My truck went into "limp" mode and I felt like I was towing a locomotive. Only two seconds from home so I coasted into the driveway. The MIL was lit so I pulled the code which was P1756 regarding the Governor Sensor. Had never had any problems with the tranny before this incident. Of course, I had to get on the forum and spent almost two hours researching the code. While searching I found an older post by Master Tech with instructions on how to perform a gear test by starting off in 1st, shifting into 2nd and then into Drive. I did this the next day and the truck did fine. No shifting problems, noises, etc. This made me feel better because I was afraid it might need a new tranny although this was not my biggest fear. Being told I needed to replace it when it didn't need to be replaced was my biggest fear (I've heard the stories).

So, having no choice, I had to get the truck to the transmission shop. I had it towed on a flatbed just to be on the safe side. I spoke with the mechanic and explained what happened, gave him the code and let him know the truck shifted fine during the "gear test". I told him I wanted a flush, the Governor Sensor and Governor Solenoid replaced along with a new filter and gasket (learned this on the forum ).

Well, guess what? The shop's secretary called today and said, "you need a new transmission". It would cost me $1700 to have it rebuilt. Now I'm scared because I know nothing about transmissions except checking the fluid. I have no idea what to ask the mechanic as far as how and why he came to his diagnosis and I'd like some answers before okaying this expense. I have some mechanical knowledge and do pretty good with maintenance and small repairs but I'm lost here. The secretary also told me the fluid was burnt but I had checked this the day before and it didn't smell burnt to me. It looked a bit dirty but it was red. It wasn't bright red but I didn't expect it to be because it hasn't been flushed since shortly before my husband died a few years ago.

I really need some guidance/info on talking with the mechanic. (A list of the correct questions with the correct answers would be great!!) Thank you in advance for any advice that would help me to find out if and why the tranny is bad before I spend lots of $$$$$$$$. Thanks, again!!

 

Tow it to another shop for a second opinion.

 

agreed, get a second opinion. Transmission shops are THE worst about ripping you off..mine's been rebuilt 3 times. Finally got a good shop 3rd try after asking in the racer's group instead of going off the yellow pages.

 

I'll say the same thing, get another opinion.

You may also find that MANY shops hate it when a customer comes in and appears to be knowledgeable about the problem and tells the shop how to fix it.

Let them diagnosis it, then hit them with what you know.

 

How many miles on the truck? Was the ATF and filter ever changed?

 

Thank you, very much, Oslarge, Magnethead, 00DakDan and Dodgevity for your replies!

Unfortunately, this is the only transmission shop around here so I can't take it elsewhere.

Also, I wasn't acting like a ”know it all” and I was really nice when requesting what I wanted to have done. We had a good conversation so I hope they wouldn't have gotten an attitude about this........ that would be crazy although I believe it's possible.

The truck only has 134,579 miles on it and has been well taken care of. The tranny fluid and filter were changed a little time before my husband passed away a few years ago. When I checked it, it was a little dirty but it was red a I didn't think it smelled burnt.

Thank you all again for your replies. I truly appreciate your taking the time to help me out!!

 

I hear you on the shop being the only one around. Do you have AAA membership? They can tow pretty far and it's covered. I'm just going to be frank and tell you that when many shops see a female coming, they start licking their lips. Worse yet, they think they have you over a barrel because it was towed there. The miles and the fact that it was somewhat maintained leads me to believe the issue might not be one that requires a replacement.

You can insist on the things you requested earlier but if they are scamming you, it might not be worth going further with them.

 

Thanks, Dodgevity, for your 2nd reply!!

You'll be happy to hear that I will be taking my truck out of that shop tomorrow. I went down yesterday to speak with the mechanic who told me I needed a rebuilt transmission. I asked him how he came to this diagnosis and he said, "When the code for the Governor sensor comes on, the tranny is no good. Dodge is known for this." I tried to ask him why he couldn't replace the Governor Sensor/Transducer and Solenoid, replace the filter and the gasket and see how that goes and he said, "that will be a waste of my time and your money because you'll be back in a few days needing a rebuilt tranny". Then he told me the fluid was burnt but I had just checked the fluid the day before and it was dirty but not burnt. Would burnt be jet black?

I called today with a couple of questions and the service man who answered the phone refused to ask the mechanic these questions. He said, "I can't ask him this stuff, he'll hit the roof". I then asked him if I could speak with the mechanic and he said, "it's not a good idea". WHAT????? You want me to spend $2,000 there but I can't ask any questions? That was it for me. I don't trust this shop at all! I'm going to bring the truck home, search for another shop and bring it there in the next couple of weeks. I'm going to take 00DakDan's advice also and let them diagnose the problem and then take it from there. This mechanic I've been dealing with seems like the type of person who would be upset that I requested what I would like to have done. I wasn't acting like a "know it all" or anything - just repeating what I learned on this forum Oh well, his loss!

Thanks, Dodgevity, for your help and advice. I certainly do appreciate it!!

 

SMH typical transmission shops. Make sure to leave a yelp or google review on the facility, too.

 

Sorry for the late response. Yeah, I'd drop that shop.


Fresh automatic transmission fluid (ATF) has a distinct - crisp bite to the smell. The best way to compare, would be for you to smell a fresh bottle then pull your dipstick and smell yours. Also, wipe the dipstick on a white napkin and observe the color. Fresh fluid is red in the bottle and appears pinkish on a napkin. If the fluid smells dull and is clear or light or dark brown, it's probably worn out. Worn out fluid smells more like engine oil... no crispness. Burnt fluid will smell burnt and appear darker. My bet is, it's probably not burnt. .


True story...

I have a female friend who depends on me as her mechanic, LOL. Done tons of work on her car. I had just changed her drive belt and tensioner which involved loosening a motor mount to extract it. Prior to doing the work, I noticed that the exhaust was loud when she first drove up and asked her if she noticed it. She said it happened right after she took it to a shop to change the catalytic converter. I realized right away that the shop had not changed the donut seal and that caused the leak. Told her to take it back.


She took the car back and they told her she needed motor mounts because the motor was shifting so much, it was breaking the seal in the exhaust. She called me at work while there and they proceeded to try and work me over on the phone. I was intimately familiar with car and knew that the motor mounts were not bad. The engine tilted only slightly when put in gear (normal) and there were no vibrations, etc when in drive. The shop owners (father and son team), insisted that the minute she left the shop, she'd be back because the seal would instantly break, due to the engine's excursions. I told them stop trying to sell her mounts and change the damned seal like they should have in the first place.


This went on and on. Finally they told me they were not going to do it because it was a waste of time and they didn't like my calling them dishonest. That changed to wanting to charge her for the seal, which should have been provided in the first place. She agreed to pay twenty bucks for the seal and we hung up. She called me back in ten minutes saying they had upped the price to $50. At that point, she left, frustrated. I called the shop back from and had a stern conversation with the son. Told him they were a bunch of crooks and it wasn't over. Ten minutes later the father calls me, now apologetic and agreed to change the seal for free. She returns and while there, the son basically scowled at her the whole time. That was eight months ago, and the car is still running quiet today.


She will never return to that shop and will tell everyone she knows to stay away.


Sorry for writing a book, but I hate it when shops try to take advantage of women.