Saturn Vue Transmission Problems/Transmission Control Module
 

I have a 2008 Saturn Saturn Vue XE
Recently I have been having a problem when you go to drive it the gears wont shift properly and the rpm will shoot up like the gear is stuck. The car has a problem going over 30 mph. You can pull over and turn it off and then the car will start running properly again but the check engine light comes on.
I brought it to a local mechanic and after having it for a few days he told me that he wasn't sure what the problem was and that my transmission fluid was low and he would top off my fluids.
I took it to a GMC dealership and they told me that the code for the Transmission Control Module popped up and that it needs to be replaced. I called around to a bunch of transmission shops and they said they doubted that was the problem with the car and that it would be a waste of money to replace this. Before I bring this car around to a bunch of other shops to get their opinion- has anyone else had this problem with their car. If so- can you please message me and let me know what the problem was with your car.
My vue has 113,000 miles on it, awd, v6

Those are called shift flares.

Your issue is the 3,5,R waveplate in the transmission.
You have a 1st gen 6T70 transmission in that vehicle.

1st gen 6T70 and 6T75's had an issue where the waveplate associated with 3rd, 5th, and R gears would break due to a manufacturing design flaw, causing the shift flares betw 3rd and 4th, 5th and 6th, and shifting into reverse.

Some people only experienced shift flares in some of the gears or a lack of 3, 5, and or R entirely.

GM issued an extended warranty coverage bulletin on that issue.

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Updated Bulletin:

#14404A: Special Coverage Adjustment - Transmission Clutch Wave Plate - (Mar 11, 2015)
Subject: 14404A – Special Coverage Adjustment – Transmission Clutch Wave Plate

Models: 2007-2009 Buick Enclave
2008-2009 Chevrolet Equinox, Malibu
2009 Chevrolet Traverse
2007-2009 GMC Acadia
2007-2009 Pontiac G6
2008-2009 Pontiac Torrent
2007-2009 Saturn AURA, OUTLOOK
2008-2009 Saturn VUE
Equipped with FWD or AWD and 6-Spd Automatic Transmission
(RPO MH2, MH4, MH6, or MY9)

This bulletin is being revised to add the 2008-2009 Saturn VUE, add transmission RPO codes, and update the Warranty Transaction information section. Please discontinue use, and discard all copies of Special Coverage Recall 14404.

Condition
Some 2007-2009 model year Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, Pontiac G6, Saturn AURA and OUTLOOK, 2008-2009 model year Chevrolet Equinox and Malibu, Pontiac Torrent, and Saturn VUE, and 2009 model year Chevrolet Traverse vehicles identified above and, equipped with a 6T70 or 6T75 - 6 speed FWD automatic transmission –– may experience a cracked or fractured wave plate, resulting in a loss of 3rd, 5th and reverse gears.

Special Coverage Adjustment
This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 10 years or 120,000 miles (193,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership.

Dealers are to replace the 3rd /5th / reverse clutch plate. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer.

For vehicles covered by Vehicle Service Contracts, all eligible claims with repair orders on or after March 2, 2015 are covered by this special coverage and must be submitted using the labor operation codes provided with this bulletin. Claims with repair orders prior to March 2, 2015 must be submitted to the Service Contract provider.

Vehicles Involved
All involved vehicles are identified by Vehicle Identification Number on the Applicable Warranties section in GM Global Warranty Management system. Dealership service personnel should always check this site to confirm vehicle involvement prior to beginning any required inspections and/or repairs. It is important to routinely use this tool to verify eligibility because not all similar vehicles may be involved regardless of description or option content.

Go to Chevy Dealership IMMEDIATELY to determine the date the vehicle was put into service. They can lok it up by VIN. If you are the original owner it is on the paperwork you signed before pulling off the lot.

Some 08's were of course built in 07, so it IS possible to be outside the 10 yr limit during 2017 depending on when you or the orig owner drove it off the lot.
************************************************** **
GET A MOVE ON IT --it's a $4000 job if you have to eat it.

Mine failed at 92K.

Pls let us know the outcome.

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Customer Reimbursement – For US
Customer requests for reimbursement of previously paid repairs to correct the condition described in this bulletin are to be submitted to the dealer by March 31 2016, unless otherwise specified by state law. If this is not convenient for the customer, they may mail the completed Customer Reimbursement Request Form and all required documents to the GM Customer Assistance Center. Repairs must have occurred within the 10 years of the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, or 120,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

All reasonable and customary costs to correct the condition described in this bulletin should be considered for reimbursement. Any questions or concerns should be reviewed with your GM representative prior to processing the request.

