6SP Woes again...

[Dustin]

So I've yet again run into issues with my Sonic. It's a 2013 with 35k on it now. The first transmission was replaced at 17k miles due to second gear grinding.

At 28k miles they replaced the flywheel due to bolts backing out.

Here I am now with 5th gear grinding sometimes. The car's almost been stuck in second twice in two days, and first/second gear feel REALLY bad. It's like I'm shifting against a compressed sponge to get it in gear.

I'm checking the shifter cables since I don't have the time to take it back to the dealer now with a crazy work schedule. Anybody have any other quick things to check while I'm in there?

 

[Natesriv]

pull up the shifter boot, look at the cables (linkage actually) heading towards the engine. There will be two, they sit in a cradle a little ways up (like under the lower storage nook in the center console.) Ensure they're sitting securely in their holders...,they sort of "snap" in.

My right side cable popped out, I only had 1st gear after that...I mean 1st as in no way to shift out of it. or change gears... made it home, found the cause and it fixed it perfectly...

Worth a look

 

[Dustin]

Appreciate the cables mention. I checked them yesterday and they're fine. It seems to be more related to the reverse lockout. It's rubbing on the shifter support frame into first and second and has actually rubbed a groove into it.

Cables under the hood are fine. I even gave them a couple whacks with a rubber mallet to ensure they were seated on the posts.

I'll be dropping it off at Chevy on Monday for them to look at since it's still covered by the power train warranty. Hopefully the dealer doesn't come back being a bunch of crooks, but that's what GM Customer Care is for.

 

[Natesriv]

Cool... don't drive it off the lot until you can get good gears... take the Shop Manager with you can... Let him drive it..

Remember to be cool and calm... State your case and let them know if it's not acceptable... Getting angry and yelling just makes the other side care even less.

Good luck Amigo!

 

[Dustin]

It's still at the dealer. They're trying to figure out if it'll be covered under the power train warranty. I don't have a loaner vehicle yet.

Car got stuck in second for about 30 minutes. Had to pull off and fight to get it unstuck, and then got locked out of first for several tries. Eventually had to grind it in to get the car moving. After that I had no second until later in the day.

Really not sure what's going on. Maybe the shift forks are done, or maybe it's just cables binding. Looking like I'll have a replacement transmission every 17k miles of normal mixed driving.

I'm really having to consider if I want to lemon law this car. It's at 24 days out of service due to these issues, and my 4th attempt at repair.

 

[Dustin]

Dealer says they found a bushing in the cable assembly that's loose. They've said it will not be covered under the powertrain warranty as only lubricated parts are covered.

Repair estimate is 450 for parts and labor. I'm currently trying to deal with GM Customer Care as the car has had issues with grinding gears since 7k miles warranting a transmission replacement, as well as the dual mass flywheel being replaced after the transmission due to failure of one of the internal components. The car is currently under 35k miles after being purchased new in January 2013.

Lemon law doesn't apply due to length of time. If I'd had pushed harder the first year when it did this, I'd have had GM buy the car back.

On the upside, I did buy a new 2016 Civic which I have to say is a totally different class of vehicle. OTD price for a Civic EX w/ Sensing was less than the Sonic in 2013.

 

[mja]

If I'd had pushed harder the first year when it did this, I'd have had GM buy the car back.

This is why my 1st trans blew. Then I started driving it like the econobox it is.

Did you have to pay for the flywheel?

 

[Dustin]

This is why my 1st trans blew. Then I started driving it like the econobox it is.

Did you have to pay for the flywheel?

I've always driven it like an econobox. I have Snapshot logging to prove it. I should have pursued this problem with Chevrolet in a harder manner, not that I was driving the car hard.

Flywheel was covered under warranty. It would clunk when starting, and any time there'd be a shift in inertia it'd clunk. Selecting gears, dropping to N, stopping. It was bad.

 

[mja]

I've always driven it like an econobox. I have Snapshot logging to prove it. I should have pursued this problem with Chevrolet in a harder manner, not that I was driving the car hard.

Flywheel was covered under warranty. It would clunk when starting, and any time there'd be a shift in inertia it'd clunk. Selecting gears, dropping to N, stopping. It was bad.

Is it too late to pursue this still, if you kept a record of your driving? The dual mass flywheel isnt cheap, and should be replaced with clutch at the same time. Being around 1600-1800$ job at the stealership I'd say you got a square deal, some dealers would hang you out to dry. That's still frustrating though.

 

[Dustin]

Is it too late to pursue this still, if you kept a record of your driving? The dual mass flywheel isnt cheap, and should be replaced with clutch at the same time. Being around 1600-1800$ job at the stealership I'd say you got a square deal, some dealers would hang you out to dry. That's still frustrating though.

Kinda hard to not fix when the car was covered under a bumper to bumper warranty. It finally ran out and now Chevy refuses to acknowledge the fact that this car has had multiple issues with documented repair attempts.

As of now I'm being told that there's a bushing on the shifter cable that's damaged, caused by rough shifting... GM says it's not a transmission so not warranty. Dealer is quoting $450 for parts and labor to fix, but has not told me which bushing is to blame.

 

[mja]

Kinda hard to not fix when the car was covered under a bumper to bumper warranty. It finally ran out and now Chevy refuses to acknowledge the fact that this car has had multiple issues with documented repair attempts.

As of now I'm being told that there's a bushing on the shifter cable that's damaged, caused by rough shifting... GM says it's not a transmission so not warranty. Dealer is quoting $450 for parts and labor to fix, but has not told me which bushing is to blame.

The clutch is a wear item that is not covered under bumper to bumper warranty, the dual mass flywheel could also be considered a wear item, unlike older flywheels which are fixed rotating chunks of metal. It's like complaining the brake pads/rotors aren't covered, dealer replacing for free, and then being salty.

The shifter bushings would also be wear items. Luckily you found the forums, there are a few cheap aftermarket shifter bushings to purchase which last longer and offer better feel than stock, you'll find how to reset/adjust shifter cables as well. Good luck.

 

[Dustin]

The flywheel was making noise, as in it had come apart under normal driving with 26k miles on it at the time. I don't understand what you're getting at. Bumper to bumper warranty, and a defective part. The flywheel coming apart isn't caused by wear, it was caused by a manufacturing defect.

The shifting issue is currently listed as needing shift cables replaced at 34600 miles. The cables aren't stretched, but they said there's a bushing attached to the cable that needs to be replaced. The dealer is claiming abuse with no proof. I call bull**** with proof. GM closes case and refuses to escalate.

Considering the fact that I've had an open case with GM customer care for the dealer damaging the window trim during warranty work, and the trans being pulled twice, I suggested damage during repairs since they claim abuse with no proof.

At this point, I'm done with the car. It's been problematic from the start and I'm not sinking money into a car worth next to nothing with less than 35k on the ODO.