The crew from I Wear Your Shirt did a great job representing Peoples Transmission. The day started out with Angela Seales' video featuring, Holly Mackeral:
I have to admit, I was surprised with Angela's daring video, but pleased with the line she rode with her humor. Hey, I did make over 2,000 stickers that say I Love Trannies. Neal Brooks did a great job with using the stickers, and in my opinion, did the best job explaining the service Peoples Transmission provides:
Jason Sadler's video depicted a Jason in distress over his BMW transmission failing. Truth is, I didn't even know the model transmission his new BMW had in it when he asked during his live show. Hey Jason, I know what the SMG is all about now:
Deandre Upshaw acted as if his Jeep was talking back at him! Actually, I hope the service writers at Peoples Transmission Certified shops look as cool as Andre did when they check out your car. Free stickers to whoever catches the mistake in the video. Hint: it's at the end:
The last video of the day was from the lovely Amber Plaster......or Bambi. Bambi, like most people, doesn't know trannies. There's probably very few things that Bambi knows, but the point is, Peoples Transmission will back Bambi up when some chooch of a mechanic tries to stiff her, over tranmission repairs. Don't worry Bambi, you have a big brother:
Thanks to all of the IWYS crew for the day! January 28, 2011 has been one of the busiest days since the company started.
Transmission Repair using Peoples Transmission
Peoples Transmission certifies all of our recommended transmission repair shops based on qualifications, reputation and customer satisfaction. How do we find this information?
- We start by finding repair shops that are members of popular automotive services like ASE, ASA, and ATRA. Quality shops use services like these to keep their technicians up to date, and to reference material needed for working on today's complex vehicles.
- Reputation: When people have to pay thousands of dollars for transmission repair, you can bet they will complain when their transmission problems are not solved. Peoples Transmission checks records from organizations like the BBB, the Bureau of Automotive Repair (applicable states), and looks for any online complaints in forums and consumer review listings. If there are complaints that have gone unanswered or there are too many complaints, we don't certify them.
- Customer satisfaction. We receive feedback from every customer we send to a shop. If there's anything the customer doesn't like about the shop, we try to fix it. If the customer doesn't trust or understand what the shop is telling them, Jon can call the shop to make sure the repairs or price make sense. If we decide the shop is unfair, they are no longer a certified shop, period!
It's already stressful when dealing with transmission problems. Let us help take some of the stress away by making sure your money is going to a business that deserves it, and having someone that truly cares about the integrity of the automotive industry on your side.
How to Avoid Getting Ripped Off
Did you know that most consumer complaints about small business are in the auto repair industry? Probably not a surprise, right? If you haven't had a bad experience with a mechanic, then chances are you know someone that has. There's several ways a shop can try ripping you off. It's an industry that has a few bad apples that tarnish the reputation of mechanics in general.
Peoples Transmission is here to help. We not only find reputable and qualified transmission repair shops, we will help you make important decisions about your vehicle's transmission repair . Don't trust or don't understand what the mechanic is telling you? Give us a call at 1-888-415-2098 or contact us at peoplestransmission@gmail.com. You can also leave us a comment on this blog for immediate contact.Get Automotive Help Quick Using Twitter and Facebook
Cars can be cruel. They will be your best friend when you need a ride, a good wing man/woman while out on a date, and help you relax while listening to your favorite song, zipping past the countryside......then BAM! You're stuck on the side of the road with a car that won't even talk to you! You beg your vehicle to come back, but it wants nothing to do with you now.
Where do you turn? Who do you call for help? A repair shop? Which one? Tow service, AAA, dad, husband, brother, cousin, uncle.......AARGH! "I'm just going to send out a tweet then think about it.", you say to yourself. s-t-u-c-k o-n t-h-e s-i-d-e o-f t-h-e r-o-a-d w-i-t-h a b-r-o-k-e a-*-* t-r-a-n-s-m-i-s-s-i-o-n, is posted on twitter and possibly your Facebook, using your phone. Now you start working on getting a tow truck or at the least, a ride to where you were going. Within a few minutes, your phone is beeping with alerts from your friends and possibly people you have never talked to, offering help. How did that happen?
