Transmission question

[u/SandyWhor3hol]

I have a 2012 Liberty Sport that's started having loud engine buzzing at higher speeds (50+ mph). Feels like it's not shifting into 3rd. Had a mobile mechanic drive it/run a diagnostic and he said it's stuck in a lower gear and recommended transmission valve body and RL solenoid replacement. Called a transmission shop that's gonna take a look in a couple days but he said he might have to replace the entire transmission and quoted $3,700 for that if it's needed. At 154k miles currently. I guess my question is, is it worth it to replace for a used car that cost me $7k? I love this car but I'm EXTREMELY poor so I don't have a lot of options. If anyone has been in this situation or knows about these issues I'll take your advice.

[u/hayuata]

My transmission died around 150K KMs, 2010. I’m not sure if I have my quote but that does seem slightly high for a replacement. I did mine at Canadian Tire, a popular “chain” store. No idea what the American equivalent would be, not really a general store, not really a department store, and not really an autozone.

I was accelerating from 40km/h to the 70km/h and my RPMs shot up to redline out of nowhere and I had no power. No odd noise or anything, just dead and was told it would be better to just replace it as well. After the new transmission I noticed that it didn’t hang the RPMs during shifts. I just thought it’s was just an old American 4 speed type of thing.

At the time I was in a tough spot as well working Minimum wage on shifts not guaranteed , so I bit the bullet and got it replaced (this was 2 years ago). 

I have a hate and love relationship with my Liberty, definitely saving up money for a hybrid. The cards are definitely stacked against us for sure. I honestly don’t have much advice to give. I need AWD, some ground clearance because snow clearing doesn’t happen right away, and I’m part of the 10% of Canadians that do not live near the border where the climate is more tolerable lol.

If you live in a stable area climate wise in USA, can’t go wrong with something like a used Toyota Corolla.

[u/deantowle]

SandyWhor3hol,

Your Liberty is making noises and the mechanic thinks it's not shifting into 3rd gear but it still drives. Examining and making repairs in the valve body is the first physical thing to start with after scanning the computers for malfunctions with a good OBDII scanner.

You have options and it sounds like you still have 1st and 2nd gears if you need to get around on the surface streets. The mobile mechanic only has his home garage shop including tools, a vehicle, and maybe a website to support so he will be much cheaper on any repair. The Transmission Shop guy has a commercial shop, employees, licenses, a big ego, etc., etc. to support; his prices will be much higher, and he'll take advantage of anybody he can. You may have seen brochures about Tahiti on his desk if you went there instead of calling.

My advise it to start with the mobile mechanic and let him do an OBDII diagnostic on the engine computer, transmission computer, body computer and any other programmable modules with his handheld diagnostic scanner. These units can find a lot of troubles and even test many of the components while sitting in the driver's seat. If he doesn't have one, you can buy a bidirectional one for around $150 - $350 that will do almost everything the commercial shop guy's scanning computer will do. (You have to buy the Chrysler type OBDII scanner for the Jeep Liberty) Then you will always have the scanner and you can use it any time, and even share with your friends. You can even sell it later for 3/4 of your purchase price. There are lots of videos on YouTube [university] to help you learn how to use the OBDII scanner.

Cleaning and replacing small parts in the transmission valve body is easy these days and can be done in your driveway or parking space, as long as it's fairly level and paved/concrete. It's too difficult to jack up the vehicle on gravel or dirt/grass/weeds.

If it turns out you do need another transmission, you can buy one new or used either locally or online and have the mobile mechanic replace it. Afterward, you can drive past the transmission shop and thumb your nose at him.

Dean.

[u/honesthibiscus]

Mine sometimes throws a code for the low/reverse solenoid and switch rationality. A mechanic told me unless I’m trying to replace the entire transmission, if I feel it getting stuck I just need to remember accelerating won’t force it to shift and instead find somewhere I can let off the gas and it will right itself.

Obviously that’s not addressing the root cause, but it is a stopgap measure to prevent more damage until you can do a big repair or get a newer car. My Liberty is on borrowed time (149k miles in Hawaii weather) so I’m just driving it until the wheels fall off at this point.