Here are the basic facts.

2002 DeVille. 71k miles. Transmission began showing signs of a problem a week ago. The car would shake bad after 45 mph for a few seconds on light throttle. I noticed the engine RPM was a bit higher than normal at cruise speed. I also checked to see if the torque converter was locking up by touching the brake pedal just enough to activate the brake lights while hold cruise speed with the throttle. The engine RPM didn't change. Since the car was still shifting OK and I heard no strange noises, I continued to drive the car on my daily 150 mile round trip commute to work. On day three the CHECK ENGINE SOON light came on and remained on. On day 5 the trans began to slip badly from a dead stop. This is when I knew time was up so I dropped the car off at a Cadillac Dealer near my work location.

This is basically what the dealer found.

They told me a main shaft seal of some sort had failed, which had something to do with oil control to the electronics that controlled the torque converter lock up.??? They also said a engine mount, one outer tie rod end was bad and the valve covers were leaking and the brakes pads were close to the end of life. (40k miles, on the pads, so that's about right)

I understood they were going to pull the trans and replace the converter along with the other seals and gaskets required.

I agreed to go ahead with the engine mount and tie rod replacement too.

Total cost is around $3200.00

Is this inline with this type of trans failure?

 

For all that work you had done (brakes, mount, tie rod, trans repair) that price seems about right.

In my experience GM does not try to get out of paying for repairs that are covered under warranty. On the contrary, dealers are given a good bit of leeway (?SP) to help loyal customers who have out of warranty problems.
Also the dealer does not have access to removing speed limiting software that is programmed into your cars computer.
Can you picture the liability they would assume for removing safety equipment from a vehical.

 

I'm having he exact same problem...but i cant spend that much money. any suggestions?