Cost of trans fluid change

[waterman]

Hello,

I have a2015 Denali with 8 speed 50,000 miles. I am having a problem with trans shifting between 25-35 mph. Brought it to the dealer and they said it needs a temp sensor and they suggested flushing the trans with the new style fluid.

Cost of parts is 580 and labor 1,250.00. I know some of that is diagnosing but isn’t that way to high? I’d appreciate any input. Car is at dealer now.

Thank you,

Lou

 

[Doubeleive]

the 8 speeds are known to be problematic, I would ask about any special coverage on it.
what they are suggesting may or may resolve your issue.
sorry can't be of much more help on the 8 speed other than a 3rd party shop may be slightly cheaper.

 

[NickTransmissions]

Hello,

I have a2015 Denali with 8 speed 50,000 miles. I am having a problem with trans shifting between 25-35 mph. Brought it to the dealer and they said it needs a temp sensor and they suggested flushing the trans with the new style fluid.

Cost of parts is 580 and labor 1,250.00. I know some of that is diagnosing but isn’t that way to high? I’d appreciate any input. Car is at dealer now.

Thank you,

Lou

Hey Lou,

The dealership isnt known as the stealership for nothing, lol. That said, the temp sensor is integral to the wiring harness and the replacement harnesses are all one-piece designs that require valve body removal to change it out. Its a fairly straight forward process, shouldnt take more than an hour, two tops. They also have to replace the vb to case bolts which are torque to yield on those and later transmissions (stupid but is what it is - im sure ARP has replacement bolts available or will soon). Plus a VB to case seal.

My guess is your engine light was on a P0711 was showing and trans thinks its cold when its at op temp so shift compensation adaptations to temp swings were not happening, hence your drivability symptoms.

Always get a quote before turning things over to them or post to let us know about your code/symptoms before taking it anywhere and perhaps we can help you do it yourself next time, saving you some $$$($).

 

[waterman]

Thank you for replying. I noticed last week if I was driving 50 slowed down to 25 then sped up again the transmission will jerk, kind of like driving on rumble strips that are on the side of the road. I also noticed accelerating the same thing would happen 25-45. It may have happened at a higher speed also. I did not see the check engine light come on.

 

[NickTransmissions]

Thank you for replying. I noticed last week if I was driving 50 slowed down to 25 then sped up again the transmission will jerk, kind of like driving on rumble strips that are on the side of the road. I also noticed accelerating the same thing would happen 25-45. It may have happened at a higher speed also. I did not see the check engine light come on.

That sounds like either torque converter, applied element slippage or perhaps one way clutch partial failure but im not super familiar with the 8 speeds (yet) so it could be a quirk with temp sensor's failure distupting the trans control process, causing one or more clutch packs applying partially out of schedule, temporary tie-ups and flare shifts which can come across like you described.

Also if you want me to see any replies, please quote this post by clicking the "quote" button and then click "insert quotes" to actually imbed it into your reply. Otherwise I wont know if you replied (just happened to notice someone else replied simce by glancing at the thread list)

 

[OR VietVet]

The cost and what is being suggested is different than the thread title. Stealership name is given for a reason.

 

[swathdiver]

Hello,

I have a2015 Denali with 8 speed 50,000 miles. I am having a problem with trans shifting between 25-35 mph. Brought it to the dealer and they said it needs a temp sensor and they suggested flushing the trans with the new style fluid.

Cost of parts is 580 and labor 1,250.00. I know some of that is diagnosing but isn’t that way to high? I’d appreciate any input. Car is at dealer now.

Thank you,

Lou

Hey Lou,

The dealership isnt known as the stealership for nothing, lol. That said, the temp sensor is integral to the wiring harness and the replacement harnesses are all one-piece designs that require valve body removal to change it out. Its a fairly straight forward process, shouldnt take more than an hour, two tops. They also have to replace the vb to case bolts which are torque to yield on those and later transmissions (stupid but is what it is - im sure ARP has replacement bolts available or will soon). Plus a VB to case seal.

