Different than years gone past, the automatic transmission has become more highly technological than ever before. Instead of, two, three or four speed transmissions, late model vehicles have as many as nine speeds and all modern transmission are completely computer controlled. Sometimes the computer is in the transmission. At Tri-City Transmission we embrace the challenge and pride ourselves on our ability to accurately diagnose your transmission. We have found that an accurate diagnosis is the best way to save money in the long run. Don’t spend money needlessly -- get it diagnosed! With this in mind, we have created an unprecedented methodical diagnostic process. Here are just a few of the steps we take.

Our Courtesy Check

Level One Diagnostic

• Check transmission fluid lever & analyze condition
• Short road test to check shift quality, shift pattern, torque converter operation, verify overall transmission performance observing transmission data stream on scan tool for irregularities
• Initial support the vehicle in the air for external transmission leak checks
• Scan & record all diagnostic trouble codes (DTC’s)
• Battery and charging system test
• Minor search of problem data bank if needed

The Tri-City Transmission Diagnostic Process always starts here. 80% of all concerns are answered with a Level One diagnostic procedure. After completing a level one diagnostic procedure we will either know the answer to the problem or know if any further in-depth diagnostic is needed. Our diagnostic procedure always starts as Level One, no major disassembly or any commitment is placed with the customer other than their time without the vehicle. Tri-City Transmission will always contact the customer if any additional levels of diagnostic are necessary before spending any of the customer’s money.

Extended Diagnostic Process

With our 37 years experience, the better majority of problems we have seen before and are easily identifiable with a “Courtesy Check”. Not always are any two customer concerns of an exact nature, either in symptom or the surrounding circumstance and additional testing is required. Because we don’t want to spend your money needlessly on a repair that’s not needed, sometimes we recommend our extended diagnostic process. This is so that we can make an objective concrete diagnosis.

Level Two Diagnostic

• All of the above + any one of the following as needed
• Extensive road testing with multiple technician for monitoring scanner data stream
• Clear & recreate diagnostic trouble codes (DTC’s)
• Ohms test internal transmission electrical components that are accessible from outside the transmission
• Measure clutch volume indexes when applicable
• Wireless chassis ears w/ road testing

Level Three Diagnostic

• Some of all of the above + some of these additional tests
• Connect shift analyzer and/or pressure gauges
• Electrically test continuity of circuitry between control computer & the transmission
• Perform Schaefer Shifter road test
• Road test monitoring gauges and equipment
• In-depth research into problem data bank

Level Four Diagnostic

• Some of all of the above + some of these additional tests
• Back probe and/or pin-out multiple electrical circuits
• Check additional circuit integrity for suspect circuits, components, sensors
• Test & compare ECM/PCM/TCM logic against know sequence of operations
• More road test as needed
• More extensive in-depth research into known problem data bank
• Contact with outside technical support as needed

Ahwatukee

Different than years gone past, the automatic transmission has become more highly technological than ever before. Instead of, two, three or four speed transmissions, late model vehicles have as many as nine speeds and all modern transmission are completely computer controlled. Sometimes the computer is in the transmission. At Tri-City Transmission we embrace the challenge and pride ourselves on our ability to accurately diagnose your transmission. We have found that an accurate diagnosis is the best way to save money in the long run. Don’t spend money needlessly -- get it diagnosed! With this in mind, we have created an unprecedented methodical diagnostic process. Here are just a few of the steps we take.

Our Courtesy Check

Level One Diagnostic

• Check transmission fluid lever & analyze condition
• Short road test to check shift quality, shift pattern, torque converter operation, verify overall transmission performance observing transmission data stream on scan tool for irregularities
• Initial support the vehicle in the air for external transmission leak checks
• Scan & record all diagnostic trouble codes (DTC’s)
• Battery and charging system test
• Minor search of problem data bank if needed

The Tri-City Transmission Diagnostic Process always starts here. 80% of all concerns are answered with a Level One diagnostic procedure. After completing a level one diagnostic procedure we will either know the answer to the problem or know if any further in-depth diagnostic is needed. Our diagnostic procedure always starts as Level One, no major disassembly or any commitment is placed with the customer other than their time without the vehicle. Tri-City Transmission will always contact the customer if any additional levels of diagnostic are necessary before spending any of the customer’s money.

Extended Diagnostic Process

With our 37 years experience, the better majority of problems we have seen before and are easily identifiable with a “Courtesy Check”. Not always are any two customer concerns of an exact nature, either in symptom or the surrounding circumstance and additional testing is required. Because we don’t want to spend your money needlessly on a repair that’s not needed, sometimes we recommend our extended diagnostic process. This is so that we can make an objective concrete diagnosis.

Level Two Diagnostic

• All of the above + any one of the following as needed
• Extensive road testing with multiple technician for monitoring scanner data stream
• Clear & recreate diagnostic trouble codes (DTC’s)
• Ohms test internal transmission electrical components that are accessible from outside the transmission
• Measure clutch volume indexes when applicable
• Wireless chassis ears w/ road testing

Level Three Diagnostic

• Some of all of the above + some of these additional tests
• Connect shift analyzer and/or pressure gauges
• Electrically test continuity of circuitry between control computer & the transmission
• Perform Schaefer Shifter road test
• Road test monitoring gauges and equipment
• In-depth research into problem data bank

Level Four Diagnostic

• Some of all of the above + some of these additional tests
• Back probe and/or pin-out multiple electrical circuits
• Check additional circuit integrity for suspect circuits, components, sensors
• Test & compare ECM/PCM/TCM logic against know sequence of operations
• More road test as needed
• More extensive in-depth research into known problem data bank
• Contact with outside technical support as needed

Scottsdale

Different than years gone past, the automatic transmission has become more highly technological than ever before. Instead of, two, three or four speed transmissions, late model vehicles have as many as nine speeds and all modern transmission are completely computer controlled. Sometimes the computer is in the transmission. At Tri-City Transmission we embrace the challenge and pride ourselves on our ability to accurately diagnose your transmission. We have found that an accurate diagnosis is the best way to save money in the long run. Don’t spend money needlessly -- get it diagnosed! With this in mind, we have created an unprecedented methodical diagnostic process. Here are just a few of the steps we take.