Where do you turn? Who do you call for help? A repair shop? Which one? Tow service, AAA, dad, husband, brother, cousin, uncle.......AARGH! "I'm just going to send out a tweet then think about it.", you say to yourself. s-t-u-c-k o-n t-h-e s-i-d-e o-f t-h-e r-o-a-d w-i-t-h a b-r-o-k-e a-*-* t-r-a-n-s-m-i-s-s-i-o-n, is posted on twitter and possibly your Facebook, using your phone. Now you start working on getting a tow truck or at the least, a ride to where you were going. Within a few minutes, your phone is beeping with alerts from your friends and possibly people you have never talked to, offering help. How did that happen?
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| Bookmark Peoples Transmission in Your Smart Phone |
It happened because you not only set up your social media accounts to keep in contact with your friends and family, you have your social media presence ready to go with contacts that can help you when your car breaks down. Just this last weekend, I helped three people in need with their vehicle's transmission through Twitter. These people simply put an @peoplestrans in front of their 127 letter message about their transmission problem. Within a few minutes, they had someone talking to them about what to do next. @tweetsforkathy is a teacher of sign language for children. She was just venting about her Volvo transmission on a Saturday afternoon when I saw her tweet. Within minutes, she had someone to talk to about her transmission troubles. @UFCfanWI needed some instructions for checking the fluid on one of his customer's Ford Explorer. He had the info in no time! (@UFCfanWI sells auto parts in Onalaska, WI)
Another tweeter (who wishes to stay anonymous) received help with his Volkswagon Jetta while stuck on the side of the road in Chicago. Peoples Transmission had his car waiting at a qualified shop, first thing this morning.
Even without directly contacting @peoplestrans, just sending a tweet to your followers about transmissions can lead you to someone that wants to help you get back on the road. The same goes for Facebook. Adding a service like Peoples Transmission's Facebook page can make it easier for you to get help when the time finally does come with the death of your transmission.
P1811 - Maximum Adapt and Long Shift Mode Chevy, Pontiac, Saturn, and Buick Front Wheel Drive Vehicles
The P1811 code is one of the most common codes for transmissions in 1997-on GM front wheel drive vehicles. Symptoms of this code include a check engine light illuminated and harsh shifting. Cycling the key on and off may cure the harsh shifting until the criteria for the code is met once more. We are going to cover what causes the code to set and repair options.
Code Criteria
If a shift into any gear other than reverse and forward engagements takes longer than 0.65 seconds to complete, code P1811 will set. The Powertrain Control Module will then command maximum line pressure inside of the transmission, resulting in harsh shifting. The PCM will also command the check engine light or service engine soon light to be illuminated when P1811 is set. Basically, the PCM is sensing a slip, and is increasing line pressure to maximum in order to prevent the transmission from hurting itself further.
Repair Options
In 2002, GM release a technical bulletin for the P1811 code. See the bulletin by clicking this link http://bit.ly/P1811_Bulletin. The bulletin states that a mechanical problem in the Pressure Control (PC) solenoid, contamination in the valve body, or incorrect fluid level can cause the P1811 to set. Those problems could definitely cause a P1811, but what they failed to mention in the bulletin is, what exactly is the PCM looking for when setting P1811. It's looking for a slip of 0.65 seconds or longer to set the code. See http://bit.ly/P1811_Diag_Tree. So it's not as cut and dry as the bulletin makes it to be. A burnt clutch pack, stripped overdrive clutch hub, worn accumulators, worn valving especially the actuator feed limit valve, and just high mileage can all cause this code to rear its ugly head. All of which would require transmission disassembly to repair. Now I'm not saying that P1811 is going to require a major transmission overhaul every time a vehicle comes into the shop with the code. I'm saying that it is not always going to be as simple as just changing out a solenoid.
