transmission
 

my wife just happened to read consumer reports recent car ratings and saw that the mpv received a poor mark for transmission. then the next day, no kidding, we started having problems on our 2003 model. between 20 and 30 mph, the gear feels as though it slips and jolts a little before kicking in. it happens maybe 50% of the time.

we took it tothe mazda dealership that usually services it, and they reset something in the computer system, saying that would fix the problem. when my wife pulled out of the parking lot, it happened again. she took it right back and they re-set something in the battery (?), saying it could take up to two weeks for the computer to "learn" the changes they made in the settings. if the problem still happened, they said we'd need a new transmission, which would cost $3,000.

any suggestions as to what the problem might be? any cheaper alternative solutions?

RE: transmission
 

Is the jolt occuring during a shift or just at random times when no shift is occuring. Would assume that the dealer updated the Trans control module programming to an N level calibration. This reprogramming is designed to lessen the shift shock felt during a 1-2 or 2-3 upshift and 3-2 downshift when engine is not yet fully warmed up.
Are you sure that this is a shifting problem and not an engine missfire?

RE: transmission
 

the jolt occurs during a 2-3 upshift (right around 25 mph). once it gets past that, it's been fine.we've experienced a lot of stop and go traffic lately, and it was always at the 2-3 level. dealer didn't sayanything about an engine misfire.

RE: transmission
 

A little over a month ago, I had a 2002 MPV come in with owner concerned about a slight 2-3 shift flare and resulting harsher shift intermittently. Was able to confirm this shift flareand suspected a possible problem with the high clutch system as the high clutch engages when going into 3rd gear and then remains on for gears 4 and 5. No fault codes were stored and no warning lights on. Was not able to look much into it as owner was in a hurry for an appointment but when she came back in the following week, the HOLD light was flashing and had very very severe shift shock into all gears and even when shifting from neutral to drive. Transmission had obviously gone into failsafe mode and line pressure was very high. Still no fault codes stored. Reprogrammed the TCM with latest calibration as this was also supposed to fix some communication problems and sure enough the code came back with a P0798, high clutch solenoid circuit malfunction. Resistance of the tranmssion solenoids is easily checked right at the TCM connector and found the high clutch solenoid to be shorted out with only half the resistance that specs called for. Replaced the solenoid ( think it was around $130 for the part ) and transmission now shifts perfect and has since. Not sure if this is the case for you but would sure be worth looking into.