When a customer requests reimbursement, they must provide the following:

A completed Customer Reimbursement Request Form. This form is mailed to the customer or can be obtained through GM GlobalConnect.
The name and address of the person who paid for the repair.
Paid receipt confirming the amount of the repair expense, a description of the repair, and the person or entity performing the repair.
Important: GM requires dealers to approve or deny a reimbursement request within 30 days of receipt. If a reimbursement request is approved, the dealer should immediately issue a check to the customer and submit an appropriate warranty transaction for the incurred expense. If a reimbursement request is denied, the dealer MUST provide the customer with a clear and concise explanation, in writing, as to why the request was denied. The bottom portion of the Customer Reimbursement Request Form may be used for this purpose. If the denial was due to missing documents, the customer can resubmit the request when the missing documents are obtained, as long as it is still within the allowed reimbursement period.

Warranty transactions for customer reimbursement of previously paid repairs are to be submitted as required by GM Global Warranty Management. Additional information can also be found in Warranty Administration Bulletin 11-00-89-004.

Customer Reimbursement – For Canada and Export
Customer requests for reimbursement of previously paid repairs to correct the condition described in this bulletin are to be submitted to the dealer prior to or by March 31, 2016. Repairs must have occurred within the 10 years of the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, or 193,000 kilometers, whichever occurs first.

When a customer requests reimbursement, they must provide the following:

— Proof of ownership at time of repair.

— Original paid receipt confirming the amount of unreimbursed repair expense(s) (including Service Contract deductibles), a description of the repair, and the person or entity performing the repair.

All reasonable and customary costs to correct the condition described in this bulletin should be considered for reimbursement. Any questions or concerns should be reviewed with your GM representative prior to processing the request.

Courtesy Transportation – For US and Canada
The General Motors Courtesy Transportation program is intended to minimize customer inconvenience when a vehicle requires a repair that is covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranties. The availability of courtesy transportation to customers whose vehicles are within the warranty coverage period and involved in a product program is very important in maintaining customer satisfaction. Dealers are to ensure that these customers understand that shuttle service or some other form of courtesy transportation is available and will be provided at no charge. Dealers should refer to the General Motors Service Policies and Procedures Manual for Courtesy Transportation guidelines.

Warranty Transaction Information
Submit a transaction using the table below. All transactions should be submitted as a ZREG transaction type, unless noted otherwise.

Note: To avoid having to "H" route the customer reimbursement, transaction for approval, it must be submitted prior to the repair transaction.

Labor Code
Description
Labor Time
Net Item
9900125
**3-5-Reverse Clutch Plate Replacement (All-Wheel Drive)
12.3
N/A
9900126
**3-5-Reverse Clutch Plate Replacement (Front-Wheel Drive)
11.5
N/A
9900127
Customer Reimbursement Approved
0.2
*
9900128
Customer Reimbursement Denied - For US dealers only
0.1
N/A
* The amount identified in “Net Item” should represent the dollar amount reimbursed to the customer.

** Includes all associated parts, cleaning / flushing and front end alignment.

Customer Notification
General Motors will notify customers of this special coverage on their vehicles (see copy of typical customer letter included with this bulletin - actual divisional letter may vary slightly).

Per the info in your PM about getting shot down by GM because not all gears need be affected on a 35R waveplate failure to qualify for coverage--that's utter bowl sheet.

I can't believe they told you it had to be all three gears -- ask them where the coverage states that or where the initial TSB says that. They all say the customer MAY not have use of xxxx gear. Liars.

I only had shift flares in 3to 4th and 5th to 6. Reverse was fine. They are full of ****. The wording in the coverage does not state that all three gears must simultaneously act up.

GM BS like this is why my wife now drives a Ford. The only product GM ever stood behind for me is the 1st n 2nd gen S cars.

It's $4K they have to eat if it is a true 3, 5, r issue so they will try to bull**** you until you give up. Do not give up and DO NOT AGREE verbally or in writing to anything they say concerning this issue.
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For starters, confirm the forward gears which are causing you trouble by either counting the gear shifts or driving in S (sport) mode and using tapshift if you have it. Better yet, have a friend in the passenger seat count the shifts for you so you don't crash.

Whatever gear the transmission is in when the rpms ramp up right before the shift is the gear you refer to as having the flare. So if I remember correctly, this occurs between 3rd -4th gr and 5th-6 gear. Again, having all three gears totally disabled including R is stated nowhere in the additional warranty coverage and is bull**** used to turn away the uninformed so that R can go 3k from now and you'll be out of coverage. The waveplate need not be totally fractured, R can work w 3 and 5 not behaving correctly.
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What Code have they pulled for the TCM?

It just so happens the TCM is -- you guessed it---inside the transmission as the tranny fluid is used to keep it cool. So they have to open up your tranny to replace THAT anyway. They may. No idea of labor cost. They may open it up for the TCM and THEN tell you there is a 35R issue in order to recoup labor costs. Dealers HATE warranty work b/c they make $0 from t, it takes up a diag slot on the shop floor, tech diag time, blah blah blah. They will likely outsource both jobs to their favorite local tranny shop.


