Is my transmission failing?? please help!

[happymum17]

I have a 2004 mazda 3 and its almost at 138,000 km. I know I need to get a oil change, which I am doing this weekend, but I am worried my transmission is failing. I have no clue about car repair, so if anyone can help..it would be greatly appreciated!
I have an automatic with that cool standard option(lol..don't know what its called). When I keep it in auto...and start off driving, it all of a sudden revs up really quick and then back down again and then its fine for quite a while, then does it again(usually happens a few times during a one hour trip)Also...one time I put my breaks on a little sudden and my car stalled. Is this a serious thing, or does my car need a good tune up? Sorry to sound so ignorant..I'm a single mom with no clue about cars!! LOL

thanks in advance for any helpful advice!!

[FLIPDADY]

Bring it into the dealer and have them check it.

[3GFX]

Definitly take it to the dealer. I doubt its the transmission itself but it could be electronics, vacuum or maybe the torque converter.

[happymum17]

thank you so much! I am taking it in tommorow. When I was leaving work, I tried putting it in reverse, and it wouldn't go anywhere!! Thankfully after letting it warm up a bit, it finally went. It almost feels like the E brake is on, but its not. This sucks!

[Fuman]

if u are out of warranty, go to a trustworthy mechanic.
u'll likely get ass raped at the dealer.

[Flagrum_3]

I don't want to assume anything here but have you checked your transmission fluid level recently? It could just be low.

And please do yourself a favour and unless your going to someone you know and trust well, get atleast 2 opinions on the matter...you don't want to be dishing out for a new tranny if it doesn't need one, if you catch my meaning.


_3


,

[happymum17]

Yes..I will for sure get another opinion. The only reason why I thought of taking it right to the dealer is because since I deal with them all the time, they may do a payment plan for me if its really expensive. If I took it to another place, I would have no choice but to pay it all in full which I cannot do. Thanks so much for all of your help! :)

[mazda lover]

Yes..I will for sure get another opinion. The only reason why I thought of taking it right to the dealer is because since I deal with them all the time, they may do a payment plan for me if its really expensive. If I took it to another place, I would have no choice but to pay it all in full which I cannot do. Thanks so much for all of your help! :)

If you need a tranny rebuild maybe you can get a low mileage one from a scrap yard and have a garage replace it. just a thought..

[happymum17]

well...turns out its my transmission!!!!! I decided to stay with the dealer since I have dealt with them since I bought the car and they are very good to me. I called a bunch of places and got REALLY bad vibes from them all. I don't trust anyone but the dealer. very upsetting!

[3GFX]

Wow, did they say what was actually wrong?

[Flagrum_3]

Very upsetting! ...thats an understatement, 138k and the tranny is toast? I'd be very wary about that conclusion and hope all our three's don't have that kind of reliability, it would be very upsetting....I'd still take it in (not just phone) for a second opinion somewhere, before you give the dealer the ok on the job.


Where abouts are you located?, people on this board could know a good reputable shop in your area.


_3


.

[happymum17]

well...I called around a few places and all of them, including Mazda in Whitby is saying $2000-$3000!!
I just can't believe this!! They said there was no transmission fluid!!! I just can't figure out how this could be! Also, I checked my engine oil before taking it in, and that too was empty! I had the oil changed before the winter, so I do know I should have brought it in sooner, but EMPTY?? HOW ON EARTH!! I'm starting to wonder if someone tampered with my car????? Why couldn't I be rich!!!!!!

[3GFX]

Wow....have you ever had your transmission oil changed?

I'd go back to your last oil change place and cause a stir.

[happymum17]

I am going to call back tommorow. I did all my servicing at the same dealer, so they would have all records, plus I keep my receipts in my glove box. If it says they changed or checked the transmission fluid..I am going to for sure cause a stir and call Mazda Canada because somthing is not right! The other places I called said that until they actually take the tranny apart, they cannot tell me how much its going to be. Not one person said it would be less than $2000, so keeping it at Mazda is probably a wise choice since they know the cars better than anyone else.

[Flagrum_3]

I am going to call back tommorow. I did all my servicing at the same dealer, so they would have all records, plus I keep my receipts in my glove box. If it says they changed or checked the transmission fluid..I am going to for sure cause a stir and call Mazda Canada because somthing is not right! The other places I called said that until they actually take the tranny apart, they cannot tell me how much its going to be. Not one person said it would be less than $2000, so keeping it at Mazda is probably a wise choice since they know the cars better than anyone else.

Details are important,....NO FLUID? :whoa...Although, we're not aware of what mileage you put on since your last servicing...I would and am suspecting (if the mileage is less than 8k), that when they last serviced your vehicle they totally screwed up somehow!!...Barring a catastrophic failure of some kind, and I would think you or anyone would have noticed the oil and fluid loss (because that would leave major spillage), I can't see how both oil and tranny could be empty...so I would conclude that your trusty dealer most likely made a major error and did not check all levels properly during servicing.Also, I would think if you have records prooving the service should have been done then you literally have them by the balls....Definitely get Mazda Canada involved and secure those service records, and keep us posted.

You didn't happen to run over anything big lately by chance?


_3


.

[KenYork]

no oil light?

[happymum17]

I will do that for sure(calling Mazda Canada). No oil light, no nothing!! I didn't notice any major spillage and I didn't run over anything. Just so unbelievable!!!! Thanks for all your comments!!! :) I will keep you posted!!

[mazda lover]

what do you mean by empty? any oil showing on any of the dip sticks?
any knocking from the engine?