Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - October 18, 2025 - Hour 1 - GM Transmission Shudder, Toyota ECM Failures & the Truth About ‘Lifetime’ Fluid - (855)560-9900 24/7 Hotline

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I'm trying to understand technical service bulletins this week.

Hello and welcome, by the way.

I, you know, bulletins are kind of fun to read.

They, for me, they are.

You can see a pattern in how a vehicle is at fault or how a manufacturer is at fault.

In a sense, you ever, if you notice, if you ever read a technical bulletin and my shops out there do, but, you know, if you're a consumer, you probably haven't.

A technical bulletin is a suggestion or recommendation by a vehicle manufacturer that if you have this particular problem, here's a potential repair.

Here's a course of action to solve that problem because they've seen it over and over and over again as a pattern, as a consistent failure.

And that's key.

That's how bulletins get written.

That's how bulletins come to life.

Because you can imagine the, the legality of writing one single bulletin and then stop to consider that vehicle manufacturers put out thousands of bulletins every year.

And just what does it take to do that?

So to produce one bulletin, it means there's a problem, right?

It's not something they take willy nilly.

It's, it's, it's a real, it's a real issue.

I came across GM technical service bulletin and you can find this out online.

Just go Google search 23-NA North America, 23-NA-072.

It came out in April and May of 2023 and it talks about shudder and shake at low speeds.

And it's a very interesting bulletin to read because it's one of those bulletins that if you look at it, it gets your attention from the fact that it's still

starting with covering Buick Enclave model year 2019, Cadillac X-T5, X-T6s in 2020, Chevrolet Blazer Intraverses in 2019 and GMC Acadia's in 2020, all the way up to model year 2023.

So that's roughly four model years of vehicles across the entire product line up short of trucks in one sense.

And the bulletin talks about shudder or shake at low speed, TCC, torque converter, clutch, shudder, meaning that when the transmission is in certain gears and you accelerate, the vehicle is going to shudder or shake and do the hula, you know, sort of like when you get that brake pulse when you're stepping on the brake pedal at 55-60 because the rotors have warped or they've gone out of round.

And if you read this bulletin that covers four years worth and I can only guess at the number of vehicles that that affects, it goes on to talk about, you know, the course of action.

When does the fault occur? How often does it occur? What vehicle conditions? What road conditions?

And it's interesting to note that at a minimum, the first thing the bulletin tells you to do is change the trans fluid because the ATF, and I'll use the wording right off of page three of the bulletin, I've got it in front of me, ATF degradation has occurred.

That's a legal way of saying the trans fluid has gone bye-bye, all right? It lost all its abilities to shift and operate the transmission properly. It has lost its performance package.

In other words, change the trans fluid. Now, why does that just strike me as odd? Because we're in an age where manufacturers, most manufacturers are saying, don't change trans fluid. You don't need to.

It's not necessary. It's lifetime fluid. And what do I always tell you guys? Who's lifetime? It's lifetime until it's not. It's lifetime until the transmission breaks.

It's amazing to me how far the automotive industry has come in the 50-some-odd years that I'm in it.

I think that with proper care and maintenance, you can get a half a million miles out of most engines today. I think you can. I think it's a doable thing.

You've got to do your due diligence. You've got to do your oil changes. You've got to do your fuel system service. You've got to do your spark plugs when they call for it 80 to 100,000 miles most vehicles.

You've got to do your stuff. Coolant. Take care of your fluids. It seems like the industry still has a problem building a transmission to go that distance.

And have they overcomplicated it? Yeah, I think they've made transmissions more complicated than engines in some cases.

We went from three speeds when I first started doing this. I was in the business when it was two speeds. I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing. I've stayed current, so I guess it's a good thing.

We went from two speeds to three speeds, four speeds, five speeds, six speeds. There are now ten speed and above transmissions, and they're always shifting. They're always hunting.

They're working harder than ever before to keep that vehicle quote-unquote in the optimal performance band so that we get the best fuel economy and the lowest emissions out of it.

But it comes at a price because that transmission is really being worked and it's like a constant sprint all the time in a lot of cases.

And at what point does that trans fluid break down? I can tell you when it breaks down. It breaks down when you get as per technical bullets in 23 NAO 72.

You get shutter or shake at low speeds. It could be 30,000 miles. It could be 80,000 miles.

I've talked to GM trans guys and they tell me that GM is now reaching for and trying all different types of fluids, and I've seen it.

