Auto Transmission Advice

[seageek]

Hi..I'm new to the group and have a 2003 Protege5 with the triptronic auto transmission. I've had this thing about 2 years and it's recently been having a hard time shifting from 2-3. Finally yesterday it wouldn't even shift out of 2nd.
I've just replaced the filter and put about 4qt of new fluid in (easy fix first!) but it's still jacked up.
The fluid was brown and toasty.
So I'm thinking I want to find a used auto to swap out.
Does anyone recommend any local Denver junkyards for used transmissions??
Or does anyone have a tranny left over from a ATX to MTX swap??
Also if anyone has done this before and has advice and/or photos I'd appreciate any input!
Also, when I remove the old tranny/install replacement I'll be sure and take lots of pics for anyone that may need to do this in the future....I guess these transmissions are pretty lame from what I've been reading online and judging by the fact that mine only has 38,000 miles...!!!!
Thanks,
Noah

[AIM WO4]

Holy crap. 38K? Where did you get the car? Seems like a power train issue that you should call Mazda about.

I don't have much Mazda knowledge, but it sounds like you need a new tranny. Have you checked for rebuild kits? I hope we have someone on here that can assist.

[seageek]

I bought the car used...could've been abused...
Called Gateway Mazda and my warranty expired in '07 and they don't seem to care about the low mileage. The service mgr told me it sounded like it'd need a new tranny..to the tune of $3800 installed.
I've rebuilt a GM tranny before..kind of a lot of work. The kits are around $250 for these transmissions..plus $25 for a good manual. I'm kind of hoping a decent used one will turn up and I can pop it in quick...this p5 is my daily driver..!
AIMWO4 - you from Canada? I grew up near Toronto...
Cheers,
Noah

[MazdaTom]

Valve body maybe?

I have the same transmission in my Protege. At 38,000 miles, that's only 8,000 miles past the first fluid change. What type of fluid did you put in? Mercon V or M-V (multi vehicle)?

The guy that started this thread knows his shit about automatic transmissions:
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123734179

Good luck.

[seageek]

That's a great link MazdaTom! Can't believe I haven't stumbled on that one yet ... been searching for solutions online all day...
I used Mercon V when I changed the filter today. I actually had the tranny flushed when I bought the car cause the shifting just didn't feel right. The shop insisted that their 'universal' fluid was fine for the p5..I'm more than a little skeptical now...

[MazdaTom]

Well even Mercon V isn't the right stuff either. You really need M-V fluid- which stands for multi vehicle and not Mercon V. Confusing, I know. Mazda released a tech document saying that the use of Mercon V in transmissions requiring M-V could do damage (I don't think they specifically listed the Protege in the document though).

I use Red Line's D4 fluid. It's about $10/qt but it has been good to me. I did the DIY flush at 30,000 miles and put it in. Then at 60,000 miles I changed it again when I put the upgraded valve body in. 10,000+ miles later and the transmission has been doing great.

I also have an auxilary transmission fluid cooler. I'm not using the factory cooler at all anymore. I've been running that for about 20,000 miles or so.

If it turns out that it is your valve body, that is pretty easy to change out- just messy. Just one step deeper into the transmission than changing the filter/strainer. Lentech (a Canadian company) makes an upgraded valve body for about $400.

[MazdaTom]

OK, here's that link to that tech document:
http://www.finishlineperformance.com/pdf/tribute/05-005-08-1928.pdf
While it doesn't list the Protege, I believe the automatic transmissions in the Mazda3 and Mazda6 (2.3L) are the same as the Protege's.

So hopefully it doesn't turn out too be too expensive for you.

[seageek]

Thanks for that link. I stumbled across Lentech's site...great that someone is making the effort to build performance parts for these transmissions! Aux coolers are always a good idea too.
I'm hoping I can find a cheap used tranny to swap in and then start pulling this one apart to see what caused the problem.
My research seems to show that this is a common problem but there doesn't seem to be a universal explanation!
Here are a few theories...
'End cover' needs upgrading:
http://www.carforums.net/showthread.php?t=68149
http://forum.mazda6club.com/index.php?showtopic=109792&st=0&start=0
http://picasaweb.google.com/hollosym/BrokenTransmissionParts#5302426066337122082
or...
Bore and replace ‘servo pin’ in case:
http://www.northlandtransmission.com/servobore/4f27.asp
or...
Needs total rebuild:
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123734179
or...
Need to replace Solenoids:
http://www.atsgmiami.com/articles/html/4F27E%20Shift%20Strategy/4F27E%20Shift%20Strategy.htm
http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1686926
or...
Need to replace Band:
http://www.makcotransmissionparts.com/B48022A.html

[AIM WO4]

I think it was a band wear prob in Saabs. It's tough to say until you have it apart. I used to throw trannies together back in the old days. LOL

I am from Victoria. Spent my summers there after moving to L.A. I still go as often as possible to the island. Should be there this Summer.

I've spent quite a bit of time in PEI, too.

Johnny

I bought the car used...could've been abused...
Called Gateway Mazda and my warranty expired in '07 and they don't seem to care about the low mileage. The service mgr told me it sounded like it'd need a new tranny..to the tune of $3800 installed.
I've rebuilt a GM tranny before..kind of a lot of work. The kits are around $250 for these transmissions..plus $25 for a good manual. I'm kind of hoping a decent used one will turn up and I can pop it in quick...this p5 is my daily driver..!
AIMWO4 - you from Canada? I grew up near Toronto...
Cheers,
Noah

[seageek]

OK, time for an update. I've finally fixed my transmission! I'll make a fresh post with the solution so anyone with the same problem can search/find it without having to scroll to the bottom of this thread....