Question: > Last month I purchased a 2003 Dodge Durango with an auto transmission. It was higher mileage, 95,000, and was a state vehicle so it was supposed to be well maintained. Anyway, to the question.
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> I took it in to have it serviced and they changed the transmission fluid. It had never shifted rough or had any problems shifting before but I figured it may need that. After the service on it was done I picked it up and within 5 miles or so it hesitated shifting. Within another 20 miles it wouldn\'t go into gear at all, you couldn\'t even feel it trying to shift. Now the person that serviced it said that they didn\'t do anything that would cause that but I have my doubts. The next day it was able to get in gear but he told me I need transmission service. I\'m trying to find out what the problem could be and the chances that he did in fact cause the issue with it quitting so abrubtly?
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> Any help would be greatly appreciated as I\'m extremely frustrated and stumped.
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> Thank you

Answer: Matthew,
Thanks for the question. I've heard of this happening with higher mileage cars due to dirt build-up inside. Sometimes flushing the dirt out can cause shifting problems. Also the wrong transmission fluid (should use mopar ATF+4) could cause a shifting problem.
There is a Chrysler bulletin: no. 21-015-05 that indicates a problem with the wrong transmission filter being installed.
The transmission should be tested by a qualified trans shop. There may be only minor troubles with sensors or solenoids.
Suggest flushing with the correct fluid before an major repairs.
Thank you.

Question: have a 1993 Buick Lesabre that will not shift when cold, it takes a few minutes to warm up. If I pull the vacuum line off the modulator it will speed up the time it takes to kick in. When I do get started driving i\'ll get about a couple of blocks down the road and the car will start idling and coughing likes its going to cut off. I have to keep patting the gas and it will eventually catch. Also when I come to a stop the car sometimes will not move, I have to wait a minute or two.

Answer: Thank you for the question. Your car will need testing to diagnoise the problem. If there was a "CHECK ENGINE" light or "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" light that would indicate a code may be stored in the coumputer memory. Checking with "Identifix" and "Alldata" for information and bulletins found many possibilities. May be something as simple as a bad wiring harness or as bad as a complete transmission replacement (due to a lock-up condition) or even multiple problems. So it may be a minor repair or as large as rebuilding a transmission (approximately $1700). If you would like us to diagnoise the problem, please call us for an appointment.

Sorry we couldn't be more specific, but this problem needs to have some diagnostic tests done to accurately diagnois this problem.

Thank you.

Question: I have a 96 Mitsubishi Galant w/ 100,000+ miles. When I drive it first thing in the morning, I hear a loud squeaking noise when I accelerate for about 1 minute and then it stops. It sounds like a belt squeaking. Is there a fix for that? My neighbors would sure appreciate it!!!

Answer: Thanks for the question.

The noise is more likely the belt. The belt could be worn and/or stretched.
This belt
also has an adjustment that should be checked.
The noise first thing in the morning is due to the high stress on the belt.
This is caused by the alternator recharging the battery after starting.
Thank you.