There are all different qualities and brands and types of trans fluid that GM is trying. And this isn't about General Motors. Don't misunderstand me.

My God, this is a two hour radio show. I need more than two hours to talk about the Ford transmission problem in the F-150, F-250 pickup trucks. What a disaster that is.

It just seems like we can't build a transmission. And when they have the problem, the first thing the bulletins all talk about.

Oh, you have ATF degradation. You need to change trans fluid. No kidding. Really?

You know, I feel like writing somebody and saying, you know, there's this guy on the radio has been talking about that for the longest time about how fluids make a vehicle go longer and last the distance.

GM is just finding this out in this bulletin. They're just admitting it, but it's worth a read.

The reason this gets me so incensed is you'll see some bulletins. You can tell the effect of that particular problem or the depth of that particular problem by looking at the bulletin.

You make model of cars. Sometimes you'll see it's, you know, it's 2019 Buick enclaves and it's got a shutter shimmy in its production date.

It was made, Julian date, February of 2019 through May of 2019. So maybe it's 200,000 vehicles or whatever the number is.

This is across four years and multiple divisions of General Motors. How many, how many thousands and thousands, maybe a million of cars have we made wrong?

Have we created this problem because we're not changing trans fluid? And that's a problem because guess who ultimately pays for this? Not GM.

This bulletin doesn't cover, and let me point that out, bulletins don't automatically mean it's covered under warranty.

It is if the manufacturer has enough of a problem and they decide to extend warranty, but a bulletin is a suggested course of action, whether the vehicle is in warranty or not.

And if it's out of warranty, guess who's paying for it? You, the happy vehicle owner.

I can't stress and I think I want to stress it again. If you haven't figured it out by now that look at fluids, look at all your fluids.

Look at more than just oil. You want the car to go the distance? Help the car go the distance. Start thinking about some sort of fluid routine.

I read this bulletin. You know, it's funny. I read this bulletin. You know what transmission first came to my mind?

The plastic pan filter built in $800 trans service on the Chrysler Jeep products that a couple of months back we were talking about.

I had spoken to some Jeep techs and they said, what's the point in servicing it? The fluid seems to fail. Breakdown on the trans seems to break anyway.

And I'm wondering, would they last longer with a more rigorous fluid schedule?

And you've got to say to yourself, because it all comes back to fluid.

It all comes back to the fact that fluid is breaking down. Transmission fluid is breaking down because of how hard it's being worked.

The heat is, is causing issues. It loses its ability to perform properly.

And once it does, it's, you know, once it turns, it then affects the transmission and before long.

And understand the other thing, and then I'm going to pull over.

The other thing to be aware of is, have you priced out a replacement transmission for something lately?

Oh my gosh.

You know, I remember when $4,000 seemed like a lot of money. $4,000 seems like a bargain now.

There are transmissions in Jeep products and GM products and we had a Chevy Traverse in the shop two months back that they wanted us to verify it had a bad transit.

After the dealer told them it had a bad trans because the dealer wanted $14,000 to put a transmission in this Chevy Traverse.

You know, I didn't read the estimate. I'm not sure exactly what was involved.

All I know was it was supposed to be getting a complete transmission assembly.

And there were some other complications because exhaust had to come down and a few other things.

So yeah, probably had a couple of grand, but still it's probably every bit of eight, nine grand to put a transmission in a Chevy Traverse.

America's car, the one that everybody's driving, all the mom and pops.

Remember when everybody was driving in palace? Remember in palace, four doors?

Got to be something to be said for that.

Maybe there's something to be said for looking at taxi cabs.

Maybe that's what we should do. You want to know what kind of car to buy?

Go look at the taxi cab drivers are driving in the big city near you because if they're driving it, that means it goes 400,000 miles with minimal breakage because they can't afford to fix it because they pay too much for the medallion, which is a whole conversation for another day.

Start looking at bulletins, 23 NAO 72. See what that does for you.

Start looking at what they're really saying in the course of action in the history of the automobile and that particular manufacturer and how they're having that problem.

Bulletins are an interesting read, sometimes more so than a good crime drama.

855-560-9900, I'm Ron Ananey in the car doctor. I'll be back right after this. Don't go away.

For 25 years, I've explored what it means to heal, not just for myself, but alongside others.

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And, you know, ironically, the root of the word spirit is breath, which is why one of the most revolutionary acts that we can do as people is just breathe.

