Hello Scotty!
Thanks for all of your info on cars and trucks! I love your channel!
My question: I have a 2010 Mitsubishi Galant which has 191K on it and, believe it or not, all original parts. Recently, the shifter has become very difficult to shift when the car is first started but operates normally once the engine temp is normal and seemingly, once the idle speed has come to a normal idle. (this is an automatic transmission with a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine) During the time while the engine is still warming up, the transmission is slow to engage into reverse or drive and it slips a bit if driving. Again, once the engine is warmed up - (3-5 minutes) - the car runs normally and transmission feels strong once again.
I'm not sure if this is fully a transmission problem or some kind of computer problem, being that this all seems to go away once the car is warmed up. What also seems odd is the shift lever feeling sticky when cold. I don't see how the two are related.
I've been quoted $3K to have a used transmission put in (103K miles on it with 1 year parts and labor).
What are your thoughts? Do you honestly think this is all a transmission problem or might there be a computer module causing this? Would you recommend replacing the transmission being that there is a 1-year full warrantee on it? I realize that you're not a big fan of Mitsubishi but this car might be an odd find being that it hasn't had any problems at all since we've owned it at 27K all the way to the 191k it has on it now.
Thanks so much for your help Scotty!
Chris G
Why not just spend less than $100 and change out the transmission fluid and filter? Has it ever been changed? At what mileage? What makes you think a used transmission will be better than the one you have? I can guarantee that the "warranty" isn't worth the paper it's printed on.
I'm going to change the fluid, ironically. The Mitsu recommendation is every 30K miles. I've been doing it about every 40K. I think the 30K is because the filter can't be changed when changing the fluid, so they probably go on the safe side with 30K.
I'm not going to consider the replacement transmission until I get the new fluid in this weekend. I'm going to run a few quarts through as a rinse too. I'm hoping that will do the trick but I'm a little worried it won't.
As far as the replacement trans goes - I have no idea how it will work. Most people don't pay any attention to fluid changing schedules (and beat on their cars). That used 100K mile trans might be as good as mine with 191K.
I just hate to get rid of a perfectly good running and good condition car for something that might NOT be a transmission problem at all.
Replacing it is tempting because 3K is a lot less than a new or used replacement vehicle.
In addition to changing fluid, if the problems persist I would have the transmission diagnosed by a good local transmission expert with a fancy scan tool that can pinpoint whether it's an electronic problem, bad shift solenoid, or an internal mechanical problem with the trans.
If it turns out to be an internal transmission problem I would not take a chance on a used transmission for $3000. (I've done OK with used transmissions but I only paid $175 for the last one and installed it myself, so not much risk there if it had turned out to be no good.)
I had it at the dealer for this. I assume they used a scan tool....but you never know??
Thanks !