THe TCM error Txxxx or Pxxxx is critical here--we need to link it on the forum boards to an error seen when 35R occurs.
Also no idea if it is a ghost code triggered by the failure of a 35R failure.
Then again, it may be the only true problem.

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but if you have an earlyish 1st Gen 6T70 in your 2008 vue, it WILL fail. It was not heat treated properly to relieve internal stresses in the steel--that is why it is fracturing but none of the others are.

I need the code that incriminates the TCM ASAP.

GM hates customers like you who try to slide into home plate as the throw comes to the catcher when it's clear they can't snow you from even the first round. Knowledge is power. THe fact that they had to deflect the 35R statement from you with ---doesn't qualify since R works -- prety much tells me they are graspng at straws because you already have them covered.

BE SURE the dealership service writer includes documentation the "Customer states transmission concerns are 35R wave plate related, as indicated on the initial visit at 117xxx mi on ( the date you first brought it in). This keeps them from pretending after the fact that 35R diagnosis was never a consideration. Their response to you is proof of that but is not enough.

They may try to fix the TCM in the hopes your car will shift properly until you are out of warranty so that they can skirt the $4K bill.

Just remember THIS dealership is not the only one who can do the work.
Do your research. There may be other dealerships more sympathetic to your cause. Just keep your cool.

THe "it has to be 3 5 and R" is like your tire pressure monitor needs to indicate the pressure is low in your tire to have a flat. Rim sitting on the pavement isn't good enough if you're only getting a LF tire pressure indicator not found code b/c it is a 1/2 mi behind you where the tire blew out.

And you'd be surprised what kind of holier than though scum (*NOT* you) request when they ask questions on this forum.

"Please PM me with the answer" (no-- you are not special. I'm going to post it in the forum where I post answers to all the other posters - especially those with more than 1 post)

"I don't need any backyard mechanic THEORIES, I need the correct answer ASAP, so don't post guesses, just the right answer" (no, I'm banning your holier than thou ass)

" I am in desperate need of advice on ......". We give advice. One n done.

"I've done x y and z with no success". Suggest abc. "I then tried frh" Bye Bye

After 13 yrs modding this place I have negative patience for people who walk in and think they deserve anything other than the standard polite helpful forum experience here at saturnforum.com. If you state your needs are that specialized in the first post, why whould anyone want to read the second one?

The "I'm not your secretary" comment was the culmination of 23459 previous posters requesting the same thing. They all got told post it in the forum, get your answers there. Only 20% did. F'ing strange. Cut n paste works pretty well...(?)

It was a deterrent comment. You will be he only user in Saturnforum history to ever have a tech post addressed through my PMs. Last time I checked the collector's guides, the associated bozo buttons that come with that are still not worth ****.

I'll just have to find fame and fortune some other way. Paper Machee Grand Master, beatnik, huffing reviews by brand....I'll find something

My service invoice states from the dealership: check for 14404 special coverage. When I went to pick up my vue the lady who helped me at the desk said that the problem with my car was electrical and not mechanical due to the codes that came up. I asked her if I go ahead with these repairs will it fix the issue I am having with my car and she said we cant guarantee that it will only fix the codes that came up. I paid a $100 service fee for looking into the special coverage warranty and went on my car because I felt like they didn't put one ounce of help or try to look into anything on my car. The autozone tech was more helpful in reading codes when the check engine light first came on.
At the dealership they said this is what I needed to fix the car and it is written up as: repair: declined: transmission control module-$1550 tx, oil pressure swtich-$190tx.
They didn't tell me what the codes were that they were reading.
I brought it to autozone when the first check engine light came up (before I went to the dealer) and they said it was a transmission solenoid code.
I called another GMC dealership a few towns over and they seem like they would be much more helpful in this issue with the special coverage. The mechanic I spoke to said that my problem could be the 35r waveplate. And I believe my next step will be to go over to this dealership and see what they can do to help me. I have no confidence in the first dealership I took this car to.

It definitely sounds like you need to go to the 2nd dealership that you contacted. The first one KNOWS it's going to be the 35r warranty work and doesn't want to do it. If the second dealership does the work for you, I'd expect you'll be doing your business with them in the future for parts etc.

Dealerships vary greatly, once you find a good one stay with them. I work on a lot of Fords at work we have found a Ford dealer that is great to work with. They go out of their way to please us even after warranty. Therefore we send them a lot of repair work.

Transportation is transportation.

Saturns with broken timing chains and belts sell for $300 without even knowing the extent of the internal damage.

DIYers in the know with the skills to match fix n flip these cars.

Folks that live in states without inspection gobble these up.

Listening to some old Triumph, eh derf? Great band from Toronto.

Any updates?