What would cause a 1993 Mazda MX-6 v6 to shift erratically?

Answer

the v6 is a great engine, but mazda's automatic transmissions were horrible until about 2000, it could be one of quite a few things, i would start with the cheapest and just try to top off the transmission fluid, but if its low, odds are you have a leak, a couple quarts will run you ten or fifteen dollars, the next best thing would be to take it to aamco, or another transmission shop, and get it flushed, run you about $100, this is probably your best bet to try and get any gunk out of your transmission that could cause it to shift erratically, lasty and by and far the last thing you want to do is replace the transmission, run you $1200-1600, at that point you have to ask yourself if its worth it, try the first two things , and if no change, i would say ride it to the ground and save the money you would have spent on the transmission and buy yourself a stick shift mx6 for $2000

Answer

The Mazda MX-6 (also Probe) automatic transmissions were bad (they were Ford made) but the main culprit is the poor cooling - the transmission cooler is just too small. All MX-6 automatic transmission owners should at a minimum change the transmission fluid once per year. See the link.

First answer by ID1135575517. Last edit by Barawn. Contributor trust: 35 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 45 [recommend question]