on every now and then and my regular mechanic gave me a list of the codes.

All I hear is horror stories regarding getting transmissions fixed. People tell me there are no guarantees (my mechanic even said that), and I'm not too sure what to do. I like the car and it's in otherwise pretty good shape.

In short the problem is this. Sometimes on the highway it doesn't kick into 4th gear. I have get off the highway, stop and restart the car and then it's fine. It slips sometimes when I get past 55 mph and accellerate. It's getting worse too, it suddenly revs high, I have to let off the gas and then it goes back to normal. When I stop for a light I feel the transmission kind of "thunk" and the car jerks forward a bit upon stopping. That's the best description I can give of what it's doing.

Any suggestions? ...and how do I best go about taking this to a repair shop without getting raked over the coals, spending thousands, and winding up with the same problems after they do the repairs.

Your advice is appreciated.

[Relic]

Maybe not the most helpful of responses I'm sure, but I would just consider getting another car.... once you start sinking cash into this stuff it's just a pain in the arse. I've been there. Transmissions, head gaskets you name it.

Edit - just to elaborate, once a car reaches a certain age and condition, it potentially becomes a money pit. (which is what I've experienced far too many times) Stuff wears out and will need to be addressed. You'll change the tranny, then the head gasket goes, you pay $ fix that, then the bearings go, you fix that and then another thing goes and so on. It's just easier getting a new or newer used car. Thats' what I mean.

[Joe Nerve]

That was absolutely a consderation, but the car only has 70,000 miles on it, and is in great shape otherwise. I'm hoping the transmission problems can be fixed for under 2K. If I bought myself a new used car and spent less than 5K I'm going to probably get a bunch of someone elses problems. Even with dropping more than that I'm probably not going to find any car that's problem free. Me thinks this is going to be the better investment to make.

[MatticusMania]

Transmissions repairs can get pretty pricey. Years ago I had to have my transmission fixed on my 93 Mazda 626, cost $2300. That could have had something to do with Mazda's rotary transmission. I had problems very similar to what you describe, except for me it was my 2nd gear, and not 4th. From what you describe, sounds like your gear is slipping and you might need to have it rebuilt.

Take note though, Im not great with cars and could be wrong.

[Relic]

I know what you mean but if you go to the right dealership you can even get something with a warranty and such.
You're not too far from South Brunswick in north Jersey - take it to the Brad Benson Hyundai and trade it on on a newer used car. They gave me an insane deal on a newer used car. 4 years later it's still going strong without missing a beat.
That's just based on my experience.

I can certainly understand wanting to just get a particular car fixed though, as I said I've been there. I had a little Honda hatchback years ago that I loved and didnt want to get rid of. It was small and perfect for getting around in NYC or Philly plus I could fit my bass cabs and a metric ton of shite in the back.. I kept on fixing that thing until there were no original parts left! It really did just get to be a pain in the butt though. It was in the shop for something new every month.

[guroove]

Check your transmission fluid level. Make sure you use the correct spec stuff. The spec should be in your owner's manual. A LOT of transmission problems can be corrected with a fluid top off or change. This can be a DIY job. If you are scared to do it, PM and I can help.

[sloasdaylight]

+1 to what guroove said. Make sure your fluids are topped off. If not, it sounds like what Matticus said, where your gears are slipping, which is a pretty suck thing to have happen to you.

[Joe Nerve]

Originally Posted by guroove

Check your transmission fluid level. Make sure you use the correct spec stuff. The spec should be in your owner's manual. A LOT of transmission problems can be corrected with a fluid top off or change. This can be a DIY job. If you are scared to do it, PM and I can help.

Thanks for the help offer. Checked the fluid already though. Actually should check it again as it's been a while... was perfect when the troubles all began.

[guroove]

Do you know when the last time you had the transmission fluid changed was? Also, did you check the transmission fluid level with the engine running, on level ground, and transmission warmed up?

If you take it to a transmission shop, they will want to remove and rebuild it, which will cost well over $1000. Try the cheap fixes first. Whatever you do, don't pour any kind of "transmission fix" into it, unless you are trying to postpone an inevitable transmission failure.

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

+1 on making sure the fluid is not old and dirty and is at the right level (and the transmission filter is still good, if it has a replaceable one).

What are the codes that your mechanic gave you?

[Joe Nerve]

I've been holding out on the repair with the hopes that it wouldn't get worse. I'm at the point where I'm feeling it's gonna go soon. It's slipping a lot. Every time I hit the highway.

My mechanic gave me these codes:

PO455
PO717
PO734
P1624

Said they mean this:

Gear #2 ratio incorrect
Gear #3 ration incorrect
Gear #4 ratio incorroect
Turbine input speed sensor (something? can't understand what he wrote at the end of this)

[MadMan118]

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

I've been holding out on the repair with the hopes that it wouldn't get worse. I'm at the point where I'm feeling it's gonna go soon. It's slipping a lot. Every time I hit the highway.

