A606 Transmission Troubles

[Tim N.]

My '97 Intrepid has 165K on it and its third transmission. All three
were installed before it had 50K on it.

While passing a car the other day it down shifted and the engine
reved. The check engine light came on and the OBD is showing codes 12,
45, and 55. The transmission will shift into second for a while but
then down shifts to first. It has plenty of fluid and does not smell
too burnt. All mechanics I have talked to say it needs to be replaced.
But I have a few questions first:

1. Could this be a controller problem and not the tranny?

2. Could a flush and a filter change fix it?

3. Are any of the on-line tranny rebuilders better than the next?

4. What is the OBD code 45?

Thanks for the help.

Tim

 

[news.slurp.net]

The code 45 is internal TCM. This means that the TCM is reporting internal
errors. If all wiring checks out good then the TCM needs to be replaced. The
code 55 is a ratio error and the code 12 is a battery was disconnected.

The first problem to deal with should be the TCM issue. This may correct the
Ratio error.


Tom

 

[Richard Benner Jr]

The most probable cause of a string of three transmissions before 50K like
this is:

First transmission experiences a minor failure, e.g. the input speed
sensor. EITHER driver blithely drives it in "limp to shop" mode, cooking
the rest of the transmission, OR trans tech improperly diagnoses it.
"Remanufactured" transmission gets installed. Remanufactured piece of shit
fails in one or more ways, replaced by another remanufactured piece of
shit.



What do you mean it doesn't smell "too" burnt? It shouldn't smell burnt at
all!


Then you're going to the wrong mechanics. What's called for here is
proper diagnostics to determine the cause of the misbehavior, not a
3-minute chitchat on the phone. And anyone claiming without doing a full
diagnostic that the transmission needs to be replaced is lazy and/or
incompetent.


Yep, could be.


Nope, something's wrong.


Find a local independent (not SCAAMCO!) transmission shop.

I agree with you Daniel,and I REALLY LOVE the :

<<Find a local independent (not SCAAMCO!) transmission shop.>>