Transmission Issue

[Squishman]

The reverse went out on my 2019 Dodge Journey Crossroad on Friday. I'll find out tomorrow if my transmission needs to be rebuilt. I got 2 codes on my gizmo. Google says it likely needs to be rebuilt. Good thing.I have a motorcycle for errands and whatnot. Can't work though because I use my car for work.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

What are the code numbers?

 

[TLS Guy]

The reverse went out on my 2019 Dodge Journey Crossroad on Friday. I'll find out tomorrow if my transmission needs to be rebuilt. I got 2 codes on my gizmo. Google says it likely needs to be rebuilt. Good thing.I have a motorcycle for errands and whatnot. Can't work though because I use my car for work.

I see those vehicles are widely known for transmission problems. Which transmission to you have? There is a four speed and a six speed.

Best advice is to have a remanufactured transmission installed. Cost is usually $3,500 range installed.

The trouble with having a local shop do it, is that they do not usually have hyperclean environments, whereas factory type establishments do. With modern transmissions if there is the slightest contamination you are back where you started in no time.

When it is fixed dump it, and look for a Toyota or Subaru. Subaru have a real reputation for longevity.

 

[Squishman]

What are the code numbers?

P0736 and P0792

 

[Squishman]

I see those vehicles are widely known for transmission problems. Which transmission to you have? There is a four speed and a six speed.

Best advice is to have a remanufactured transmission installed. Cost is usually $3,500 range installed.

The trouble with having a local shop do it, is that they do not usually have hyperclean environments, whereas factory type establishments do. With modern transmissions if there is the slightest contamination you are back where you started in no time.

When it is fixed dump it, and look for a Toyota or Subaru. Subaru have a real reputation for longevity.

6 speed. I have the 3.6 six cylinder engine. I had 7 or 8 Grand Caravans and Town and Countries with the same basic engine and tranny since I started the medical route in 2008. So I am aware of Chrysler's transmission issues especially with this particular drivetrain. I have been through this a few times. But I thought that this Journey would be less susceptible to transmission issues since I have far less weight to pull around. You can really tell the difference, especially along the river road in Prescott, Wisconsin with all the hills and dales.
If you know of a place that has a reman for $3500, let me know! I have paid $6000 at Kennedy in the past. "Auto Pros of Apple Valley" has it currently. They haven't diagnosed it yet as I'm typing. They used to be called Transmission Doctor or something like that, but they now do it all, not just trannies. I think they are the same outfit as Richfield Transmission. They actually rebuild the thing. They ship it up to their shop in Blaine to be rebuilt. If it does need to be rebuilt, they already told me it's $6000 plus tax.
I will likely retire or go part time next year. I am not in a financial position to switch vehicles.
This is a huge expense for me at this time. Fortunately, I can pay for it. I have no debts, except still around $500 on the turntable, which I got zero interest for 6 months. So I did that. But I could pay for that of course right now too. I paid off my home in 26 months back in 2020. I have not paid a dime in credit card interest in 18 years.
I am going to search for a reman tranny now.

 

[Squishman]

Best advice is to have a remanufactured transmission installed. Cost is usually $3,500 range installed.

I am seeing some lower prices from national outfits. Plus some local possibilities. I'll make calls this morning when they open.

 

[Squishman]

So far they are all the same or more.

 

[TLS Guy]

P0736 and P0792

Those are sensor codes. However since those are together, and the vehicle won't reverse, you likely have a burnt out reverse clutch pack.

Those vehicles seem to be known for the above, which is strange as reverse does not get huge use.

How many miles on that vehicle?

In a situation like this, when a vehicle has less than a stellar reputation, you have to think hard about the best way forward. It is easy to "put good money after bad." So, you should always consider parting out and getting something more reliable.

If that vehicle has close to 100,000 miles or more on it, I would seriously consider parting it out.

 

[Squishman]

@TLS Guy , So they are charging me around $3500 for the transmission rebuild. But tons of other miscellaneous expenses brings it over 6k Like diagnosis, I don't know what else. It came over via text for me to approve. I should have saved it before I signed it, because now it's no longer viewable, since I signed off on it.
They added around $192 credit card fee. I called to make sure I can pay cash and save that fee. Dang though. I was counting on those reward points.

 

[Mikado463]

$192 CC fee, BS IMO. There was time not long ago when that was illegal.

How much did they charge you for diagnoses ?

 

[TLS Guy]

@TLS Guy , So they are charging me around $3500 for the transmission rebuild. But tons of other miscellaneous expenses brings it over 6k Like diagnosis, I don't know what else. It came over via text for me to approve. I should have saved it before I signed it, because now it's no longer viewable, since I signed off on it.
They added around $192 credit card fee. I called to make sure I can pay cash and save that fee. Dang though. I was counting on those reward points.

That is way too high for that job.

 

[Squishman]

$192 CC fee, BS IMO. There was time not long ago when that was illegal.

How much did they charge you for diagnoses ?

I don't remember. I didn't expect the document to be closed after I signed it!