I've got a 2007 Mazda 3 2.3L with the 5-SPD AT. The car is a high mileage car ~217,000 miles. Had a transmission drain and re-fill @ 87000, 150000, and at around 215000 miles, using Redline D4 ATF, which I understand meets the Mazda special transmission fluid specs. At around 150,000 miles I put in a new filter.

At around 212000 miles it began shifting harder between 1-2, and 2-3. When I get in stop-and-go traffic, I believe the transmission begins to overheat, although I'm not certain. I can smell transmission the odor of transmission fluid inside the cabin of the car when that happens, and if it goes on long enough, it will throw a P0772, Shift Solenoid E Stuck On.

The car seems otherwise solid, the air conditioning system was rebuilt recently, engine runs strong and I'm pretty good about using good oil and replacing it on schedule with the filter. I'm about to invest in a another, used, transmission to the tune of $800-$1000. I'm aware that I can put used valve body in for around $300.

I'm curious if anyone has any opinions on whether or not it's worth it to take the gamble on $300 vs ~$900 hoping it could resolve the issue. Generally are issued like that solved with a new valve body, or is over heading, etc, usually the result of excessive slippage by loss of friction material?

Thoughts?

 

Have you priced up a new Solenoid E?

 

Yeah...that's kinda the obvious answer. My reasoning with not choosing to replace this first was that it seemed something was happening before that failure. If I never get caught in stop-and-go traffic, the shift 'e' solenoid error never occurs. I can literally drive thousands of miles and have it never happen. To me that seemed like reason to believe the solenoid was probably fine. I will get the rough shifting some, and the smell of transmission fluid in the car, but no codes thrown.

It seemed that heat was the primary issue, and the heat becoming worse due to the constant stopping and starting was causing problems for the solenoid. I spoke with a few transmission guys, and the consensus was always to simpley rebuild ... and pay them $3000 to do it for me.

I suppose the smart thing would be to go ahead and spend the $40 and replace the solenoid if I'm going to be in for $800 anyway.

 

Its your choice,

but is it worth throwing $3000 on a 10yr old car with 215,000 miles on the body?

Tough call.

 

Nope. I wouldn't consider the $3000 rebuild option.
Spending $900 on a used, and installing myself is about all I'd be okay with on this car.

 

Fair call. As long as you get a warranty on the trans & confirmation of acceptable miles $900 is reasonable.
Good luck.

 

Thank you

 

Just bought a 05 Mazda 3 hatch 2.3 4sp AT 115k for $1000 and the trans just slams into gears got it from my uncle told me straight up it would need a new trans. Question could the 5sp AT from the newer 3's fit in my 05 and does anyone know a good website that sells used trans? I'll spend a few hundred on a trans only paid $1000 for it with 115k clean as hell inside and out

 

5speed will not work on a older vehicle built with a 4 speed.