How to Know if a Solenoid will Repair the Problem
It is impossible to know for sure what the internal shape of a transmission is while the transmission is still in the car. The first thing to check is the transmission fluid. If the fluid level is low, add automatic transmission fluid (ATF) until full. Remember that transmission fluid needs to be checked while the engine is warm and running with the shifter in the Park position. After the fluid level is OK, drive the vehicle to your nearest People's Transmission certified shop to have it checked. If the fluid level was low, there is a leak somewhere that has to be repaired. The shop will then test drive the vehicle while monitoring data on a scanner that is communication with your vehicle's PCM. After that, the shop will most likely recommend a pan drop to see if any contamination is being produced inside of the transmission. If contamination in the form of clutch material or metal is present, then a solenoid replacement will be a waste of money. If the pan is clean, fluid is in decent shape, and the mileage is below 80,000 miles or so, then maybe a solenoid will fix the problem. The thing to remember is, if the shop recommends a solenoid, then they are looking out for your best interests. It still may not fix the problem, but from what they have seen during their checkout, a solenoid replacement is worth the gamble. If the shop recommends a transmission overhaul, ask them what they found that makes them think that is the only option. Don't like what they tell you? Then call The Transmission Guy at Peoples Transmission. 1-888-415-2098Recall for 2005-2008 Toyota Corrola and Matrix Vehicles, Pontiac Vibe
I just recently received a call from a customer in Dallas, Texas. She was concerned with a letter she received in the mail from Toyota about her 2007 Toyota Corolla. The letter was informing her that a safety recall is requiring the vehicle's Engine Control Module (ECM) to be replaced. The ECM's have a defect and could cause the engine to suddenly stall while driving. (Click on this link to see a copy of the letter: http://bit.ly/Corolla_Recall) Her main concern was, approximately one year before she received this notice, the ECM was replaced by a local garage for a P2716 (Pressure Control Solenoid D Circuit) Code.
Her main questions were:
1. Does the ECM that was installed a year prior still have a problem?
2. She paid over $1,000 to have the ECM installed last year. How can she be compensated for that repair that is now covered under this recall?
Two valid questions, especially since the ECM was replaced based on a bulletin that Toyota released in September of 2007 for the P2716 code. (Click on this link to see a copy of the factory bulletin: http://bit.ly/P2716_Toyota_Bulletin)
To answer question 1, I don't know yet. The only way to know if an updated ECM was installed is to see the actual factory recall notice the Toyota technicians have. Being the recall is so new, the factory bulletin is not yet available to the aftermarket. I'm going to set out some feelers to see if I can get a hold of it. On that bulletin, there should be some part numbers that will tell the technician if the existing ECM is one of the effected models.
Question number 2, the following is a copy from the factory letter:
Her main questions were:
1. Does the ECM that was installed a year prior still have a problem?
2. She paid over $1,000 to have the ECM installed last year. How can she be compensated for that repair that is now covered under this recall?
Two valid questions, especially since the ECM was replaced based on a bulletin that Toyota released in September of 2007 for the P2716 code. (Click on this link to see a copy of the factory bulletin: http://bit.ly/P2716_Toyota_Bulletin)
To answer question 1, I don't know yet. The only way to know if an updated ECM was installed is to see the actual factory recall notice the Toyota technicians have. Being the recall is so new, the factory bulletin is not yet available to the aftermarket. I'm going to set out some feelers to see if I can get a hold of it. On that bulletin, there should be some part numbers that will tell the technician if the existing ECM is one of the effected models.
Question number 2, the following is a copy from the factory letter:
6. Is the repair covered by warranty? Will I have to pay any money out of pocket for this repair?
This repair will be performed at no charge to the customer. Owners who have previously paid for replacement of the ECM to address this specific condition should refer to their owner letter for reimbursement consideration instructions.
Key words here: "reimbursement consideration". Only time will tell how Toyota is going to deal with this.
Here's another twist: The 2005-2008 Pontiac Vibes were built by Toyota and have the same drivetrain as the Corolla and Matrix. DetNews.com reports Toyota recalling the Vibes for the same problem with stalling. These vehicles also had the same problem with the ECM's causing the P2716 code, but Pontiac never released a technical bulletin for the issue. Being there was only 161,754 Vibes built with the issue compared with over 1.3 million Corollas and Matrix vehicles, GM just didn't see it as a big enough issue.
Please comment the blog or contact me at peoplestransmission@gmail.com if you have any incite on this issue.
Can Servicing a Transmission that has not been Maintained Cause it to Fail Prematurely?
