Questions and Answers

Mazda Automatic Transmission Q. I have a 1989 Mazda 929 with 130,000 miles. I just had a major tune up (timing belt, water pump, etc. including changing the automatic transmission fluid and filter, if any). Sometime thereafter, I noticed I have no second gear. It wraps up in first and then lurches into third. I took it to the shop that did the tune up, and they didn't see a problem with the transmission.

I took it to the dealer, and they replaced the vacuum diaphragm, but that had no effect. I took it to a transmission shop, and he agreed it had no second. He told me that there a trouble code on the speed sensor that sits on the transmission, but he thought that could not be the cause of the problem as it would affect all gears equally. He wants to rebuilt the transmission for $1,800.00 - $2,800.00.

The car is like family and I am not in a position to buy a new one so I might do that. I saw somewhere on the Internet rebuilt transmissions for that car from Japan with 50,000 mile warranties for under $500.00. What are your thoughts? I would have called you but I couldn't find the price of the call anywhere on the web site and I like to know what I am getting into.

Thanks so much,
Steve

A. There is a second gear band that is adjustable. So before I do anything else, I would have that band adjusted and see what difference it makes.

If it doesn't help, then you will need to have the transmission rebuilt or replaced.

I don't know if you're going to find a remanufactured transmission with a 5 year/50,000 mile warranty for $500.00. However you can get a remanufactured unit from Jasper with a 3 year/75,000 mile warranty. (Check the Jasper web site to see if this is still applicable.)

However, I do not recommend Accurate Transmissions. I have had nothing but problems with them and, in my opinion, they have a very shady warranty.