The only problem I've had is sometimes (maybe 2 to 3 time a year) the car jerks. usually when I'm trying to move from a complete stop and making a turn (such as at a red light).
I don't have the 3K to get a new tranny. Should I flush the current one and hope it last, or just ride it till it breaks down?
Should I change my transmission fluid?
I'm a mechanic, and if the car goes I would say don't stop. That car is not worth a new transmission, but eventually It will go bad. I would say that your jerking sounds more like a rough idle than a transmission problem, and that's due to again of the injectors, O2 sensors or anything in the ignition, fuel delivery that you haven't replaced. You can's just drop the pan because you wouldn't be getting the fluid out of the converter, and it has a filter. Look for a independent shop and do the service and drive the car to the ground saving for a newer one.
Should I change my transmission fluid?
I would just do it myself.
Take the trans pan off, take the filter off (it looks just like the new one you bought - you did buy one before getting into this, right?) and refill it with transmission fluid.
Take it to another mechanic and have him check the teeth, the gear(s) could be missing some teeth hence the jerking, its usually a LOT cheaper just to get the single gear replaced than the entire transmission.
Yes do the trans service, but not at the dealer, because they are not in your best interest now. Get an oil and filter change (trans oil and filter) change done at a small shop and hope for the best. It can be as simple as a sticky valve which a fluid change may cure, or problems with torque converter lock up. In the meantime buy a CAA/AA membership, so that if it breaks the tow is free. good luck
change the oil first may be look for some additive to condition tarns, may help .its worth a try
id bet that you have the thm 4t60 transmission. replacing the fluid will not rectify any electrical problems that you have and can only compound the hydraulic/clutch issues that you are getting into. did you get a code form the dealer form the computer that tells you what the problem is? ill give you a list of the problems and the definitions of that code.
p0218 transmission fluid over temperature
P0700 transmission control system malfunction
P0701 transmission control system
P0702 transmission control system electrical
P0703 brake switch input malfunction
P0704 clutch switch input circuit malfunction
P0705 transmission range (tr, prndl)
P0706 tr or prndl circuit range performance
P0707 tr or prndl circuit low input
P0708 tr or prndl circuit high input
P0709 transmission ranger sensor intermittent
P0710 transmission fluid temperature circuit
P0711 transmission fluid temperature range performance
P0712 transmission fluid temperature low input
P0713 transmission fluid temperature high input
P0714 transmission fluid temperature sensor circuit intermittent
P0715 input or turbine speed circuit malfunction
P0716 input or turbine speed range performance
P0717 input or turbine speed no signal
P0718 input/turbine speed sensor circuit intermittent
P0719 brake switch circuit low input
P0720 output speed circuit malfunction
P0721 output speed range performance
P0722 output speed no signal
P0725 engine speed circuit malfunction
P0726 engine speed range performance
P0727 engine speed no signal
P0728 engine speed input circuit intermittent
P0730 incorrect gear ratio
P0731 incorrect first gear ratio
P0732 incorrect second gear ratio
P0733 incorrect third gear ratio
P0734 incorrect fourth gear ratio
P0735 incorrect fifth gear ratio
P0736 incorrect reverse gear ratio
P0740 torque converter clutch circuit malfunction
P0741 torque converter clutch circuit performance or stuck off
P0742 torque converter clutch stuck on
P0743 torque converter clutch electrical
P0744 torque converter clutch circuit intermittent
P0745 pressure control solenoid malfunction
Po746 pressure control solenoid stuck off
P0747 pressure control solenoid stuck on
P0748 pressure control solenoid “a” malfunction
P0749 pressure control solenoid intermittent
P0750 shift solenoid “a” malfunction
P0751 shift solenoid “a” performance or stuck off
P0752 shift solenoid “a” stuck on
P0753 shift solenoid “a” electrical
P0754 shift solenoid “a” intermittent
P0755 shift solenoid “b” malfunction
P0756 shift solenoid “b” performance or stuck off
P0757 shift solenoid “b” stuck on
P0758 shift solenoid “b” electrical
P0759 shift solenoid “b” intermittent
P0760 shift solenoid “c” malfunction
P0761 shift solenoid “c” performance or stuck off
P0762 shift solenoid “c” stuck on
P0763 shift solenoid “c” electrical
P0764 shift solenoid “c” intermittent
P0765 shift solenoid “d” malfunction
P0766 shift solenoid “d” performance or stuck off
P0767 shift solenoid “d” stuck on
P0768 shift solenoid “d” electrical
P0769 shift solenoid “d” intermittent
P0770 shift solenoid “e” malfunction
P0771 shift solenoid “e” performance or stuck off
P0772 shift solenoid “e” stuck on
P0773 shift solenoid “e” electrical
P0774 shift solenoid “e” intermittent
P0778 pressure control solenoid b electrical
P0780 shift malfunction
P0781 1-2 shift malfunction
P0782 2-3 shift malfunction
P0783 3-4 shift malfunction
P0784 4-5 shift malfunction
P0785 shift/timing solenoid malfunction/2-3 solenoid circuit electrical
P0786 shift/timing solenoid range/performance
P0787 shift timing solenoid low
P0788 shift timing solenoid high
P0789 shift timing intermittent
P0790 normal/performance switch circuit malfunction
P0801 Reverse inhibit control circuit malfunction
P0803 1-4 upshift (skip shift) solenoid
P0804 1-4 upshift lamp control circuit malfunction
P0850 neutral switch input circuit low
P0851 neutral switch input circuit high
P0856 powertrain indicated traction control malfunction
P0864 tcm communication circuit range performance
P0865 tcm communication low
P0866 tcm communication circuit high
DON'T GET IT FLUSHED!, or you will be replacing that tranny, just drop the tranny oil pan and change the filter and bolt back together and replace the fluid lost, ( 5 or 6 qts. ).
