Okay guys, so I am having an issue with the ZF in my 03. It started as a shifting issue going from 1st to 2nd gear, now I am having the same "slip bump" issue going from 2nd to 3rd and 5th to 6th.

I took it to my reputable mechanic today and he drove the car noted the same issues I was complaining of above as well as pulling the codes from the TCM / ECU. There are NO codes present so he took a sample of the fluid and found "debris / contamination" in the fluid.

The car has 140K on it and I last had the trans serviced at 79K. There was no contamination back then, but that was 4 years ago and 70K miles ago. Needless to say based on their findings they are recommending a full transmission rebuild. I dont think they are unreasonable as the shifting issues are slowly getting worse. My real question to everyone is have you experienced any similar issues with the ZF Trans and what can I expect to pay for a complete rebuild any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers!

 

I don't have much experience with the ZF and I'm sure others would chime in. I would almost try a fluid/filter change first. Also, when I had my 5R55N trans rebuilt I was told to consider changing the fluid every 2 years/20K miles. I think this interval is stringent but it is a requirement on my extended warranty coverage.

Good Luck...

 

I do not believe that you have enough pertinent information right now to warrant a transmission re-build. I concur with abonano's recommendation to consider a proper ATF drain-and-fill first....

 

cbharley, my 135k mile 03 STR had a similar presentation as yours thus is presently with AMMCO having a rebuilt trans. and torque converter installed. Originally, the trans shop and warranty company squabled over cost of AMMCO's price for rebuilding it, leading to the warranty company opting for the less costly shipping a rebuilt trans. and converter.

 

I have just over 120k on my '03 STR and had my tranny rebuilt last month. They quoted me at about $3500, but in the end it was closer to $4500 because I needed a new TCM. Oh and the torque converter was replaced as well. After a few weeks of driving to let the system relearn how to shift (stupid adaptive crap) it's so much better now.

 

Im at 95k with my 03 str, i hope im not heading towards transmission problems.

 

I'm at 125K miles on my wifes 03 STR now and have zero trans issues. I did change the filter/fluid at 80K miles and would also recommend you try a fluid/filter change before thinking about rebuilding. I found out (after I bought the car of course) that they thought the trans was on the way out, which explains why I got a gret deal. But, a new filter and fluid drain/refill and 45k miles later not a single issue. This is a much cheaper option and may solve the problem. If not, at least you tried!

 

AMMCO - Heard many horror stories about their work. I hope they do right by you... I would have pushed the warranty company to go elsewhere to get the work performed. (if you had that option...)

 

abonnano, 10-4 on AMMOCO. They're practically the only game in town near me. I was delighted that a rebuilt trans and converter are being installed vs AMMCO rebuilding original trans.

 

Oh... they're installing rebuilt units... Good Deal!!!...Phew!

 

I love (believe me) the idea of a trans service with new ZF fluid and filter! I initially has sought the route as well... Sadly, my guy took out a fluid sample (he is reputable and did it right in front of me - hey I was curious to see the fstkat's underbelly). And there were definite signs of contaminants - metal shavings if you will...

He said " we can do a trans service first, but with the shape this fluid is in, it will probably speed things up or it may not want to shift at all. Basically the contaminated sludge is the only thing keeping the pressure up in the trans...

I seriously dont know why the metal shavings' I don't "J-Gate" the care I changed the fluid and services per the manual and 90% of the 140k mileson the odometer are highway miles...

This is the 3 rd major repair this year, total invested since January drumroll please..... $8650.

I just want my silver cat back the way she used to be pre 100K!

 

Though many have trans. shifting flawlessly well over the 100k mark, Jaguar's intentions were a 100k trans. without a fluid swap. Abonano, the warranty company saw the logic of ordering a rebuilt trans. vs a more expensive AMMCO rebuild on the original trans. Regardless, a separate trans. warranty will be in place for one year or 50k miles.

 

bfsgross - interesting notion on that extended warranty - Mine is 3 years or 100K miles with $0 deductible...

 

Hmmm? Ammco provides a 1 year or 50k mile warranty on trans. they rebuild. Perhaps there's a diffrent warranty on the warranty company rebuild. I'll ask.

 

Yeh... who drives 50K miles in a year? Even if the warranty was 3 years/50K miles or something of that nature... hopefully, the warranty company will have good news for you...

 

Got the call this afternoon on the Transmission... Looks like the valve body is shot along with the TC... Parts are being overnighted from Jaguar to try and get the car back up and running before the weekend. Anyone that is having transmission issues just prep yourself for a heafty bill...

Total with parts, labor and tax.... $4,858.89

I say that falls squarely in the financial vicinity of OUCH and BOING!!!!!

 

cbharley, sorry to hear the trans wacked your wallet. I picked up a warranty 6 months ago in anticipation of a failed trans., etc. Due to the higher cost of a trans. rebuild and torque converter, the warranty company opted to have a rebuilt unit sent to trans shop. Hopefully will get her back next week.

 

Okay now I am really frustrated... $5K for complete rebuild including a new valve body 3 weeks in the shop on the rack (thanks to Hurricane Sandy) apparantely in 2003 the valve body has to be customized and the only place within 500 miles that could do it was in.... wait for it... New Jersey! Just got the car back tonight and am having some really bad issues with this rebuilt trans...

The car still seems to slip and bump from 1st to 2nd gear... It has a really bad slip bump again on the down shift from 2nd to 1st, when you are coming to a stop at a light. all other gears seem to be okay so far, but this thing was completely rebuilt from the ground up even replacing that $$$$ valve body with a brand new one.

Anyone have any ideas for me, at first I thought it had to "re-learn" its shift patterns but that shouldnt be, I didnt have an issue when the car was new with the 1-2 up and down shifts...

On a positive note, solved the shimmy issue I have had for the past 2 years! The transmission mounts were cracked and the drive shaft couplers were shot!

 

cbharley, immediately bring her back to the trans shop! Don't drive nor wait too long to have this trans issue rectified by those who contracted to repair. The poor shift quality is due to either a faulty TCM or improper rebuild.

 

Thanks man, thats what I thought too. I am concerned that either the TCM is bad or something else is wrong. Its actually worse now than it was before it was rebuilt... Oh and after we got her home it had a metallic smell that we thought was maybe just the new parts "breaking in"... Now the more I think about it, maybe its the new parts just plain breaking... UGH!!!