Nine problems related to automatic transmission torque converter have been reported for the 1998 Mazda 626. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
I have a 1998 Mazda 626 4cyl. Automatic transmission. I have had numerous problems with this transmission, I have had the torque converter replaced, along with fluid flushes and even some electrical connections replaced and now the car sits in my driveway with a perfect motor and when its in reverse it is in drive, there is no reverse anymore. I have spent thousands of dollars trying to get this fixed and I am on a fixed income and need help repairing it.
I was driving the car at 75 mph on the freeway, when all of a sudden, the transmission basically went into neutral. Traffic was light, and I was able to cost to the right shoulder of the freeway. I was unable to get the car to work in any gear (r, d, 1, 2). The car was towed to a local transmission shop for repairs. The shop discovered that the torque converter had a catastrophic failure and littered metal parts through the entire transmission. The entire transmission had to be required at the cost of $2,212.
While driving, my '98 626lx the transmission will disengage from the engine. Aamco transmission determined the problem to be that due to excessive heat, the torque converter failed and fragments penetrated the transmission while being suspended by the transmission fluid. No less than $2000 to repair. Here's where I really got upset. Mazda published a technical service bulletin-005/02 in 2002 which outlines preventive measures to take to avoid this heat related failure. When contacted about a claims procedure, they told me that there was no such bulletin and that there was no recall for my vehicle. I understand that failures do occur on vehicles. However, when the manufacturer is aware of the issue and fails to even make a cursory effort to inform the vehicle owner/purchaser, it seems to me that the company is negligent and should in part bare the burden of the cost of repair.
(1) transmission fluid leak. . . O/d light flashing off and on, car smoking and overheating; (2) transmission overhaul. . . $2000 plus $115 tow bill; (3) still not corrected. . . But so far new sprage front planetary, torque converter, tec valves, retainer for sprage, thrust beaning.
While driving on the highway, I stopped for fuel. I got in the car to leave and it would not move. Had the car towed to aamco . Transmission and torque converter were repaired. Two weeks later, I had to return to aamco and the torque converter was again replaced. This is a well maintained car and not abused. There was no warning that something was wrong. Aamco said the transmission had overheated causing the failure. There was no apparent slippage prior to the event.
Transmission problems for the second time within the past 5 years. It was replaced on 09/01 at 47,544 miles, my check engine light came on and when I took my car to the shop they said that, the transmission was going out; the invoice states that the fluid was burnt and the torque converter was slipping. The second incident occurred on 9/23/03, coming from out of town, the overdrive light started flashing and stayed on for about 45 minutes so I stopped at a gas station and turned the car off, when I restarted the car I noticed smoke coming from under the hood. I raised the hood of my car and noticed some fluid coming out on the driver's side near the windshield and when a gentlemen came over to help, he told me that it was the transmission fluid overflowing. When I took my car to a repair shop I was told that pressure was building up in the transmission, the torque converter was replaced and I had to pay $2178. 00.
Transmission breakdown. Back on April 07, 2003, I brought my 1998 Mazda 626 into a transmission repair shop to get my vehicle fixed. I was told the transmission was toast. It had overheated and burnt up most of the internals. I ended paying for a rebuilt unit, a new torque converter, and a drive chain. The total out of pocket expense was $1272. 00 now exactly three years down to the month I'm starting all over with the same problems. The transmission is going downhill again. Fortunately this time I parked it in the driveway and haven't fixed it yet. I am currently researching the problem and it appears to be a nationwide problem, yet nothing is being done about it.
I had to have the transmission replaced at 34,600 miles of normal city driving. The warranty was for 3 years/36,000 miles. (I was about 6. 5 months past warranty timewise) the mechanics who replaced it said that the front pump was scored, and that metal bits from it came out from the torque converter and lodged in the pressure valve, which was stuck. Also, the chain was stretched. Dt.
Transmission locked up while driving at 45 mph , vehicle came to a dead stop with engine running. Front wheels locked up, and would not move due to torque converter failure. Engine would stall during right turns, dealer reset computer, then engine light illuminated, dealer stated the torque converter clutch was slipping, transmission locked up on the way to a dealership for replacement of torque converter clutch, a new transmission was installed and 20 miles later the od off light illuminated, vehicle started smoking and losing power, this time dealer stated the cooling system in the radiator was not large enough to cool the transmission, an external cooling system was installed, now transmission needs replaced again, consumer requests that vehicle be replaced or repurchased by the dealer.