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Let's, let's cruise over to Arizona coming in loud and clear today. Let's go talk to Kate online too. Kate with her 03 Rev4. Katie, this doesn't sound good. So from what Tom's reading to me here.

What's going on? What's going on?

Oh, thank you, Professor Ron. The season senior in the season Rev4 needs some doctor's help. The vehicle started responding sluggishly taking off from a stop as September 29.

But then it was intermittent and not always occurring. So I thought it may have been a bad tank of gas.

And it resolved for a few days and then started up again. It has 185,000 miles on it now. On October 9, after taking it in for an oil change, there were no symptoms.

But on the way home, it started again where it would be sluggish from a stop and then it would do it again around 3032 and then start again and sort of hard shift into 4042.

Only once in that time period did it, did the speedometer intact. It was stuck at 40 miles and then at the four. On the ninth, the check engine light came on and it was a code P0755.

And going through my paperwork though, when I called Toyota customer service, it was August of 2010 that there was, it's actually supposedly a false indicator light for the P codes and the P0755 is one of them.

And they were replacing malfunctioning ECM. And what my concern is, is I, being in my 70s and not having the kind of income I did, I don't want to make a mistake by putting in a whole new transmission or some people are saying just service it.

Just put in a ECM. What are the steps that maybe could be preventative healthcare? I've always had the fluids change up until 20 and follow the service. It was up until 2019 that we were using the Toyota fluids and my guy is retired.

So now I've just been having it checked. So the last time the trans was changed was 2019 and we've been checking the fluids ever since and they keep telling me it looks fine.

Right. So when you say, when you say trans was changed, you mean the trans fluid was changed?

Yes, I'm sorry.

That's okay. So who services this on a bigger scale, Toyota or an independent?

It's an independent.

Okay. I mean, nothing wrong. I was just curious what your relationship is with Toyota at this point. Yes, they did have a campaign. It's the P0755-10150 RAV4 campaign.

They had some issues and Toyota was starting out with replacement of the ECM. Just like you described, the letter is absolutely spot on. They had extended warranty 10 years, 150,000 miles.

Right.

So, you know, here's the role of the dice. They're saying they want the PCM replaced, engine controller replaced, and in some cases they want to replace the transmission.

You know, I can see your argument like gee whiz, but I can also see theirs because it's where are we? 03. So it's, you know, 13 years past the 10-year date of service.

It's interesting to note that the 03 RAV got the notice about the extended campaign seven years into the life of the vehicle. Right?

Right.

So, you know, it's funny. You know, I opened the show talking about TSBs and how manufacturers seem to construe them to their advantage. And here's a perfect example of it.

It took seven, eight years of 03 RAV4s running around in the streets of America to find out that there's a problem with the P0755. It kind of doesn't make any sense.

The elder advice in me would say to you, Kate, you got your money's worth out of the car.

Right.

Probably not the answer you're looking for, but that's the reality of it. You did get your money's worth out of it. You got 20, 20, 22 years, almost 200,000 miles.

The question here isn't which or what should you do first? The question is what does the rest of the car look like and how committed to it are you?

It's been a good car. I'm originally from Illinois and back in 2011 it took a trip back and forth with me. I've maintained it.

Unfortunately, the catalytic converter had gone out in, oh, it was around 2023 and they replaced it and that went bad and I just put in another cat April 15th of 2025.

But like I say, I've maintained it and if it can just do, I don't do a lot of heavy driving now and if it's something that would be a safe vehicle and worthy of being on the road without causing any harm or inconvenience to me or others,

I'd like to do preventative and ongoing maintenance on it. But if it's going to be $4,000, $5,000 and then something else.

Well, and that's the part to tell.

You know, Kate, that's the part you don't know. I'll tell you what, sit tight. Let me pull over, take the pause. When we come back, we'll finish up and then we'll get on to Greg in Arizona also.

So if everybody stays put, I'm Ron Anani in the car doctor, 855-560-9900, myself and Tom, who we haven't spoken to yet today.

I mean, we'll let him get into the second half of this hour and we'll both be back right after this. Don't go away.

For 25 years, I've explored what it means to heal, not just for myself, but alongside others.

I'm Mike Del Rocha. This is Sacred Lessons, a space for reflection, growth and collective healing.

What do you tell men that are hurting right now?

Everything's going to be okay on the other side, you know, just push through it.

And you know, ironically, the root of the word spirit is breath.

Wow, which is why one of the most revolutionary acts that we can do as people is just breathe.

Next to the wound is their gifts. You can't even find your gifts unless you go through the wound.

