In-laws are having some tranny problems with their 2003 Trailblazer (4L60E) so I am trying to find a tranny shop that could help out with this. They took it to Aamco for the “Free Diagnosis” but the diagnosis was “Welp clutches are burnt so it needs a new tranny”. Notice not rebuild this tranny but it needs a new one. In other words I hear, we really don’t know what is wrong but if we put a new tranny in it, it will fix the problem. What I am trying to find is a shop that can road test it with a computer hooked up to it and tell me that all the internal sensors are working properly. I have a feeling it is just a sensor that has decided to stop working and would have to have them pay big money for a new tranny when it is just a $150 sensor. Anyone know of a shop in San Diego (east county would be even better) that you have used and would trust with your own car.

Call Don at the Transmission source in Vista. (760)732-3546 He just built me a 4L60 about a month ago and I couldn't be happier. Did a great job at a great price. Tell him Scott from MGM sent you. He can diagnose the problem and point you in the right direction.

is there any check engine light on? if it is there's a code associated with it.


We just scored the deal of the century(well a good deal anyways) with a very similar issue your talking of.

Picked up a 2002 ford focus 4 door, cold a/c, 6 disc in dash changer, good tires, 1 door ding, with 65000 miles and trans has a problem with 3rd gear. The guy hadn't even drove it in 6 months. We buy it, get it home, pull the code, solenoid for 45.00 from Ford. It was solenoid a.

200.00 for the car, 75.00 for parts, fluid etc, .45 minutes googling issue, 1 hr of my time to r and r part, sold it for 3800.00!!!

Man I wish I could score deals like this all the time.

I would go to Dave's auto service in Chula Vista. Not only a close personal friend, but a stand up businessman that knows his chit and stands behind his work. If he can't fix it then our only other option is to set it ablaze and pushi it over a cliff...

Dave's
(619)585-4800

If you call, tell them that Coobie sent ya!

Thanks Guys. Yeah Vista might be a little far for my in laws to take it but I will keep that one in mind. Yeah I was kind of thinking of Dave but didn't know if he would have the equipment to test the solenoids inside the tranny. Kind of thought he was more of a maintenance & motor guy. That is the big thing I am looking for is someone that can test all the sensors and solenoids inside the tranny before I pull it and rebuild it. Don't want to rebuild it to find out it was just a sensor. Maybe I will give Dave a call and ask him a few questions.

Zilla - Yes there was a code originally. It was for the Torque Converter Controller solenoid. So I dropped the pan and replaced it. It did change the issue a little bit but didn't completely solve it. And it is no longer coding an issue so that is where the test equipment comes in. The factory service manual says to test these solenoids while driving. I don't have that test equipment so it makes testing them a little difficult.