Transmission Rebuild Rx300 '99

[Ryba]

I just had a transmission rebuilt at AAMCO for my Lexus RX300 99 (it was slipping very bad) - $3,600.00. A day after I got my car back I noticed that it was not shifting to over drive - on expressway when I was driving over 50 mph, RPM was going all the way to 4000-5000... I took my car back to AAMCO shop, they said the transmission was OK and the problem was in a speed sensor. According to them it has nothing to do with that transmission repair and it will cost me extra $120. In addition, after that transmission repair a light for ABS is constantly on - I didn't have it before. How all those things are related to each other? Am I being ripped off?

[lenore]

I just had a transmission rebuilt at AAMCO for my Lexus RX300 99 (it was slipping very bad) - $3,600.00. A day after I got my car back I noticed that it was not shifting to over drive - on expressway when I was driving over 50 mph, RPM was going all the way to 4000-5000... I took my car back to AAMCO shop, they said the transmission was OK and the problem was in a speed sensor. According to them it has nothing to do with that transmission repair and it will cost me extra $120. In addition, after that transmission repair a light for ABS is constantly on - I didn't have it before. How all those things are related to each other? Am I being ripped off?

I wonder if they unplugged the abs speed sensor on the left wheel (front). hopefully they didnt break the wire...They probably caused this I would say hey when you removed or replaced the tranny you messed up the speed sensor line....your dime

[Ryba]

I'm really p..... off! Originally, the problem with trans was that it didn't want to shift to over drive. Then it started slipping. After I started the engine the car was running OK but after a while the trans was slipping and I couldn't drive. All I had to do was to turn off the engine, turn it on again and drive. After a while the same story. So I took my car to Aamco. They said first they tried to detect if that was really a bad transmission or electronic problems. According to what they said all sensors were working OK so the transmission needed to be rebuild. It cost me $3,600.00. :cries: After I picked up my car I noticed ABC light on the dashboard. I asked them about that since I never had this light on before. "Oh..." they said, "sometimes ABS sensor goes goofy when the wheels are removed, but that's nothing major and if that bothers you we can remove that light with our computer. We are closing now, so why don't come tomorrow (Saturday) morning or on Monday after your work and we'll do it for you". OK. Next day I went on a expressway and I noticed that trans is still not shifting to over drive. I took my car back to Aamco but they were already closed (Saturdays open till 12PM only). I called them on Monday and while I was at work they took my car for a test drive and to their shop. Now they are telling me that the trans is OK, that the speed sensor is bad and it needs to be replaced. They could get this sensor the next day but that would cost me extra because it's not related to their trans repair - they were getting that from a Lexus dealer for $240. I went to pick up my car - I couldn't leave it there till next day because I don't have any other car to use. When I asked them to give me the name or specific number for that sensor so I could check online, maybe on eBay to get it for a cheaper price they said it's called "Right Left Wheel ABS Sensor". I asked if that had anything to do with that ABS light I had on - they admitted it did. So, first they were telling me it was nothing and it showed up after the trans was rebuilt, now they are telling it's very important and I need to have it replaced. Besides, they wanted me to sign that I was informed about that and if I don't have it fixed they won't be responsible for any future transmission failure. And (what's the most interesting) they said that particular sensor was bad to begin with when I brought my car to them... (Huh????!!!! even the ABS light was never on???) Even if that's true, why don't they tell me that, maybe that was the only thing that needed to be fixed - not the whole transmission?

I'm tired and sick of those mechanics, liars... whatever they say it's opposite to what they said before...

Any ideas what to do?

[lenore]

If your tranny was slipping I doubt that the speed sensor was at fault, however the sensor could very well have been messed up by AAMco. Maybe take it to Toyota, or an independent Toyota mechanic and have them check replace the sensor. Get every thing in writing and if it is The tranny shops fault take them to Small claims court....

[mikey00]

They are most likely talking about the "front speed sensor" which is part of the ABS. It lists for $220 and you can get it for $180 at newlexus parts.com.

The odds are that they caused the problem when they repaired the trans but that would be a difficult thing to prove. My first reaction would be to suggest that you go elsewhere as suggested above. But I think you need to analyze this and do what is best for you in the long run. AAMCO is the one who is providing the warranty and they are the ones you have to deal with if you have any trans problems and at this point you can't really be sure that you don't still have some trans problems. I would recommend you pay them the $240 for the speed sensor and have them make it right. You are still getting off cheaper than those who had Lexus do their trans. At least that way you will be on good terms and if the tranny is not working properly, they should fix it. You could show them the printout from newlexusparts.com and ask if they mind if you source the part to save $60. But what if there are still some tranny problems and they claim the part is defective. Then you are in the middle. Might not be worth the $60. you tried to save.

[lenore]

I agree, bite the bullet and have them replace the part, then make them pony up to make sure that the transmission is good. That way you gave them the benefit of doubt, and they should stand behind their rebuild...