Transmission replacement cost? 03 Cruiser

[king100]

Hello All,

My transmission has been acting funky, it is having trouble going into first gear. Engine light and trac light is on. I have yet to see anyone else in the 03-05 Cruiser have any sort of transmission issue. I forgot to take down the code he got with the scanner.
I'm assuming its shot, because I brought it by a shop and they said that I probably need to replace it and its a 99% chance that it's the transmission and can't be the solenoids.

Thanks

 

[awesomeissquid]

I would check the fluid level first and maybe do a drain and fill to see if the correct level eliminates the issue.

 

[SmoothLC]

Hello All,

My transmission has been acting funky, it is having trouble going into first gear. Engine light and trac light is on. I have yet to see anyone else in the 03-05 Cruiser have any sort of transmission issue. I forgot to take down the code he got with the scanner.
I'm assuming its shot, because I brought it by a shop and they said that I probably need to replace it and its a 99% chance that it's the transmission and can't be the solenoids.

Thanks

Get the correct code and post it here in this thread.

Lots of knowledgeable people here on the board may be able to help you out.

For a 19 year old vehicle it's probably already been identified and troubleshot.

 

[SteveH]

@king100 - number of miles? fluid color? last trans filter change date? Code number?

Need more info. All shops will tell you that you need a new transmission.

 

[chrisbruck]

Yes, pull the codes before doing anything... same sorta thing happened to mine. Turned out I needed a new shift solenoid only and not a whole new tranny. Pretty easy and I replaced on my own. Some places (including the dealer) don't want to mess with them and rather swap it all out.

 

[hoser]

When you say you brought it to a shop, what kind of shop? General mechanic shops don't venture inside transmissions. I would take it to a specialist. For electrical gremlins, I would also check for rodents and wiring.

 

[king100]

Hello All,

My transmission has been acting funky, it is having trouble going into first gear. Engine light and trac light is on. I have yet to see anyone else in the 03-05 Cruiser have any sort of transmission issue. I forgot to take down the code he got with the scanner.
I'm assuming its shot, because I brought it by a shop and they said that I probably need to replace it and its a 99% chance that it's the transmission and can't be the solenoids.

Thanks

Updated Info -

I purchased the vehicle a month ago.
Codes:
P0776 - Pressure Control Solenoid "B" Performance / Stuck Off
P0974 - Shift Solenoid "A" Control Circuit High
P0986 - Shift Solenoid "E" Control Circuit High

Fluid Color is red.

On the Carfax, the last transmission service was at 60k miles in 2010. The Fluid looks way to new to be that old. I'm trying to contact the previous owner to see if he got it serviced.

 

[king100]

When you say you brought it to a shop, what kind of shop? General mechanic shops don't venture inside transmissions. I would take it to a specialist. For electrical gremlins, I would also check for rodents and wiring.

Transmission shop

 

[cruisin4bruisins]

Updated Info -

I purchased the vehicle a month ago.
Codes:
P0776 - Pressure Control Solenoid "B" Performance / Stuck Off
P0974 - Shift Solenoid "A" Control Circuit High
P0986 - Shift Solenoid "E" Control Circuit High

Fluid Color is red.

On the Carfax, the last transmission service was at 60k miles in 2010. The Fluid looks way to new to be that old. I'm trying to contact the previous owner to see if he got it serviced.

on a vehicle that old you should really never see red trans fluid. I bet someone knew about the trans problem and tried covering it up with new fluid and possibly additives. I would definitely shop around to different, highly rated transmission shops, Don't go to a regular mechanic and definitely don't go to Toyota, both will try and sell you a new transmission. How many miles currently on it? I'm hoping its something fixable, I'm praying for you lol

 

[king100]

on a vehicle that old you should really never see red trans fluid. I bet someone knew about the trans problem and tried covering it up with new fluid and possibly additives. I would definitely shop around to different, highly rated transmission shops, Don't go to a regular mechanic and definitely don't go to Toyota, both will try and sell you a new transmission. How many miles currently on it? I'm hoping its something fixable, I'm praying for you lol

It’s not red… more like pinkish. No burnt or metal smell to the fluid.
184k on it.
I got it inspected when purchasing and they said everything was fine. Who can reject a face like this?

 

[3_puppies]

some places go to worst case scenario first
184k miles, there should not be an issue, unless abused alot

trouble going into first gear? not sure what that means, does that mean starting in second?
did the shop write the code down on the paperwork?

 

[MongooseGA]

Question:

Weren't the 03+ trannies dipstickless?

 

[2001LC]

It’s not red… more like pinkish. No burnt or metal smell to the fluid.
184k on it.
I got it inspected when purchasing and they said everything was fine. Who can reject a face like this?

View attachment 3647558

View attachment 3647559

? a few things in your picture, that shows your A/T fluid is nearly a qt low:
How is you have coolant on top of radiator support, in front of battery?
What temperature was A/T fluid at, when checked the level?
Was engine running and did you shift between all gears, when you check the level?

 

[king100]

some places go to worst case scenario first
184k miles, there should not be an issue, unless abused alot

trouble going into first gear? not sure what that means, does that mean starting in second?
did the shop write the code down on the paperwork?

It takes a second to engage when stopped and the engine just revs when going downhill.

 

[king100]

? a few things in your picture, that shows your A/T fluid is nearly a qt low:
How is you have coolant on top of radiator support, in front of battery?
What temperature was A/T fluid at, when checked the level?
Was engine running and did you shift between all gears, when you check the level?

You know I just realized that I replaced the radiator and lost a bunch of trans fluid and I think that is the problem! wow...

 

[2001LC]

2003 LC/LX470 ATF is check at A/T #1 of 158f to 176F, Toyota IV ATF. We don't know what anyone may have put in A/T over the years. So I do a full 12 qt flush. I've been using the new; Mobil MV full synthetic ATF It's rated for Toyota II, III, IV & WS.

I see many issue due to level and or mixing ATF brands/manufactures. It is just one more reason to do a full 12 qt flush.

 

[king100]

2003 LC/LX470 ATF is check at A/T #1 of 158f to 176F, Toyota IV ATF. We don't know what anyone may have put in A/T over the years. So I do a full 12 qt flush. I've been using the new; Mobil MV full synthetic ATF It's rated for Toyota II, III, IV & WS.

I see many issue due to level and or mixing ATF brands/manufactures. It is just one more reason to do a full 12 qt flush.

I took your advice and took it to a Toyota dealer for a flush.
They said that there was no metal shavings or anything like that in the pan.
It’s shifting wonderfully - no skipping or anything like that.
Do I need to have the engine light cleared or will it automatically clear?
Thanks

 

[excessive]

so the problem was caused by the wrong fluid type? That's great news. You will probably need to use Techstream to clear the codes from the Transmission ECU.

 

[2001LC]

I took your advice and took it to a Toyota dealer for a flush.
They said that there was no metal shavings or anything like that in the pan.
It’s shifting wonderfully - no skipping or anything like that.
Do I need to have the engine light cleared or will it automatically clear?
Thanks

Read codes and then clear. Dealership should have done this! So they can say no metal in pan, but did not clear codes.

I can't stress this enough.
Do full 12 qt. flushes, with the correct ATF. Unless you've owned the vehicle from miles one, and absolute certain the same fluid the factory installed, used for every dain & fill.

 

[studawg]

Question:

Weren't the 03+ trannies dipstickless?

Im pretty sure that 2003 UZJ100 automatic was the last year to have a transmission dipstick. I know that was the first year of the 5 speed.