That's the hard thing. You think, well, I'm going to get my gifts. I don't want to go through all that.

You got to go through the wounds you're left.

Listening to other people's near-death experiences, and that's all they say.

In conclusion, love is the answer.

Listen to Sacred Lessons as part of the Mike Guthrie Podcast Network,

available on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hi, I'm Dr. Priyanka Wally.

And I'm Hari Kandavolu.

On our new podcast, Health Stuff, we demystify your burning health questions.

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I'm talking about very serious stuff right now, and you're laughing at me.

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The social media trend that's landing some Gen Zers in jail.

The progressive media darling whose public meltdown got her fired.

I'm going to take Francesco off the network entirely.

The massive TikTok boycott against Target that makes no actual sense.

I will continue getting stuff from Target and I will continue to not pay for it.

And the MAGA influencers whose trip to the White House ended in embarrassment.

So refreshing to have the press secretary after the last few years who's both intelligent and articulate.

You won't hear about these online stories in the mainstream media,

but you can keep up with them and all the other entertaining and outrageous things happening online, in media, and in politics

with the Brad vs. Everyone Podcast, hosted by me, Brad Palumbo.

Every day of the week, I bring you on a wild ride who the most delulu takes on the internet,

criticizing the extremes of both sides from an independent perspective.

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And it's interesting to see some of the comments that people are making.

Some good, some have me scratching my head like, how are they thinking?

But in any event, let's get back to Kate and Arizona waiting their patiently.

Kate, so regarding the 03 RAV4, up until about five years ago,

we actually saw a lot of these vehicles for this particular problem.

And in the case of a P0755 in the 10 year, 150,000 mile Toyota campaign,

I call it, or bulletin, however you want to look at it.

The greater majority of vehicles were repaired by replacing ECMs.

That's good news.

If we play the percentages, the problem here is you can go through a diagnosis,

but you're diagnosing against known bed, known failures, known pattern issues.

Now, my question or my concern, because I'm always trying to root for you guys,

do we have any hope at Toyota if we call Toyota up and lay it on them?

You know what, I'm in my 70s, this is the vehicle I bought when I thought Toyota was the company.

I know it's 20 years later, but I'm having a problem related to something you guys had an issue with,

the issue, the campaign for it, and I know I'm out, but is there any room for consideration here?

Like mom said, once in a while mom said to me, she said,

you know, Ron, you got to throw yourself on the mercy of the court and see what they do.

She was right, I'm still here.

There you go, good mom.

Good mom, I got the mercy.

Those darn hot rods.

And does that take us anywhere?

The curiosity I've got is, I wonder if anybody at Toyota in the dealership level is going to remember this campaign.

Cars 23.

I have my original mailing of it.

Well, no, no, no, but that, I mean, you know, are they going to remember a service campaign that ended,

officially ended, 12 years ago?

Right.

You just have to, well, no more than 12 years ago, what am I saying, 25, 23, 13 years ago,

are they going to really have any memory of this that they're going to know,

yeah, we replaced a lot of ECMs.

ECMs was the first step.

It would be interesting to have a conversation with them and see what that gets you.

Because you know, Ron, my compliment to Toyota customer service in California,

the woman did check into it and she read, she says, well, let me see if it is the ECM that we found was the remedy.

And she took the time and was reading to me.

And she says, I'm reading this and she read out loud.

And then she said, yes, that seems that it should be the approach to it, the ECM.

And what I'm also concerned about is if I were to continue driving it for a while,

as is with these intermittent symptoms, if it truly is the ECM, which we don't know,

would I burn out the transmission?

I'm fortunate in that my family had been military.

I learned a lot and we used to repair our vehicles.

So what would approach to doing a soft reset by disconnecting the battery and resetting it wouldn't do the computer.

That's not going to do it here.

Not to get personal, Kate, but I'm going to get personal for a second and nobody knows who you are because it's radio.

But do you walk with a cane?

Sometimes, yeah.

So imagine when you had to walk with a cane and you didn't, right?

You know, you'd get there, you'd sort of strain your ligaments and your joints, but you'd get there, right?

You know, it's sort of the same way.

Here's a car that needs a PCM or maybe it needs a PCM, right?

So we're making the joints and the ligaments of the transmission work harder under a duress condition and we're just beating it up.

So we could do that long enough to the point where we need a knee or a transmission or we could walk with the cane or put a PCM in it and see what that gets us.

We're in our Arizona sunset, me and the car.

