I'm hoping somebody on this site may be able to help. I own a 2003 Montero Sport 2wd auto. that I bought new 3 years ago. The truck now has just over 70K miles on it. Yesterday and today when I was leaving work the transmission slipped into neutral for a moment and the check engine light came on - then it ran fine. This happened once 2 years ago and hasn't happened again since - well until now. When it happened before the check engine light came on for a day or so too, just like now. So should I assume the obvious and look into a new transmission or can someone make my day with better news?

Thanks a lot for any help.

Kevin

 

When was the last time you replaced the transmission fluids, had the transmission flushed, & cleaned or replace your tranny fluid filter? Is the fluid level correct? Does the transmission fluid smell burnt?

If you do change the fluid, make sure you use the right fluid. Mitsu transmissions require specific adatives that are not common in all transmission fluids.

You'll be happy to learn that for the most part, Mitsu truck & 4x4 automatic transmissions are pretty solid unless you abuse them by putting in the wrong fluid or just not maintaining them regularly. With my 1990, I perform an annual fluid flush to ensure nothing but clean fluid is in my tranny.

HTH.

 

the transmission fluid has never been changed. I know I am a bad person. Would that cause it to slip out of gear though?

 

Not sure. What's your current mileage?

 

Got the truck fixed today. It turned out it only needed the fluid and filter changed. Now it's running like normal and total for parts and repairs were less than $100. Hopefully this helps someone else with similar problems.

Kevin

 

I guess changing the fluid fixed the problem. As for the filter change... I'm not sure about the Sports but on earlier Montero's you simply needed to clean the transmission filter (wire mesh filter element) and put it back instead of fully replacing it.

Also, to take care of your tranny moving forward, budget in $80 or so towards an annual tranny fluid flush (not a drain and replace). This gets out all the fluid including any left in the torque converter. A typical drain and refill doesn't.