new member, new transmission

kimberly1050 · May 18, 2015

I have a 2009 Chevy Tahoe, 93,000 miles. Have had issues with the cd player not shutting off, cd getting stuck, etc. Happens so seldom I didn't really worry about it. Left home with a squeal in my brakes, husband said may be a twig, just keep an eye (ear) on it. Drove 500 miles for work, squealed only when starting out.

Five weeks later, ready to head home, thought I would get my brakes checked. Squeal wasn't any worse, brakes weren't spongy, no apparent problem, but wanted them checked. At this time, 'something' wasn't quite right. Took it to a recommended tire/brake shop, they brought me back to my motel and stated brakes didn't feel like anything was wrong but they would check. Well......back brakes were metal on metal, front pads had probably 4-6 months left. Needed to replace rotors and pads on back, told them to replace pads on the front as well. When they picked me up so I could retrieve my car, the repairman advised that when he started my car, a CD ejected from the player, he didn't touch anything(I didn't know one was in there!)

Got my car back, the next day, RPM's went to over 3 on highway, started shutting down. Called tire shop, they did nothing to cause it. Sat on the side of the highway for a few minutes, started it back up, drove back to my room with no problem.

The next morning, went to start my car, dead battery. Got a jump, no problems but suspected my CD player was again acting up. The following evening, went to start my car, dead battery. Called AAA for a jump, then looked up and took out fuse to 'audio'. That solved my problem with killing my battery, but it also stopped ALL audio-radio, blinkers, door open, etc---I thought I could deal with it, I wanted to get home.

Loaded my car to depart-something still not right but didn't know what. Called my husband, he advised to take it to an electric shop and get it taken care of before I got on the road. I knew he was right, but sure didn't want to. Called the tire/brake shop for recommendations of good shop and took it there. They said my player was pulling too many amps, it needs replaced, but that was the least of my worries. He said the computer codes read that I had no 1st and 4th gears, I have major problems with my transmission. Asked if I could drive it 500 miles home, owner of the shop said 'maybe'. Asked for recommended transmission shop, From the time I dropped my car off at the electrical shop, they took me back to my room--4 miles away, they went back to the shop, then back to pick me up, my car went from 'something isn't quite right' to 'what the hell did you do to my car'.........it was barely engaging in to gear. There was no way for me to drive it home. According to the electric mechanic, when the transmission starts to go, it goes fast. He was putting it in 'D' to 'M' until it 'engaged', when it 'engaged', it jumped really bad.

Took it to a small transmission shop, they drove it and stated they suspected the torque converter 'fell apart', clogged my transmission filter cutting off fluid, and burnt up my transmission. ?????????? Called the dealer, and of course my warranty expired in Sept 2014. Cost of a rebuilt transmission $2950, rebuilt in-house, estimated time--at least 3 days. Three days later(Friday), got a call saying it wasn't going back together 'as easily' as they had thought it would, would probably be Monday. Told them not to rush through, I wanted it done right. No word yet, its Monday 2 pm. Did ask about a warranty, will warranty up to cost of rebuilding, haven't gotten all the details on that yet, but they did say I would not have to bring it back up here.

Now I am lost. What caused the torque converter to go? Asked and was told it was 'nothing I did'. Well that makes me feel better .....

I wish I loved my car, but the truth is, I hate the light gray interior, keep it covered. Maybe if I loved it, putting all this money into it wouldn't make me so darn mad. I find it hard to believe that a $38k car, a little over 6 years old, 93K miles has all these issues!!

I wont even get started with the fact that within the first year of having the car I was on the highway, check engine light came on, was driving to an auto shop to have it checked and the entire car shut down on me in the middle of the highway!!! Dealer changed out the alternator and battery...or the 3 other times my engine shut 1/2 down on the highway, max speed 35 mph---two of the times it 'thought' the oxygen wasn't right in my gas(sensor had to be changed out.....sensor had to be reset). What a joke this is turning out to be! An expensive joke!

Anyone else having issues like this??

BlackZ71Silverado · May 18, 2015

Did you purchase this vehicle new? Ever have the transmission "flushed" at a shop that you are aware of? Is the CD player a factory model or is it an aftermarket one someone installed on their own?