Sunsetting together.

I get it.

100% kiddo.

I get it.

I really do.

I just, you know, the other thing I want to caution you on is, all right, and then I've got to go, is if you do put a PCM in it,

I would strongly recommend that you get one from Toyota.

Not, not, you know, independent shops can do transmissions, can do computers and all.

As if he was going to use a Toyota PCM.

Great.

But, you know, for an independent shop to go purchase an aftermarket, quote unquote, reman computer.

Nah, nah.

I don't, I don't, well, I don't think, I don't think an aftermarket computer rebuilder has the technical ability.

And I've said this for years to catch that intermittent glitch, that intermittent failure, that once in a blue moon high tide, you know, left turn Tuesday kind of a problem with the equipment they've got at their level because they can't afford it.

Right.

And the quality, the quality is what's important.

Right.

It's, it's, and so many of these cars had this particular problem.

If you got an aftermarket PCM or a used PCM, how would you know that it's didn't solve your problem?

You're just getting a repeat of the original problem because that computer still has that reman problem in it.

You know, this is like when somebody says to me, hey, Ron, I'm getting a software update from my car.

It does this, this and this.

Can you tell me what's going to fix it?

You know what the answer is?

No.

I can just tell you that the software updates going to fix it because the engineer installed that software.

I can tell you that the greater likelihood of P0755 is going to fix it because the pattern failure shows us that.

Do I know what they did to the PCM to make it fix it?

No.

Do I care?

Not really.

Because it's not anything I could purchase separately and install.

Right.

You know, but in this, in this case, you know, the manufacturer has said, yeah, we've got an oopsie.

We made a mistake.

There's something here that doesn't hold up to our level of expectation.

This is what we want you to do.

So I don't want you or anybody to misread that.

They're not saying just put any old PCM in it.

They want whatever part number the bulletin talks about, whatever brand or level of quality that particular PCM is from Toyota to go in the vehicle.

And that's how you'll know if it fixes it, it does.

If not, then step two is a transmission.

Now, you know, last thought before you do any of this, you just got to ask yourself, you know, do you want to get married to this car?

Because you're about to get married to this car for the next four to six years to justify the expense.

So just, just mull that over.

And that's a pocketbook decision.

And I thank you for your suggestions.

And I had not thought of asking them to consider about the letter because I just figured it was past the expiration date.

So it can hurt.

It can hurt.

Thank you.

Like mom also said, it can hurt to ask.

So there you go.

Or you can get us a note.

Your program means so, so much.

It plays out here in Tucson at five o'clock in the morning.

And I lay there listening to it.

And sometimes I doze off, but I've learned a lot.

And I so appreciate your, your educating us and keeping us knowledgeable about things that are changing to in the world of vehicles.

You're very welcome, Kate.

Our doctor's offices could take a lesson from how you help teach us.

So I thank you.

You're very welcome.

Take care, Ron.

You're very welcome.

Thank you for contacting.

Bye-bye.

You're welcome.

Bye-bye.

You be well.

I'm Ron Inani in the car doctor.

We'll be back right after this.

For 25 years, I've explored what it means to heal, not just for myself, but alongside others.

I'm Mike Del Rocha.

This is Sacred Lessons, a space for reflection, growth and collective healing.

What do you tell men that are hurting right now?

Everything's going to be okay on the other side, you know, just push through it.

And, you know, ironically, the root of the word spirit is breath.

Wow.

Which is why one of the most revolutionary acts that we can do as people is just breathe.

Next to the wound is their gifts.

You can't even find your gifts unless you go through the wound.

That's the hard thing.

You think, well, I'm going to get my gifts.

I don't want to go through all that.

You got to go through the wounds you're left.

Listening to other people's near-death experiences, and that's all they say.

In conclusion, love is the answer.

Listen to Sacred Lessons as part of the Mike Guthura Podcast Network,

available on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.

The thing I love about Atlanta is that it's a city of hustlers, man.

I really just had never experienced anything like what was going on in the city as far as, like, you know,

seeing so many young black affluent creatives in all walks of life.

And God said, this is your assignment.

And that's, like, how you know, like, okay, are you from Atlanta for real?

I ain't got to say too much.

I'm a great baby. Shut up.

Listen to Atlanta is on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.

On the podcast Health Stuff, we are tackling all the health questions that keep you up at night.

Yes. I'm Dr. Priyanka Wally, a double-board certified physician.

