Holden Commodore Pricing and Specs

You have two issues here. The first is the transmission problem, and, to be honest, on a late model car like this, an automatic transmission specialist is where you need to go. A slipping transmission can be caused by all manner of things, starting with the simple low fluid level, to the catastrophic mechanical failure. In between there are also electronic possibilities to be investigated.

Your second problem is that you’ve spent otherwise useful money on an aftermarket extended warranty. All too often, these warranties are carefully worded to exclude a range of possible problems you might experience. You might be lucky and the warranty will cover the repairs (it’s definitely worth a try) but don’t be surprised if the fine-print scuppers any chance of the warranty paying out.

Unfortunately, the odds are against this problem being a simple blown fuse. This series of cars is notorious for ABS faults and the cause is almost always the control module that has failed. A replacement module is the only real fix.

You can either source a brand new module, a reconditioned one or, for about $100 or so, a second-hand module from a parts recycler that specialises in this type of vehicle. The market for these is well served purely because failures of this component are so common.

Modern automatic transmissions are pretty complex things and there’s a lot that can go wrong from the simple low fluid level to the catastrophic like a broken torque converter or failed valve body, gearset, oil pump or clutch pack.

But mechanics know that the first sign of this transmission failing totally is a refusal to select Drive. Take the car to a transmission specialist who will have seen these symptoms before and will have a pretty good idea of what’s going on before they even lay a spanner on the car. And be prepared to replace the transmission as the only proper fix.

A second-hand transmission from a wrecked Commodore might be an option, but only if you can prove that the unit has done moderate mileage and, therefore, is probably not about to produce the same symptoms as yours already has.