Shop time on a 6L80 to replace the speed sensor on the wiring harness inside the transmission (similar but not exact) is 6.7 hours labor.

 

[NickTransmissions]

Shop time on a 6L80 to replace the speed sensor on the wiring harness inside the transmission (similar but not exact) is 6.7 hours labor.

Lol, that's straight up criminal...18 10mm bolts, off comes the pan. 6 inverted torxplus12 bolts and a gate latch - out comes the valve body assembly. Flop it over, two more short 10mm bolts - off comes the speed sensors and harness. Reverse the above with new harness, fill with fluid, run fast adapt relearn. Two hours tops.

 

[swathdiver]

Lol, that's straight up criminal...18 10mm bolts, off comes the pan. 6 inverted torxplus12 bolts and a gate latch - out comes the valve body assembly. Flop it over, two more short 10mm bolts - off comes the speed sensors and harness. Reverse the above with new harness, fill with fluid, run fast adapt relearn. Two hours tops.

If it's under warranty they lose 2 hours! LOL

It's one of those gravy train money making repairs. The more efficient techs can do that repair and make a handsome payday on it.

 

[NickTransmissions]

If it's under warranty they lose 2 hours! LOL

It's one of those gravy train money making repairs. The more efficient techs can do that repair and make a handsome payday on it.

I need to open a dealership, haha.

 

[waterman]

That sounds like either torque converter, applied element slippage or perhaps one way clutch partial failure but im not super familiar with the 8 speeds (yet) so it could be a quirk with temp sensor's failure distupting the trans control process, causing one or more clutch packs applying partially out of schedule, temporary tie-ups and flare shifts which can come across like you described.

Also if you want me to see any replies, please quote this post by clicking the "quote" button and then click "insert quotes" to actually imbed it into your reply. Otherwise I wont know if you replied (just happened to notice someone else replied simce by glancing at the thread list)

That sounds like either torque converter, applied element slippage or perhaps one way clutch partial failure but im not super familiar with the 8 speeds (yet) so it could be a quirk with temp sensor's failure distupting the trans control process, causing one or more clutch packs applying partially out of schedule, temporary tie-ups and flare shifts which can come across like you described.

Also if you want me to see any replies, please quote this post by clicking the "quote" button and then click "insert quotes" to actually imbed it into your reply. Otherwise I wont know if you replied (just happened to notice someone else replied simce by glancing at the thread list)

I don’t know if I already mentioned this but they would flush out the transmission. They are waiting for me to call them tomorrow. I don’t mind paying a little more but I just can’t see 1250 for labor. If I don’t have them do it I know of one trans shop near me but have never been there. I left a message at the caddy dealer I bring my dads car to see if he could give me a estimate.

 

[OR VietVet]

IMO, I would not do it yet. I would want a very detailed documented quote, on paper, and then do some shopping and ask friends. Where are you at? Maybe a member here knows of a good qualified transmission shop you can use. You drove it in, drive it out. Especially if there is no repair guarantee. If they will not put the quote in detail on paper, would you really want to do business with them? That price is highway robbery for at least the labor. They are not even dropping the transmission. Is it a thermostat or a harness and thermostat? The labor is installing that, if it is a harness. Again, deal with details and documentation.

 

[NickTransmissions]

I don’t know if I already mentioned this but they would flush out the transmission. They are waiting for me to call them tomorrow. I don’t mind paying a little more but I just can’t see 1250 for labor. If I don’t have them do it I know of one trans shop near me but have never been there. I left a message at the caddy dealer I bring my dads car to see if he could give me a estimate.

Flushing the trans involves spending a few minutes hooking up the machine, turning it on and spending the next half hour playing ping pong or Madden on playstation then shutting it off when done.

Like @OR VietVet said, at least get a detailed quote itemizing each service performed and part replaced.