And I'm Hari Kundabolu, a comedian and someone who once Googled,

Do I Have Scurvy at 3 a.m.?

On Health Stuff, we're talking about health in a different way.

It's not only about what we can do to improve our health,

but also what our health says about us and the way we're living.

Like our episode where we look at diabetes.

In the United States, I mean, 50% of Americans are prediabetic.

How preventable is type two?

Extremely.

Or our in-depth analysis of how incredible mangoes are.

Oh, it's hard to explain to the rest of the world that, like, your mangoes are fine

because mangoes are incredible, but, like, you don't even know.

You don't know. You don't know.

It's going to be a fun ride. So tune in.

Listen to Health Stuff on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts,

or wherever you get your podcasts.

The social media trend that's landing some Gen Zers in jail.

The progressive media darling whose public meltdown got her fired.

I'm going to take Francesco off the network entirely.

The massive TikTok boycott against Target that makes no actual sense.

I will continue getting stuff from Target, and I will continue to not pay for it.

And the MAGA influencers whose trip to the White House ended in embarrassment.

So refreshing to have the press secretary after the last few years,

who's both intelligent and articulate.

You won't hear about these online stories in the mainstream media,

but you can keep up with them and all the other entertaining and outrageous things

happening online, in media, and in politics, with the Brad vs. Everyone podcast,

hosted by me, Brad Palumbo.

Every day of the week, I bring you on a wild ride,

who the most Delulu takes on the internet, criticizing the extremes of both sides

from an independent perspective.

Join in on the insanity and listen to the Brad vs. Everyone podcast

on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

We break down every matchup, give you our analysis and advice,

so you know who to start, sit, drop, and trade to bring that championship trophy home.

I just want to remind everyone how good Rashid Rice was last season.

And these three healthy games, he was the wide receiver too in fantasy.

I think Rashid Rice just goes off this week.

The Chiefs come on a flip-pasta, Rice, their side, touch down!

Remindry Stevens is my sleeper this week.

This is a matchup where I think I can slide in Stevens into my flex position,

and he can deliver double-digit points this week.

Drake takes the snap, hands it off for Monterey, running it right,

and running into the end zone, touch down!

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Welcome.

What do you think?

I think it is coincidental unless they pinched a wire during engine replacement.

The way I would break it down is, now this is a traditional,

I'm trying to think what this cluster looked like in 94.

Is this a digital output display or is this an analog display?

Does it look like a needle in a speedometer?

Yes, it looks like a needle.

It's just when you hit a bump?

Yes.

The vehicle speed sensor, does the car have cruise control?

Yes.

If you put the cruise on and hit a bump, does the cruise disengage?

I haven't driven it lately.

Here's why I say that.

Because vehicle speed signal comes out of the VSS at the tail shaft of the transmission.

It's just an AC signal generator.

It's like a pickup coil mounted in the back of the transmission.

That sends a signal up to the drag, which is the digital read module in the back of the glovebox next to the PCM,

and then that converts that signal so it can send it over to the PCM.

It's a buffer.

We can read that signal a multitude of different ways.

We could look at it on a scan tool, we could look at it with a lab scope,

but we could also do something where it's just as simple as pie, just put it on cruise.

If the cruise were to shut off, then I'm going to tell you somehow the signal either going to the PCM or the drag is being cut off

and causing it to fail.

If the cruise stays engaged, that means that the PCM is still receiving proper signal

and that the distance is now, we've now cut the circuit in half.

Think of it like this, right?

The vehicle speed sensors in the tail shaft of the trans.

So from there it goes to the PCM and the drag, which are in the glovebox,

and from those it goes to the instrument cluster.

Okay, you with me?

If you put it on cruise and the signal drops out when you hit the bump

or a bumpy road, repetitive bumpy road, right?

That's telling us that the problem is related to loss of signal.

If it stays engaged, that means that the, and we still lose the speedometer,

that means somewhere between the PCM and the instrument cluster,

we've lost command to control the cluster.

How long ago was the engine block replaced?

Probably about six years ago, but I haven't been driving it too much.

I've been waiting to repair, remodel, restore the inside.

So the engine was replaced six years ago and it's just recently that you started driving it?

Well, no, ever since I've been driving it, it's been doing, after the engine,

it's been doing this shorting, but I really haven't had it on the freeway

where I was using cruise control.

Okay, that's fair.

But that's part of the way I would, you know, for you the consumer to break it down,

that's part of what I would do.

If it loses cruise, well, then I've got a signal dropout.

