2003 Chevy Impala CODE P1811

CMFAVOR

MEMBER
2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
82,966 MILES

On 9-25-08 I was front ended by a astro van.
I had the body work repaired. I started driving the car about the end of november 2008. 2 weeks ago I was leaving for work about 2 blocks away I stopped at free way entrance light. When I went to take off the car stutter and was slow to take off. I took the car the dealer right away. After 9 hrs the said they think it's my transmission they said the code was P1118 max. Adapt. They wanted $3200.00 plus to fix.
I drove the car home 2 blocks away. A week later I took it to another dealer and after 3 days they finally got a code to come up P1811 and said your transmission is going out. They wanted $3300.00 plus tax. I drove the car home about 14 miles. I mention this to a truck driver yesterday and he told me the samething happen to his daughter last year and he told the mechanic on his job about the situation. The mechanic said the car was in accident maybe it's the speed sensor is acting up. The mechanic check the sensor and change it for only $200.00 never had another problem. I put about $7000.00 in the car for the body work and air bags. Is it worth it? My co-worker said his son use to work for GM and he drivers
an 2004 chevy Impala. He said GM knows there is a issue with the transmissions but want do anything about them or do a recall. Please advised a very frustrated person!
Thank you

1 Reply

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

Looking at the tech bullitens for your car, there does sem to be a lot for the tranny, p1811 is a pressure and shift time problems, see the info below for possible causes.
Diagnostic Procedure
1. Did you perform the diagnostic system check? If so, go to next step. If not, see DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM CHECK under SELF-DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM. 2. Did you perform the transmission fluid checking procedure? If so, go to next step. If not, perform the transmission fluid checking procedure. See appropriate AUTOMATIC article in TRANSMISSION SERVICING. 3. Install a scan tool. Turn ignition on, engine off. Before clearing the DTCs, use the scan tool to record the failure records for reference. Using the CLEAR INFO function will erase the stored failure records from the PCM. Record the failure records. Clear the DTCs. Are any of DTCs P0121, P0122, P0123, P0218, P0502, P0503, P0711, P0712, P1121 or P1122 also set? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 5. 4. Diagnose the above DTCs first. Is the diagnosis and repair complete? If so, go to step 14. 5. Use the scan tool snapshot mode to record the shift times. Drive the vehicle in D4 to obtain a 1-2, 2-3 and 3-4 upshift. Record the shift times. Did all the shift times exceed 0.65 seconds? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 8. 6. Perform the line pressure check. See HYDRAULIC PRESSURE TESTS under PERFORMANCE TESTS. Is the line pressure within specifications? If so, see DIAGNOSTIC AIDS. If not, go to next step. 7. Inspect the transaxle for the following conditions:
� � � Fluid level low.
� � � Oil filter and seal missing, plugged or damaged.
� � � Spacer plate and gasket damaged or misassembled.
� � � Pressure Control (PC) solenoid valve damaged or contaminated.
� � � Pressure regulator valve line-up binding or damaged.
� � � Torque signal valve line-up binding or damaged.
� � � Oil pump assembly damaged or missing components.
Repair as necessary. Did you complete the repair? If so, go to step 14.
8. Did the 1-2 shift time exceed 0.65 seconds? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 10. 9. Inspect the transaxle for the following conditions:
� � � 1-2 accumulator piston seals rolled or damaged.
� � � 1-2 accumulator piston and pin missing, binding or damaged.
� � � Forward servo assembly damaged or misassembled.
� � � Oil pump assembly damaged or missing components.
� � � Spacer plate and gaskets damaged or misassembled.
� � � Driven sprocket support seals damaged or missing.
� � � 2nd clutch piston and seal assembly binding or damaged.
� � � 2nd clutch fiber and steel plates misassembled, burned or damaged.
� � � 2nd clutch spring assembly damaged or misassembled.
� � � Forward band burned, damaged or misassembled.
� � � 1-2 support roller clutch assembly damaged or misassembled.