Hi Fellas, just recently purchased a 2005, 380LX. Its a great car. Bought it secondhand with 200Ks. Quite high but it was within our budget and it drove smooth, no rattles with the majority of Ks being driven in the country.

We took it to our local mechanic who we used for our last car. He said it was a good car but he gave us a list of things that we should attend to. The number one thing we wanted to get done was get the transmission fluid flushed and changed as the fluid was burnt and I heard stories about the transmissions running hot. I didn't actually read this until after we already we purchased the car.

Anyway instead of taking it to our regular mechanic I took it to ultra tune as their price for transmission flush was cheaper than the first mechanic. We also told them to get rid of the brake squeal. Car came back and the squeal was gone but unfortunately the car noticeably drives differently.

It starts off as normal running into first and second gear and then about 50km or so there's a large thud as it changes into the next gear and the drive light starts flashing in the dash. After this point, things aren't too good and it is impossible to change up or down in the gears even when slowing down to a stop. It seems to stop in the same gear.

So we take it back to ultra tune, they look over it. Plug in scan tool. Tell us they can't read any codes as its not communicating with their equipment so they told me they will send it over to an auto specialist.

They said they looked at oils and its all good, but they reckon the guy at the auto place says that a "reverse clutch" is gone and that it was just a coincidence that this got broke sametime as the fluid change. They said it will cost $2000.00 to replace. He said that while the transmission fluid was burnt it helped with the gear changes and now that the fluid is thinner and better that the transmission is now acting up because of it.

Just wondering if there diagnosis is plausible? Or it possible that the transmission can go funny after a transmission flush? If the fluid was burnt? Does that indicate that the transmission was already gone as Ultratune are alluding to? Or do you think its something electrical? Faulty sensor?

Im thinking is it worth it to take it to an auto specialist or a mitsubishi service centre to get them to look at it. Seeing that the mob at ultra tune couldnt get any reading from their scan tool?

Im extremely disappointed seeing that gear changes before were seamless and there werent obvious problems when being driven.

Did they use the correct ATF?

Did they use the correct ATF?

This would be my first question, but I wouldn't word it like that.

I'd say "Can you show me the ATF you use?" If they refuse, ask what brand/specification it is. Don't allow them to squirm out of answering or going to "check", because they will just look it up and tell you what you want to hear.


He said that while the transmission fluid was burnt it helped with the gear changes and now that the fluid is thinner and better that the transmission is now acting up because of it.

You should ask Mal this question.... but I think that's a complete load of horse &*$(.


Anyway instead of taking it to our regular mechanic I took it to ultra tune as their price for transmission flush was cheaper than the first mechanic.

Big mistake :(

$2000 screw that, would just grab an entire new box off a wreck and get it installed, would work out same price or less.

I've never felt better about always taking my car to a Mitsubishi dealer (I'm still under warranty though) - which leads to my next idea ... 10 year drive train warranty? I wonder if you could track down the original dealer/owner and see if it may apply.

As i understand it the 10 yr drivetrain warranty is not transferrable...warranty reverts to 5 years from new for drivetrain once sold...unless u bought some aftermarket warranty...

Yes and is 10years/160000 km. Which ever occurs first.

Thanks for the responses so far. I spoke to ultra tune and asked them what fluid they used. There response was we put in the recommended fluid. They weren't that helpful.

The warranty is ours due to being second hand , the age of the vehicle and having done over the specified ks.

I don't even think ultra tune took it to a an auto transmission place.

I'm thinking on taking it to another mechanic for a second opinion.

Have you spoken to Mal yet?

You should call their bluff. If Ultra Tune are adament they used the right fluid and the gear box has a fault, they should stand behind that and offer a refund if a flush with genuine fluid fixes the problem.

You really need to speak to Mal or your regular mechanic. I wouldnt be driving it until you get solid, reliable advice. If they put in cheap, generic s*** fluid, it could be causing more damage every time you drive.

Not defending Ultra Tune by any stretch but i think you will find they have a National supply deal with Castrol for all there oil and lubricant needs.

Most likely it's the wrong ATF fluid used.

double post.

Ok. So I thought I'd get a second opinion so took the car to an auto transmission specialist. He hooked up scan tool and it came up with an error incorrect gear ratio. He checked fluids put in an extra 2 liters of fluid. That was a little bit dodgy. He said the fluid looked good though and it was clean. He put hoisted it up looked under it says it's likely that they did the flush incorrectly causing one of the bands in the box to be put back in the wrong way... Causing the box to fail when it went it to third gear and go into limp mode. Called up ultra tune told them what happened got the mechanic from this place to talk to him. Ultra tune then called me back and said they will get it towed. So just waiting to hear from them to see what ultra tune will do next.

Good result, and fantastic proof of why it is worth using genuine service or well known, trusted family mechanic.

It just didnt make sense that a silky smooth 160k transmission suddenly failed when they have proven to be a very reliable box in the 380.

Make sure Ultra Tune reimburse you for the money you spent at the tranmission specialist, and tell them to stick with replacing indicator globes!

my brother had a fault with his, he was playing with a pod filter around the auto trans area and started the car with a plug off.

car wouldn't run properly and wouldn't go past 3rd gear.

mitsubishi dealer cleared the code with their MUT3 and the car was fine...disconecting battery and OBD reader was useless by the way.

they did the flush incorrectly causing one of the bands in the box to be put back in the wrong way... Causing the box to fail when it went it to third .


"causing one of the bands to be put back the wrong way"

do you mean they partially disassembled tranny to do flush??

"causing one of the bands to be put back the wrong way"

do you mean they partially disassembled tranny to do flush??

It sounds as though they did. Which sounds pretty scary.