Why do I have a signal dropout?

Is it possible that wiring coming up from the transmission,

it would be kind of odd that we pinched one of the two wires coming out of the vehicle,

speed sensor coming up to the vehicle was pinched and caused as a result of doing the engine.

That would be, you know, why aren't we affecting something else would be my question, right?

And at that point, the other thing I would look at is if I put it on a scan tool,

because I can still run a scan tool in 94, it would just be an OBD-1.

It would be something old school, or I would look at it with a lab scope.

Do I have signal loss?

You know, which end of the problem do we want to attack at the trans or at the cluster?

It would not be impossible for this to have a bad cluster.

They were common back in the day, right?

The other thing, and what this might develop into is if this becomes a consistent loss

of speedometer needle position, or the speedometer.

Does it ever act erratic, Greg?

Does it ever speed up and seem like it's going faster than you actually are?

No, no, it seems like it's steady only when I hit that bump.

It flakes off. Try cruise control.

Let's do cruise control first, and then we can talk further about it if we have to.

Okay. Another question on the same vehicle.

I'll tell you what, stay put.

Stay put. Let me pull over, take the pause when we come back.

We'll finish up.

I'm Ronan Annie and the car doctor. We'll be back right after this.

Wow, which is why one of the most revolutionary acts that we can do as people is just breathe.

Next to the wound is their gifts.

You can't even find your gifts unless you go through the wound.

That's the hard thing. You think, well, I'm going to get my gifts.

I don't want to go through all that.

You've got to go through the wounds you're left with.

Listening to other people's near-death experiences, and that's all they say.

In conclusion, love is the answer.

Listen to Sacred Lessons as part of the MyCutura podcast network,

available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.

The social media trend that's landing some Gen Zers in jail.

The progressive media darling whose public meltdown got her fired.

I'm going to take Francesco off the network entirely.

The massive TikTok boycott against Target that makes no actual sense.

I will continue getting stuff from Target, and I will continue to not pay for it.

And the MAGA influencers whose trip to the White House ended in embarrassment.

So refreshing to have the press secretary after the last few years who's both intelligent and articulate.

You won't hear about these online stories in the mainstream media,

but you can keep up with them and all the other entertaining and outrageous things

happening online, in media, and in politics with the Brad vs. Everyone podcast,

hosted by me, Brad Palumbo.

Every day of the week, I bring you on a wild ride who the most Delulu takes on the internet,

criticizing the extremes of both sides from an independent perspective.

Join in on the insanity and listen to the Brad vs. Everyone podcast

on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

On health stuff, we're talking about health in a different way.

It's not only about what we can do to improve our health.

But also what our health says about us and the way we're living.

Like our episode where we look at diabetes.

In the United States, I mean, 50% of Americans are pre-diabetic.

How preventable is type 2?

Extremely. Or our in-depth analysis of how incredible mangoes are.

Oh, it's hard to explain to the rest of the world that your mangoes are fine

because mangoes are incredible, but you don't even know.

You don't know. You don't know.

It's going to be a fun ride. So tune in.

Listen to health stuff on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

If we're on the air here, and I literally have my contract here,

and I'm looking at as soon as I sign this, I'm going to get a seven-figure check.

I've told them I won't be working here in two weeks.

From the underground clubs that shaped global music

to the pastors and creatives who built the cultural empire,

the Atlanta Ears podcast uncovers the stories behind one of the most influential cities in the world.

The thing I love about Atlanta is that it's a city of hustlers, man.

Each episode explores a different chapter of Atlanta's rise,

featuring conversations with Ludacris, Will Packer, Pastor Jamal Bryant, DJ Drama, and more.

The full series is available to listen to now.

I really just had never experienced anything like what was going on in the city as far as, like, you know,

seeing so many young, black, affluent creatives in all walks of life.

The church had dwindled almost to nothing, and God said, this is your assignment.

And that's like how you know, like, okay, are you from Atlanta for real? I ain't got to say too much.

I'm a Grady, baby. Shut up.

Listen to Atlanta Ears on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hey, y'all, it's me, your man, M.G. Marcus Grant.

And I'm Michael F. Florio.

And I'm Laquan Jones.

If you're looking to win your fantasy football league, you need to tune in to the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast.

It's right there in the name. Every week, Florio, LQ, and I bring you the latest news from around the league.

We break down every matchup, give you our analysis and advice so you know who to start, sit, drop, and trade to bring that championship trophy home.

