Bielefeld
Junior Nomad
Posts: 67
Registered: 1-17-2008
Location: In Baja, living the live
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Need good transmission mechanic in Ensenada/Maneadero
Hi Everybody,
I mostly read this nice forum and don't write but today I need some advice:
Could anyone recommend a good specialist for transmissions??? My big GMC pickup transmission (4l80E) is acting up since Loreto. Shifting problems!
Mechanic there told me, it is an electronic problem and the transmission is fine. He didn't have the right computer for checking it. So I made it all
the way up here, as he promised I would. But I really have to get it fixed before the "expencive" mechanics in the US get ahold of me.
Any sugestions, please!!!!
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
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Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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Automatic transmission motor vehicles are not popular in México for a specific reason as you are about to sadly discover for yourself. Take it to a
dealership to start off with as there is a faint glimmer of hope they may have the diagnostic tools, troubleshooting techniques and service bulletins
that may get things off on the right foot.
Some mechanics will enthusiastically plunge right in over their head and sink right to the bottom.
Check with the Baja California State Tourism bureau office for a recommendation to a mechanic that can give you some advice. If he tells you "Ni Modo"
it means he does not trust anyone and it's time to pack it in and head north.
It would be better to ride a wounded bird back to the frontera than it would be to have it dangling on the end of a hook with the bed filled with ten
thousand disassembled transmission parts.
A Lot To See And A Lot To Do
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Bob H
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
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The best transmission place I have ever found is right here in San Diego County. Poway Transmissions! Totally honest folks, family owned. I just
had my 1969 Mustang in there, and they were just fantastic, and very reasonable. My bill was a tad over $200, and they repaired three leaks, replaced
all the fluid, new pan gasket, and a replaced a transmission cooling line that was kinked and leaking. I highly recommend these people. When my car
was ready, they came and picked me up at my house. Great place!!
http://www.powaytransmissions.com/
The SAME boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg. It's about what you are made of NOT the circumstance.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Ensenada
GM Dealership is on the Costero, near the Navy base,
Drop it off then see Jerry at the Cafe Orleans next door
[Edited on 6-15-2012 by bajaguy]
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ncampion
Super Nomad
Posts: 1238
Registered: 4-15-2006
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
Mood: Retired and Loving it
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Do you have a "check engine" light on? If so get a code reader and see what it says. Many tranny electronic problems throw codes. A common problem
with that trans are the shift solenoids. An easy repair even in Mexico.
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8970
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
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Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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Give Willy a call - He is in Playas de Tijuana. He is ENGLISH SPEAKING and he has worked on MY JEEP WRANGLER RUBICON at his shop.
WILLYS TRANSMISIONES STANDARD en Tijuana
Willy is a good guy that I have personally known for about 5 years. Playas de Tijuana - Cañon Azteca exit - 044664 2034554. Tell him that KEN COOKE
sent you. His business indicates 'Standard Transmissions' - Be sure to ask him about Automatic Transmissions??
Send me a U2U if you need any additional assistance.
Willy (Sergio) at his shop
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vacaenbaja
Senior Nomad
Posts: 643
Registered: 4-4-2006
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What year is your truck? if it is around 1995 it would be OBD 1 after that
OBD2 A store bought scanner could tell you what if any codes were logged
and you could look up what they indicate. My 1995 suburban had shifting
problems while in baja. Fortunately I made it back to the USA. I shopped around for rebuild prices as I had 214000 miles on the truck and was sure
that a rebuild would be in order. One thing that will cook your tranny faster
is to run it in overdrive while pulling a grade or towing. You can acutually
see the difference on your temp gage. My suburban is a diesel so it uses the heavy duty version. I paid $1,200 for the rebuild that included a new
torque converter. I also got my transfer case rebuilt for another $500.
I had the work done at an independent place recomended by a friend.
AAMCO wanted over $2600 for the transmision only. Another place
gave me a lower price on an exchange unit they had, but I was worried that it would not be the heav duty version. That place wanted $1000 to
rebuild my transfer case. In short you have to shop around to get a good price. In the USA you are close to home in case that there is a warranty
problem. There are quite a few electronic solenoids in that transmission that some rebuilders will not replace in order to give a lower price.
Hopefully you will not need a full rebuild. I hope that someone comes up with the "go to Place" if you are going to get the work done in Mexico.
Last time I cheked AAMCO will give your transmission a free diagnostic.
If it is still free take them up on their offer and see what they say.
Then shop your price. Good Luck
[Edited on 6-15-2012 by vacaenbaja]
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15940
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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check out these guys in the shadow of the San Diego/Coronado Bridge. They rebuilt my sister in laws explorer trans for $1500 w/ a 1 year unlimited
mileage warranty. plus, it is the family of a co worker. they've been there for over 15 years.
Luna Transmissions 3276 National Ave. 619.231.0730 Tell them Rafael and Woody sent you.
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Bielefeld
Junior Nomad
Posts: 67
Registered: 1-17-2008
Location: In Baja, living the live
Member Is Offline
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Thanks so far for the comeback. Probably will take the advice from bajaguy and see the GM dealer in Ensenada first.
The truck is a 1993 GMC 2500 with the big 4L80E transmission. The mechanic in Loreto, Romero near the airport, had a scanner but got no messages for
the tranny.
So I will see tomorrow.
A racecar mechanic here in Punta Banda, where I am right now, suggested a guy in Maneadero. Trained and worked on transmissions in the US. Will check
him out tomorrow,too.
I will report back after the "event".
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
Member Is Offline
Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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An automatic transmission shop must have an absolutely clean environment. Concrete everything, even clean ceilings, and tops of light fixtures. Metal
or plastic work benches, not wood. One tiny speck in a valve body, or servo can prevent a transmission from working correctly. A manual transmission
is much more forgiving.
If I pull up to a shop that advertises automatic transmission work and it is dirty, I keep on trucking --- It would be 102% certain I would spend a
lot of money for nothing.
Just my 2Ȼ worth.
A Lot To See And A Lot To Do
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comitan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4177
Registered: 3-27-2004
Location: La Paz
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Mood: mellow
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If its a hard clunky shift from 2 to 3rd, you just have to have one of the valves drilled.
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
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Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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DAVID E
YOU 100 PERCENT RIGHT ON THIS !!
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