*edit* not that is matters, its a 92.. just a typo in the subect :-) OK, after a week with my Max I have noticed a few things, all of which I am sure I will be able to fix with the help of the great people here (don't let it go to your heads) :-D So, heres the dealio.. at 45 MPH when going uphill and at partial throttle there is a shake in the transmission?? that almost resembles going over "rumble strips" on the road.. its very noticible and doesn't seem good at all, by depressing the gas to the point that is disengages overdrive it goes away, if you go into the hill with more throttle it won't do it.. its not an all the time thing, but it happens enough. umm, the fluid in the trans is full, clean and doesnt seem to be burnt at all.. I'm open for suggestions, can this be an electronic (ignition etc) thing? or is it a sign that I will be doing a trans fix in the near future? thanks in advance.

PS, yes I searched.. just didnt find the right info ;-)

 

Any auto tranny is trouble!

Sorry to hear that

 

Blah... got me excited to see a reply already, and POOF.. shot down by an auto trans bash.. :-p anyone got usefull information :-)

 

my guess would be that is isnt the transmission at all...... you might wanna check your fuel injectors.......sometimes when they are under stress (putting alot of fuel in or somehting) they seem to not work right..... try and check the resistence on the injectors.. there may be your problem

 

does it matter how much gas is in the tank?

 

I prefer a full tank of gas as opposed to an empty one ;-) .. but to answer your question, i haven't really noticed if it makes a difference.. its happend several times, I'd have to say at around a half tank when it has happened.. also, my mileage is at about 22 MPG. does that seem right? the more I think about it, maybe it's time to do a good ol major tune-up along with fixing the other things I've now noticed such as the pass side boot on the PS rack is torn, I'm guessing it was weakened by the constant soaking of PS fluid on it from my leaking pressure hose.. this "shaking" issue... seems I'm just looking for things to work on lol.. but, hey.. cars paid for.. so, whats a few bucks here and there.

 

It certainly sounds like engine not firing, not the dreaded GM auto tranny clutch chatter you so vividly describe. Look to tune, then maybe injectors...I have 121k on my 90 and it was doing the same until parked about 10 days ago...Tranny is fine, injectors will remedy (if all of them ever get here....). Also figure on replacing all the hoses you can get your hands on if you have to take the intake plemun off....(isn't there another thread about this???)

 

This answer is not gonna make you any happier but still

I had the same problem with my auto trans just before it decided to give up. I think there was a problem with the valves or something... didn't get a chance to look it up before I made a 5 spd swap.

Anyway I would recommend you to either don't care about it and just drive on as long as it will go, or check the usual, tranny oil, level etc and if all else fails take it apart and check filter, valves and lamellas and replace as needed.

There are tons of stuff you could try before that of course, but my guess is you'll come around to the same conclusion as I did, and many others with me... the auto trans unfortunally $uck$ and 5 spd is the way to go

Here's a useful link:
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/748507
You should be able to find lots of info about how to check the electricals, fluids and other concerning the auto trans.

Good luck!

 

My Trannie slips in third only I did a complete fluid change
per instruction found on this forum. Still no third gear
or drive when I was changing the fluid Shifting through gears I had great fluid flow via the return line to the cooler
in first and second but poor flow in drive any help?? ideas
sorry to post here but I only have 5 posts and this is a related thread jeff

 

your not going to like my reply either its typically called tourque converter shudder very common my friends auto f150 does it you have to replace the converter

 

ok, injectors, trans, torque converter.. so, what is it?? are the stars perhaps not in alignment? :-) which one of you is the resident expert?

 

I had a similar problem with my 89 vg auto
any time i went up a hill or steep incline the trans would make a loud squelling noise. I found that either stepping on the gas harder to get the trans to down shift would help or to shut the overdrive switch off would cause the problem to go away. I had that problem when i bouhgt the car at 150k and drove it that way for over 50k miles till i sold the car and the trans never died.

 

we are not 100% positive... first check the easy things like the injectors... the trans and torque converter are a more lengthy procedure

 

if it only does it in OD (same as friends f150) easy solution is just to drive with the overdrive switch off your gas milage will suffer but you may never have to acually fix anything but the problem may get worse and start doing it in lower gears

you could try a trans flush but its a gamble weather or not it will fix it or finish it permanantly

 

Id clean your TCU and tranny connectors. Look for Wikings cardomain website he has a whole write up. and alot of VG stuff.

It could be a few things, but just check them all, but obviously tranny is hardest and most expensive so check that first.

~Alex

 

why woud you check the tranny first?????? go with cheaper things first so you dont spend a million dollars and watch it be a $15 part

 

I have been confused by the exatct problem on my 93 max gxe. Soaknfused, have you finally solved this problem? Thanks.

 

I had the same exact rumble going up a hill to the T a couple times. Its definately the transmission having trouble shifting +/- while on the hill. It feels like the trans is about to explode while it rumbles..and you let go cuz u dont want to to explode and it somewhat helps for that hill but..dosent help the fact that it will happen again. I also had the squeeling on hills too(trans bushings needed replaced = rebuild #2)
I would recomend a thorough check on your trans It seems to be time for a classic vg auto rebuild.

 

do the rpms jump up and down like 200 when its shaking?
it could be the lock up o-ring on the shaft that comes off the engine and goes into the torque converter(its slipping in and out of lock up overdrive)
its like a gas saving feature that drops your rpms like 200 after getting up to
speed(the converter spins at a 1 to 1 ratio).... look in the fsm

 

I didn't pay attention to rpms when the skaking happens. It is more likely to happen when going up hills at 45 mph and the moment I start to give more gas.

 

I have a 90 SE with only 84K while my dad has an 89 GXE with 109K. So far we've had no tranny problems. My dad drives like a senior citizen while I tend to go a little faster, but I don't race. If the trannys are as weak as indicated and we aren't going to switch to 5 spds, what should we do beyond changing the fluid?

 

add a trans cooler.