Trans fluid myth + stalling issue

[Nick939]

Hi guys, just need a few tips as I am quite new to cars especially when it comes to DIY fixes. I have a 2003 vrx TL sedan with 230XXX.

A mechanic friend of mine was working on my car and recommended me not to change my trans fluid as it had not been changed for a long time. Apparently it can mess up your whole transmission system if you do it. I read up about this online and some say this is a myth and that i should change it while others agree with my mechanic friend. Any one with any experience with this or opinions on what I should do? (leave it and hope for the best; or change it and hope for the best)?

I also have a stalling problem. 2 months ago my car stalled while stopped at lights twice in one day. I kept driving it since then and no issues until it started again recently. Its happened 3 times in the last 2 days and have a feeling its getting worse. I also think it has only happened while my aircon has been on too. Any tips on where to start on resolving this issue?

Finally is there anyway these 2 issues are linked?

Cheers, Nick

[ammerty]

... is there anyway these 2 issues are linked?

Cheers, Nick

Not likely. Your stalling issue is more likely electrical, possibly MAF sensor. Is the check engine light on?

Are you the original owner? Do you know when your fluid was last changed, if at all? What colour is your transmission fluid?

[Nick939]

Not likely. Your stalling issue is more likely electrical, possibly MAF sensor. Is the check engine light on?

Are you the original owner? Do you know when your fluid was last changed, if at all? What colour is your transmission fluid?

The only light that stays on is the SRS light. I am not the original owner, no idea when fluid was last changed. The mechanic told me that it doesnt look like its been changed in a very long time as it is brown.

[Madmagna]

Your mechanic mate is an idiot.

Damage may well have been done if has not been changed for so long BUT that being said, is just doing more damage

Change it as soon as you can, flush it. You may end up with a dead trans but that is not because of the change it is because it was not changed for so long

Stalling most likely the MAF or ISC

[Neo]

Hi guys, just need a few tips as I am quite new to cars especially when it comes to DIY fixes. I have a 2003 vrx TL sedan with 230XXX.

A mechanic friend of mine was working on my car and recommended me not to change my trans fluid as it had not been changed for a long time. Apparently it can mess up your whole transmission system if you do it. I read up about this online and some say this is a myth and that i should change it while others agree with my mechanic friend. Any one with any experience with this or opinions on what I should do? (leave it and hope for the best; or change it and hope for the best)?

I also have a stalling problem. 2 months ago my car stalled while stopped at lights twice in one day. I kept driving it since then and no issues until it started again recently. Its happened 3 times in the last 2 days and have a feeling its getting worse. I also think it has only happened while my aircon has been on too. Any tips on where to start on resolving this issue?

Finally is there anyway these 2 issues are linked?

Cheers, Nick

Linked? Doubt it. 3/3 stalling issues I've experienced is the idle stepper motor, worst case was in my ralliart and there were no motor left. It was just a free spinning valve opening and closing as it pleased.

It sounds like your mechanic has a bad case of lazy d-bag syndrome. Please be careful when proceeding because it can be contagious if you spend too much time around him.

Remedy your trans by taking it to a trans specialist to do a flush before your trans does metal dropping all over the ground.

Cheerio mate.

[vlad]

And get them to use the proper transmission fluid. Genuine ones from Mitsubishi dealers ain't that much more expensive than shop bought ones and depending on how long you want to keep it, I suggest fitting an auxiliary transmission cooler.

[KWAWD]

And get them to use the proper transmission fluid. Genuine ones from Mitsubishi dealers ain't that much more expensive than shop bought ones and depending on how long you want to keep it ---.

This is important; need to use the corrrect Mitsubishi transmission fluid as too many issues come up with other fluids.

[AQUAR]

How many KM has the car done?
Is the ATF "blackish", does it smell burned?

Depending on the condition of the ATF and the AT, there may be some truth in what your mechanic is hinting at.

There are a few threads on AMC that provide "cautious" approaches to changing the ATF.
Have a look through those threads and maybe seek extra opinions based on your car's AT/ATF condition.

The respected advise on AMC is to flush all of the ATF.
And if the AT fails shortly after that, then it was already damaged (that does happen!).
Question then becomes - if left alone how much longer would it have worked?

[Nick939]

Your mechanic mate is an idiot.

Damage may well have been done if has not been changed for so long BUT that being said, is just doing more damage

Change it as soon as you can, flush it. You may end up with a dead trans but that is not because of the change it is because it was not changed for so long

Stalling most likely the MAF or ISC

Cheers for the advice. I think im gunna go with what you said, however, if it the trans does die, what kind of costs will I be looking at to fix it?

Also, sorry to sound like a noob, but what does MAF/ISC stand for? And how do I know which one to replace? The stalling has gotten a lot worse as I suspected. Whenever I leave A/C on and not accelerating, it pretty much always stalls. Been a pain in the ass because its been pissing down lately and I nned the A/C to defrost (defog) the windows.. Stalling issue is my main priority to fix atm.

How many KM has the car done?
Is the ATF "blackish", does it smell burned?

Depending on the condition of the ATF and the AT, there may be some truth in what your mechanic is hinting at.

There are a few threads on AMC that provide "cautious" approaches to changing the ATF.
Have a look through those threads and maybe seek extra opinions based on your car's AT/ATF condition.

The respected advise on AMC is to flush all of the ATF.
And if the AT fails shortly after that, then it was already damaged (that does happen!).
Question then becomes - if left alone how much longer would it have worked?

Car has just hit 230,000. ATF is brownish last time I checked and did smell a bit burnt. Can check up on those again tomorrow. Cheers for you input mate.

[WytWun]

MAF = Mass Air Flow (sensor)
ISC = Idle Speed Control (usually referring to the ISC stepper motor/valve assembly on the throttle body)