I just want to remind everyone how good Rishi Rice was last season in these three healthy games.

He was the wide receiver too in fantasy. I think Rishi Rice just goes off this week.

The Chiefs come on a flip, Pastor Rice. Their side, touchdown!

Remindry Stevens is my sleeper this week.

This is a matchup where I think I can slide in Stevens into my flex position and he could deliver double-digit points this week.

Drake takes the snap, hands it off, Ramadri running it right and running into the end zone. Touchdown!

It's never too late to turn your fantasy season around. Subscribe to the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.

I would pay attention to that too because that will also tell us if the odometer continues to function but the speedo doesn't, you know, the needle actually physically stops or drops or hiccups,

but the odometer seems to work normal, then I would question the instrument cluster as well. That tends to point to an issue there.

So, second question while I can get you. Go ahead.

Where can I get a decent dash replacement for this vehicle? I don't really want to put an aftermarket plastic on.

Right. You mean the actual gauges themselves or the carrier and the cluster?

Oh, the dashboard on top.

Oh, the padded dash. Who is it? LMC Truck?

Oh, there's an aftermarket.

Yeah, they're going to have the aftermarket stuff. As far as OE, boy brother, you're going to have to dig up a part number and start scrounging.

I mean, there's no, because the problem is that's not a cookie cutter vehicle anymore.

That's not what I call a catalog car. Nobody's restoring those.

I'm not so impressed by the fact that I restored a 55 Chevy to make it look like it did because all I had to do was open a catalog and be fussy.

But restoring a 94 Blazer, that's a trick, right? There's not that much love.

Listen, I was standing in line at the Pizza Real last night. You'll appreciate this story. We'll close out the hour here.

I ran into my friend Tom. He's trying to sell his late father-in-law. It's 47 Lincoln.

And he said, nobody wants it. I said, yeah, nobody wants a 47 Lincoln. You can't restore it anymore.

There's no parts for it. There's no market for it. The market that wanted that car is going away.

So the classic car industry is changing rapidly.

But you know what? We'll put it out there, Greg.

If anybody knows of a place, Greg can get a dash for a 94 Blazer.

By all means, let us know.

Greg, I appreciate the conversation. I'm Ron Anani in the car doctor until the next time.

Good mechanics are inexpensive. They're priceless. See ya.

I didn't really have an interest in being on air. I kind of was up there to just try and infiltrate the building.

From the underground clubs that shaped global music to the pastors and creatives who built the cultural empire.

The Atlanta Is podcast uncovers the stories behind one of the most influential cities in the world.

The thing I love about Atlanta is that it's a city of hustlers, man.

Each episode explores a different chapter of Atlanta's rise featuring conversations with Ludacris, Will Packer, Pastor Jamal Bryant, DJ Drama, and more.

The full series is available to listen to now. Listen to Atlanta Is on the iHeart Radio App, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hi, I'm Dr. Priyanka Wally.

And I'm Harry Kandabolu.

On our new podcast, Health Stuff, we demystify your burning health questions.

You'll hear us being completely honest about our own health.

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We want to make health less confusing and maybe even a little fun.

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Talking about guns with others might not always feel comfortable, but it could save a life.

Here's a way to start a conversation.

Your family is going over to your neighbor's home for dinner for the first time.

How would you ask if there are any unlocked guns in the home?

Hey!

Hey, we're so excited for tonight.

Before we come over, though, may I ask if there are any unlocked guns in your home?

Our guns are stored securely, locked in a safe that the kids can't access.

Awesome.

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I'm Marcus Grant.

And I'm Michael F. Florio, and together we host the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast.

Ready to dominate your fantasy league this season?

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Success is not an accident.

I'm passing the ball to you.

Let's go.

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - October 18, 2025 - Hour 1 - GM Transmission Shudder, Toyota ECM Failures & the Truth About ‘Lifetime’ Fluid - (855)560-9900 24/7 Hotline

About this episode

technical service bulletin

Cadillac Xt6S

GMC Acadias

Cadillac XT5

Chevrolet Blazer

Buick Enclave

Ford Four Model

torque converter clutch (TCC)

transmission fluid (ATF)

lifetime fluid

spark plugs

fuel economy

trans fluid

F-250

F-150

ATF degradation

transmission service

replacement transmission

Chevy Traverse

P0755

PCM

TSB

Toyota Rav4S

instrument cluster

engine block

cruise control

speed sensor

scan tool

OBD-1

speedometer

odometer

dashboard

classic car industry

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