My girlfriends 2006 Chevy hhr automatic started overreving, and wouldn't go pass 40 mph. The rim would just go from 2k to 4k and when get to the next gear. She put it in I and drove back home on it. There is no check engine light, we even took it to check for codes anyway, nothing happened.

It came out of nowhere, no signs of slipping from before. It has 191k miles on it, when she bought it it had 150k. Could this be a transmission issue or something else? I checked fuses, nothing was blown, but the fuse prongs were pretty worn. I took ground off battery thinking it could be ecm/tcm nothing occured.

The transmission fluid has never been flushed and no new filter or gaskets have been put on since she bought it years ago. Would changing this clear the issue?

Any simple issues I could check before we're able to take it to a mechanic thursday?

 

Well, unless you took it to a dealer or a transmission shop, the chances of getting any codes from the TCM(Transmission Control Module) are mighty slim. The code scanners at auto parts stores cannot pull codes from the TCM, that requires a Tech II Scan Tool and a tech trained in its use.

The 4T-45E transmissions in the HHR's are pretty darn bullet proof, but when you're talking 191k with no service ever performed on it, that "Sliiiiiiiiiiiiiip" is a sign that the transmission is on its way out.

If the rest of the vehicle is in good shape with no other issues, it's time to swallow hard and prepare for either a transmission rebuild, or a reman transmission.

For a reman transmission with a decent warranty, you're looking at $1,500 to $1,700 plus 8.8 hours of labor per Chevrolet.

First, because you've really got nothing to lose, take it to a local transmission shop that has a good reputation, most will do a diagnostic check for free.

 

Will do, gonna call up a few places, and see. Hopefully it's nothing more then a solenoid went out. Getting a reman fact red transmission might be out of my expenses if it comes to that. She's had nothing but issues with HHR ever since she purchased it.

Will report back their findings.

 

Lots of used 4T-45e in junkyards. They are in almost every 4 cylinder front drive GM car made in this century. I would guess less than $400+ labor, usually come with a guarantee.

Many trans shops are like appliance repair places; "it is broke get a new one" even if the new part is easy to replace and cheap. Get a couple of opinions.

I have 3 "dead" refrigerators (toal cost $35/1 hour) that I've used for 15 years now and a clothes dryer ($3 part/30 minutes) and home HVAC (2 $5 parts/15 minutes) and a washing machine ($10/45 minutes).

 

Took it in, will give details soon after repair.