You’re returning home after driving a long distance. You pull off the interstate and stop at the signal. When you take-off, the transmission shifts very hard and sticks in second gear. All sorts of thoughts race through your mind, "Can I make it home," "What’s happening," and "How much is this going to cost?" You make it home and get out the phone book. After finding the transmission shops you start calling, looking for information. "How much is a rebuilt transmission?" This may seem like a reasonable course of action, but may very well set the unsuspecting driver up for a very expensive lesson. So what’s so wrong with asking for a price?
The auto repair trade has more than its share of shady operators. Transmissions being an expensive component and one few people know much about are particularly prone to fraud. Shysters love nothing more than the call that begins, "How much is a rebuilt transmission?"
First, the phrase identifies the caller as a person with no automotive knowledge [sucker?] Secondly, it announces that the caller is in the market for a transmission. The unscrupulous operator has designed their entire approach around just such an opportunity. They have studied the market, know what others are likely to say and have an answer, in advance for every objection.
They will rattle off a price, that is near the low end of the market, free towing and inspection. The price quoted makes them no difference, it’s not the price they will charge. To such an operation, price is merely a tool, to get the vehicle in the shop. Once in the shop, they will quickly disable the vehicle, (i.e., take the transmission apart.) Once the vehicle is disabled, the odds are much higher it will not leave. If it does, it may not leave with its original parts.
The point is, no one ever established that the transmission was bad in the first place. Far more likely the vehicle has an electrical problem and is in "limp mode." This is a default mode, built into many transmissions. When the control circuit is interrupted, the transmission can no longer determine the proper gear. It locks in second to allow the driver to "limp" home and seek service. Something as simple as a loose wire could be the cause.
I wiser approach is to spend time seeking an honest and dependable shop. Tell them the symptom, my transmission is stuck in second gear. Have them diagnose the problem and go from there. It is impossible to diagnose such a problem without seeing the vehicle. Further, there is nothing that is ever free. If a shop pays a wrecker to bring the vehicle in they are not doing it for free. Honest shops simply tell you this up-front.
A free diagnosis is the same. Why go to a shop, that will only be paid, if they find something wrong? Once the shyster has invested $60-$100 in a wrecker and several hours disabling the vehicle, it is not likely they will connect a loose wire and return the vehicle.
In an honest shop, the cost will be fair and what is needed to correct the problem. They will not disable the vehicle as all diagnosis ends at that point. Think it through before you make an expensive mistake.