If they were installing a valve body kit and giving you a performance tune, in addition to the aforementioned services that'd be one thing but nearly $2K for a harness/flush is Bernie Madoff or Sam Bankman-freid level thievery.

 

[OR VietVet]

Flushing the trans involves spending a few minutes hooking up the machine, turning it on and spending the next half hour playing ping pong or Madden on playstation then shutting it off when done.

Like @OR VietVet said, at least get a detailed quote itemizing each service performed and part replaced.

If they were installing a valve body kit and giving you a performance tune, in addition to the aforementioned services that'd be one thing but nearly $2K for a harness/flush is Bernie Madoff or Sam Bankman-freid level thievery.

The stealers thievery and the big shops around here that do suggestive selling of parts and services, keep me pretty busy at home. My friend from the AL wife's Colorado with 19k miles on it, was recommended a brake fluid flush because the stealer said it was dirty. Give me an effin break. I looked at it. Looked like new with a solid pedal. Closer to 40k to 50k miles, I will do it for them. If I am still alive that is.

 

[NickTransmissions]

The stealers thievery and the big shops around here that do suggestive selling of parts and services, keep me pretty busy at home. My friend from the AL wife's Colorado with 19k miles on it, was recommended a brake fluid flush because the stealer said it was dirty. Give me an effin break. I looked at it. Looked like new with a solid pedal. Closer to 40k to 50k miles, I will do it for them. If I am still alive that is.

They prey on folks by capitalizing on that information asymmetry advantage they have over the gen pop as it relates to auto repair, etc.

But it does create opportunities for honest service providers like you, me and many other on here as people just want stuff done right at a fair/reasonable price.

 

[waterman]

They prey on folks by capitalizing on that information asymmetry advantage they have over the gen pop as it relates to auto repair, etc.

But it does create opportunities for honest service providers like you, me and many other on here as people just want stuff done right at a fair/reasonable price.

Once again, thank you for your help. I’m lucky to have another car to drive, I don’t use my truck everyday which is why the miles are so low. I’m in Schaumburg, So if anyone knows a place to go please let me know. I’m going to need it in three or four weeks to bring my boat home from Wisconsin.

Will shops give me a estimate over the phone or will they need to have my truck first?

 

[NickTransmissions]

Once again, thank you for your help. I’m lucky to have another car to drive, I don’t use my truck everyday which is why the miles are so low. I’m in Schaumburg, So if anyone knows a place to go please let me know. I’m going to need it in three or four weeks to bring my boat home from Wisconsin.

Will shops give me a estimate over the phone or will they need to have my truck first?

You're welcome, Lou...Most shops will want to have the vehicle first so they can diag and give you an accurate estimate. The process will consist of sticking a bi-directional scanner on it, taking it for a test drive and watching transmission behavior while monitoring the TCM's command and control activity to see if there's anomalies. They will also scan for codes that may or may not turn the CEL on....In those units, a failed trans fluid temp sensor typically causes DTC P0711 to set.

I'm wondering how the d(steal)ealership diagnosed your specific issue as your symptoms don't seem like they would be caused solely by a failed temp sensor...That usually puts the transmission into limp mode but otherwise should cause the rumbling sensations you're reporting. Odd to say the least...I'd be inclined at least to get a second opinion, if for no other reason than to confirm that diagnosis is correct.

 

[89Suburban]

I need to open a dealership, haha.

I would put in an application for hire and training if you did

 

[OR VietVet]

Even if a transmission or full service shop gave an estimate off of the info you supply them, they will want to do the diagnostics, or they will not stand behind the warranty if the attempt does not fix the problem. At least that is the way it would work in one of my shops.

 

[OR VietVet]

I need to open a dealership, haha.

The Tahoe/Yukon Forum should have shops in 4-5 areas of the country and have it manned by mostly people from this forum. A guy can dream anyways. Dealerships are nightmares for people/techs that do not want to be treated like a number.