My mechanic gave me these codes:

PO455
PO717
PO734
P1624

Said they mean this:

Gear #2 ratio incorrect
Gear #3 ration incorrect
Gear #4 ratio incorroect
Turbine input speed sensor (something? can't understand what he wrote at the end of this)

Your auto trans is most likely computer controlled and so it would appear that for some gears 2-4 aren't bringadjusting correctly. This could be caused from a number of problems. IME its been the torque converter, followed by the computer as the two leading causes of that problem.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

Gear #2 ratio incorrect
Gear #3 ration incorrect
Gear #4 ratio incorroect
Turbine input speed sensor (something? can't understand what he wrote at the end of this)

I think you need a new tranny...

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

I've been holding out on the repair with the hopes that it wouldn't get worse. I'm at the point where I'm feeling it's gonna go soon. It's slipping a lot. Every time I hit the highway.

My mechanic gave me these codes:

PO455
PO717
PO734
P1624

Said they mean this:

Gear #2 ratio incorrect
Gear #3 ration incorrect
Gear #4 ratio incorroect
Turbine input speed sensor (something? can't understand what he wrote at the end of this)

P0455 = "Evaporative Emission Control System Purge Control Valve Circuit Shorted," meaning a problem in the system that diverts fuel vapors from the tank to be burned in the engine instead of vented to the air. That problem is separate from the transmission. A loose fuel filler cap can cause odd evap system faults, but I don't think this is a likely one.

P0717 = "Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit No Signal," meaning a speed sensor on the transmission is bad or has a bad electrical connection.

P0734 = "Gear 4 Incorrect ratio," which I think would typically mean some slippage in 4th gear, but it might be caused by erroneous speed information from the P0717 error above. Often one failure will cause fault codes in multiple other places.

P1624 = The transmission control module has signaled the engine control unit to turn on the "check engine" light. There's some more on that here: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Hyundai-R...4-andp1624.htm
It was probably triggered by P0717 and P0734.

I'd make sure the fluid and everything was fine and then look into that speed sensor. It might need replacement, or it might've gotten unplugged, or a wire broke or got pinched, etc. It might not be that expensive to fix.

And then look into that evap system problem. If the code was reported as "intermittent," I'd just clear the fault and see if it returns.

[Mike N]

Originally Posted by Bob Lee (QSC)

I'd make sure the fluid and everything was fine and then look into that speed sensor. It might need replacement, or it might've gotten unplugged, or a wire broke or got pinched, etc. It might not be that expensive to fix.

+1. Go after the speed sensor problem first. If the P0734 code returns you may have burned the fourth gear clutches (which are very small in a Hyundai) , and they're replaceable without pulling the trans out of the car. Pull the end cover, change the clutches, steels and the seals.

Be warned if the thrust bearings got eaten up as well you'll be pulling the trans and replacing it, as the metal shavings will probably be swimming around all over the inside of your transmission.

[Joe Nerve]

Alright... so here's the deal...

I checked the fluid again and it was fine. Don't know enough to check any of the other stuff out, so I said my prayers and took the car to a transimission guy how came highly recommended.

He told me the problems the codes were showing wering incredibly common with hyundais. So common he had the replacement parts in stock. I know there's truth in the commonality of it because my last hyundai did the same thing, and I was told the same thing by a mechanic back then. Totaled that car before I ever had to fix the transmission however.

Anyhoo... he gave me what seemed like a sincere speech about how he could fix it, but unfortunately he couldn't promise that 6 months from now I still need a new transmission. Said however that he believed it would be fine. I trusted him, can't say why as I rarely trust anyone.

Best part is he said it's gonna cost me $350. $350!!!!!!! I was ready to shell out $1500 with no guarantees. I'm happy for now. Hopefully the updates will sustain my happiness. I was told the car will be ready tomorrow evening.

Meee fingers are very crossed.

[DigMe]

hey, Joe, don't Hyundais have a 10 year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty? Or did they not have that warranty back in 2001?

bc

[Jay Ralston]

When you say you are checking your transmission fluid, how are you doing so? Is the vehicle off when your checking it or is it running at operating temperatures and in neutral?

[Joe Nerve]

Originally Posted by Jay Ralston

When you say you are checking your transmission fluid, how are you doing so? Is the vehicle off when your checking it or is it running at operating temperatures and in neutral?

Hyundais still have the warranty, I bought used though and it's not transferrable.

I checked it hot in neutral. Says to do so on the stick. That sounds perverted.

[hover]

Originally Posted by DigMe

hey, Joe, don't Hyundais have a 10 year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty? Or did they not have that warranty back in 2001?

bc

I WAS JUST ABOUT TO POST THIS! Good call Brad! I thought their latter reputation was built on that tenet.