This question was sent in from a customer out of Grapevine, Texas:
Hi,
I have a 1999 expedition with the 5.4L engine. I am on the second transmission. The First transmission was replaced at 100,000 miles and had a trans cooler installed at that time. The truck now has 209,000 (109,000 on 2nd trannie). I don't remember if I have had the fluid serviced in the last 100,000 miles. The local garage will not service the transmission, claiming that since it has gone so long without a service, the junk floating around is keeping the transmission together and that I would have a transmission failure if I replace the fluid and filter. Does this sound right to you?? Should I service the transmission??
Sincerely,
Forgetful Joe
This was my response:
Hi Joe,
There is some truth about a service causing damage to a transmission that has not been maintained properly. However, I don't think it will be an issue with your transmission. I would recommend a standard pan drop service so that we can see what kind of debris are in the transmission. Hopefully, we'll find a normal amount of material in the pan, change the filter and fluid, and give you back a sense of security when it comes to the transmission in your Expedition.
The myth of the old fluid keeping the transmission together was more true years back. Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) has high amounts of additives and detergents to help keep all of the small parts moving freely. 20 Years ago, the glue used to bond the paper clutch material to the steel plates was not as good as today's bonding agents. What would happen is, the old transmission fluid would break the glue down if not serviced regularly, then when the new high detergent fluid was pored in, it would literally wash the clutch material off of the steel plates. Better fluids and better parts have made it much safer to service transmissions that have been neglected. 109,000 miles out of a rebuild is great, considering it didn't last that long when it was new. The cooler that you had installed is most likely the reason for it's long, trouble free life.
The service that can damage the transmission at this point is a flush. A flush is a common technique for cleaner servicing of transmissions and to replace all of the fluid in the transmission and torque converter. The problem with the flush is, it can stir up the normal amount of materials that transmissions produce over life, and send that material into delicate moving parts of the transmission. This can result in abnormal shifting, check engine lights, and possibly catastrophic failure.
I also suggest we find a transmission specialist to perform your service. They'll know what to look for when servicing your transmission just in case there is a problem forming. I have a few shops in your area that are being evaluated for Peoples Certification. I will contact you with their information first thing in the morning.
I look forward to talking with you more.
Jon Rodriguez
Peoples Transmission
1-888-415-2098
Hi,
I have a 1999 expedition with the 5.4L engine. I am on the second transmission. The First transmission was replaced at 100,000 miles and had a trans cooler installed at that time. The truck now has 209,000 (109,000 on 2nd trannie). I don't remember if I have had the fluid serviced in the last 100,000 miles. The local garage will not service the transmission, claiming that since it has gone so long without a service, the junk floating around is keeping the transmission together and that I would have a transmission failure if I replace the fluid and filter. Does this sound right to you?? Should I service the transmission??
Sincerely,
Forgetful Joe
This was my response:
Hi Joe,
There is some truth about a service causing damage to a transmission that has not been maintained properly. However, I don't think it will be an issue with your transmission. I would recommend a standard pan drop service so that we can see what kind of debris are in the transmission. Hopefully, we'll find a normal amount of material in the pan, change the filter and fluid, and give you back a sense of security when it comes to the transmission in your Expedition.
The myth of the old fluid keeping the transmission together was more true years back. Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) has high amounts of additives and detergents to help keep all of the small parts moving freely. 20 Years ago, the glue used to bond the paper clutch material to the steel plates was not as good as today's bonding agents. What would happen is, the old transmission fluid would break the glue down if not serviced regularly, then when the new high detergent fluid was pored in, it would literally wash the clutch material off of the steel plates. Better fluids and better parts have made it much safer to service transmissions that have been neglected. 109,000 miles out of a rebuild is great, considering it didn't last that long when it was new. The cooler that you had installed is most likely the reason for it's long, trouble free life.
The service that can damage the transmission at this point is a flush. A flush is a common technique for cleaner servicing of transmissions and to replace all of the fluid in the transmission and torque converter. The problem with the flush is, it can stir up the normal amount of materials that transmissions produce over life, and send that material into delicate moving parts of the transmission. This can result in abnormal shifting, check engine lights, and possibly catastrophic failure.
I also suggest we find a transmission specialist to perform your service. They'll know what to look for when servicing your transmission just in case there is a problem forming. I have a few shops in your area that are being evaluated for Peoples Certification. I will contact you with their information first thing in the morning.
I look forward to talking with you more.
Jon Rodriguez
Peoples Transmission
1-888-415-2098