Our Courtesy Check

Level One Diagnostic

• Check transmission fluid lever & analyze condition
• Short road test to check shift quality, shift pattern, torque converter operation, verify overall transmission performance observing transmission data stream on scan tool for irregularities
• Initial support the vehicle in the air for external transmission leak checks
• Scan & record all diagnostic trouble codes (DTC’s)
• Battery and charging system test
• Minor search of problem data bank if needed

The Tri-City Transmission Diagnostic Process always starts here. 80% of all concerns are answered with a Level One diagnostic procedure. After completing a level one diagnostic procedure we will either know the answer to the problem or know if any further in-depth diagnostic is needed. Our diagnostic procedure always starts as Level One, no major disassembly or any commitment is placed with the customer other than their time without the vehicle. Tri-City Transmission will always contact the customer if any additional levels of diagnostic are necessary before spending any of the customer’s money.

Extended Diagnostic Process

With our 37 years experience, the better majority of problems we have seen before and are easily identifiable with a “Courtesy Check”. Not always are any two customer concerns of an exact nature, either in symptom or the surrounding circumstance and additional testing is required. Because we don’t want to spend your money needlessly on a repair that’s not needed, sometimes we recommend our extended diagnostic process. This is so that we can make an objective concrete diagnosis.

Level Two Diagnostic

• All of the above + any one of the following as needed
• Extensive road testing with multiple technician for monitoring scanner data stream
• Clear & recreate diagnostic trouble codes (DTC’s)
• Ohms test internal transmission electrical components that are accessible from outside the transmission
• Measure clutch volume indexes when applicable
• Wireless chassis ears w/ road testing

Level Three Diagnostic

• Some of all of the above + some of these additional tests
• Connect shift analyzer and/or pressure gauges
• Electrically test continuity of circuitry between control computer & the transmission
• Perform Schaefer Shifter road test
• Road test monitoring gauges and equipment
• In-depth research into problem data bank

Level Four Diagnostic

• Some of all of the above + some of these additional tests
• Back probe and/or pin-out multiple electrical circuits
• Check additional circuit integrity for suspect circuits, components, sensors
• Test & compare ECM/PCM/TCM logic against know sequence of operations
• More road test as needed
• More extensive in-depth research into known problem data bank
• Contact with outside technical support as needed

Tempe

Tri-City Transmission is recognized by ATRA - Automatic Transmission Rebuilder Association - as being a leader of the repair, diagnosis, and service of automatic transmissions for the Chandler, Arizona region. The technicians at our transmission shop are all highly trained, well seasoned and certified, ensuring you get the service you expect and deserve.

Transmission problems fall into two very similar categories:

• Your car won't drive smoothly or developing some idiosyncrasies
• Your car won’t move at all

These two problems are usually caused by the same faults in your transmission. The latter happens because the first was ignored, hoping the problem would work itself out. They generally don’t work themselves out, so you don’t want to ignore them, the cost for repair only goes up when you do ignore it. Most transmission problems can't be fixed by the average do-it-yourselfer. Also, a good amount professional mechanics will tell you they simply don’t diagnose or work on automatic transmissions, other than some minor maintenance.

The automatic transmission is very much a specialty. You could consider the difference in a medical parallel, general practitioner as to a neurologist. There is a tremendous amount of special schooling, specialized instruction manuals, specialized equipment and flat out experience required to repair, rebuild or even properly maintain the automatic transmission. There are some things your general mechanic just can't fix. Transmissions are at the top of that list.

The technicians at Tri-City Transmission are all transmission specialists. While some in our industry have grayed the specialty line and claim to fix everything. We decided a long time ago between doing everything and being great at nothing or strictly sticking with what we were born and bred to do. That’s fix transmissions and we are passionate about it.

With all the right tools and the latest diagnostic equipment to make sure your transmission is properly diagnosed, repaired and serviced correctly the first time at a fair and honest rate.

Warning Signs to Look For

• Is your fluid level correct? It's important to check your transmission fluid at least twice a year. Not only can a low fluid level cause your car to shift poorly, it can eventually lead to transmission damage, and a costly repair. If your car seems to be losing fluid on a regular basis, you have a leak!
• Is your transmission leaking? Unless it's been changed to a non-dyed fluid, your car will have red transmission fluid. Have you seen red puddles in the driveway?
• Does the “Check Engine Light” come on intermittently? Although it may say engine, check engine lights often come on for transmission problems.
• Does the “OD or Overdrive Light Flash”? This is like the check engine light for the engine, but instead it’s for the transmission.
• Does the vehicle act strange on cold starts in the morning or after the car has been sitting?

Over half of the transmission that we overhaul or replace in Chandler, AZ could have been avoided if these warning signs weren’t missed or ignored. Don’t want to worry about checking fluid or looking for leaks? Ask about our “Transmission Wellness Check”.

Chandler