Anyway guys, I got the car back today and fortunately, Its back to normal. I hope.

Unfortunately no apologies from them or even admission that they did anything incorrectly. These were guys who were telling me earlier in the week that the clutch had failed and that the box had to be replaced and that it would end up costing me $2000.00

"causing one of the bands to be put back the wrong way"

do you mean they partially disassembled tranny to do flush??

Unless the car was with them for 6+ hours, that ain't happening.

I am a mechanic, I have worked on Autos, I'm by no stretch a specialist, but as far as I am aware, the bands have one end on the actuator and one end on a flange that retains it... You can't fit it "backwards", if there's an auto specialist that wants to tell me I'm wrong, shoot, but -damn- if you didn't get jargon'd.

That transmission needs Transmax-M or M-ST, if your trams fluid is red, they've used Dextron 3, something they've been caught out doing time and time again as it is cheap as all hell (and 40% of cars use it, so it's the best "shot in the dark"). Id be pulling your fill plug, taking a sample in a jar and marching my ass straight to fair trading and MVRIC.

Ultratune, have fixed the box. Im not 100% sure what they did. But whatever they did the first time was incorrect, and they didn't admit it until after The Auto Trans guy looked at it. Now the Tranny guy didn't pull the box apart and he was speculating but he was at least 50% more correct than ultra tune because he did isolate a problem some bolt which was incorrectly refitted. This info was passed to Ultra tune and they were able to fix it. I dont know if it was an issue with the band. I dont know what it was but I know I will never take it to Ultratune. BEcause the attitude was wrong from the get go. Alot of people get things wrong, everyone makes mistakes, but there should be some responsibility taken for when things go wrong.

Btw what color is Transmax-M or M-St? The fluid the current has isn't red but a clear color.

So it would have cost you 2000 for nothing..... absolute knobs.

Trans-M is brown-grey, M-ST is a clear with yellow tinge

thank god its sorted.

"causing one of the bands to be put back the wrong way"

do you mean they partially disassembled tranny to do flush??

I think this video may well explain it

The band anchor looks like a filler plug!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2edTQWFsh1M&feature=related

I think this video may well explain it

The band anchor looks like a filler plug!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2edTQWFsh1M&feature=related

Yes, this video explains it.

I found a poster on a volvo forum with a very similar experience to mine.

http://www.volvoxc.com/forums/showthread.php?15297-2002-XC70-Transmission-Nightmare-EVERYONE-PLEASE-READ!!

Hi Neyusa, congratulations on your new car. But it sounds like you have been involved in a total circus with the repairs. I sympathise with your frustration. I have been there, done that sort of thing many, many times. Finally I got sick of it.

That fellow over at the Volvo Forum said that he had bad luck before. I reckon he will again, and so will you if you don't make a few changes. How many cars do you have any way, does your wife have one? Maybe your sweet and saintly mother-in-law drives a car as well? You really need to take action.

I have a 380 with 186,000k. It has been to the motor mechanic three times. Once was the free 1500k inspection, once was to get a new timing belt a few years ago and the last time was a pink slip for rego. Two of these times out of the three they didn't actually do anything. They worked on the car only one of the three times. The car did have a little bit of bad luck while they were workin on it, as it happens, nothing serious.

The three times doesn't include wheel alignments done at the tyre joint or the tow bar that was fitted when I bought the car new.
I think three times is a bit too often, but you have been three times in one week. Suffering cat converters!

The 380 is a pretty good car and doesn't need to go to the mechanic very often. Putting oil and water into a 380 is not much more difficult than putting in petrol. Changing the transmission fluid is one of the easiest things to do. All you need is a spanner, a funnel and a plastic bowl. The plastic bowl is a little tricky,at least it is for me- I am not very mechanical. The rest of the job is fairly easy. You don't need car stands.

If it is that easy, why doesnt everyone do it? Mate, I have no idea.

I did my own oil change and ATF change, easy as chips :) and no drama at all, save some $ too.

So it would have cost you 2000 for nothing..... absolute knobs.

Complain to Ultra Tune head office with all the details. A friend had an issue like that with a clutch (they said he needed a whole new clutch) and it was just adjusted incorrectly inside the cabin. What they had done is adjust it without authorisation and stuffed it up. The Ultra Tune in question got reemed for it, he got his money back and a free service at another Ultra Tune, and the clutch is still fine 4 years on.

Ultratune!!! Sharks

YOu know that half the time, the experienced mechanic pulls the ting apart to repair it, then get's the dim boy apprentice to put it back together. Whats the bet that a connector hasnt been put back or a spring is on the wrong way - ecetera. Stuff these days is complicated. THey put stuff on top of stuff and then they put wires and other stuff. It's complicated. Really getting some dumb kid into this crap is just asking for trouble.

Unless the car was with them for 6+ hours, that ain't happening.

I am a mechanic, I have worked on Autos, I'm by no stretch a specialist, but as far as I am aware, the bands have one end on the actuator and one end on a flange that retains it... You can't fit it "backwards", if there's an auto specialist that wants to tell me I'm wrong, shoot, but -damn- if you didn't get jargon'd.

That transmission needs Transmax-M or M-ST, if your trams fluid is red, they've used Dextron 3, something they've been caught out doing time and time again as it is cheap as all hell (and 40% of cars use it, so it's the best "shot in the dark"). Id be pulling your fill plug, taking a sample in a jar and marching my ass straight to fair trading and MVRIC.

SpIII actually and this just in it is red too!!!

As for the trans specialist, what a wanker, band on backwards or brains in his ass

Fluid change involves more than a funnel and bucket and I am more than glad I don't own a 380 that has never been serviced as there is far more to a service than dumping engine oil