its been a while since i posted, it does feel good to be back. coming to the problem at hand, i have a feeling that my auto tranny may be seeing the end of its days. i am not sure yet, but it does feel like it. i've about 110k on the car and these past few days, everytime the car is started for the first time, when i change gears to say R or D either one, the rpm needle dips to below 500 and then the engine dies. but if i rev it a little for a couple of min, the car runs as though nothing ever happened. also while driving, the shifts are absolutely uncertain, and it keeps shifting quite often until i am going a steady speed. its like it upshifts and downshifts for no apparent reason. i'm still waiting for the VB mod from Don, but in the meanwhile i really need to get this sorted out. i havent done a tranny fluid flush yet, but will this help? all other suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

Road test the vehicle.

When you shift from Neutral into Drive, can you drive away immediately or is there a delay? A delay is a bad sign.

When the transmission shifts, does it feel as if it is in Neutral for an instant? That is called "flare" or "breakaway" and it is a bad sign.

Does the transmission shift when you think it should? If it shifts way too early or way too late that is a bad sign.

Does it downshift when you floor the accelerator? A delayed downshift (or none at all) is a bad sign.

Can you feel the shifts? You should, but they should not be made with an uncomfortable jolt.

Drive at highway speed and test the O/D OFF button. Make sure it works.

There are several tests you can make with the fluid on the automatic transmission dipstick.

1) Level. It should be up to the full mark.

2) Color. It should be bright red and translucent. A brown or black color is a sign of fluid degraded by excessive heat, and/or worn friction materials. A milky pink "Pepto Bismol" color is a sign of water contamination.

3) Odor. It should have a clean oily smell. A burned odor is a sign of fluid degraded by excessive heat.

4) Feel. Wipe the dipstick with your fingers and then rub your fingers together. It should be smooth and slippery. A "gritty" feeling is a sign of worn friction materials.

 

Road test the vehicle.
Did it.

When you shift from Neutral into Drive, can you drive away immediately or is there a delay? A delay is a bad sign.
There is a slight delay.

When the transmission shifts, does it feel as if it is in Neutral for an instant? That is called "flare" or "breakaway" and it is a bad sign.
Yep it sure happens. I was wondering why/what it was, now I know

Does the transmission shift when you think it should? If it shifts way too early or way too late that is a bad sign.
As far as I can tell, its not shifting evenly at all. Sometimes it shifts early and sometimes late.

Does it downshift when you floor the accelerator? A delayed downshift (or none at all) is a bad sign.
Yes it does. Once again there is a delay.

Can you feel the shifts? You should, but they should not be made with an uncomfortable jolt.
Yes I can feel them, but no jolts unless i go WOT and it shifts at redline.

Drive at highway speed and test the O/D OFF button. Make sure it works.
Yes the O/D button works.

As for the tranny fluid, I'll check that and post back my results. Thanks DBM.

 

OH Ranj....

Man...thats my biggest fear with my car. You shouldn't have talked to me the other night, I think we jinxed her. Remember, "oh yea...tranny is fine so far". I'd get some Mobil ATF Synthetic(like a case) and bring it to Mike Barney. They charged me around 90 for a complete flush using THEIR fluid. It would be less if you supply it.

Mike S.

 

heh.. its ok man... i know i shouldnt have been bracket racing the way the car was, but since it was going to be the last time i'd probably go to the track, i just went for it. it ended up in a good way too, i won second in bracket racing that nite too! i knew something like this was going to happen sooner or later, but hell! thats what this hobby/obsession is all about. maybe i'll finally get a tranny swap in lieu of all these events! btw u shud check out the car again, got my body kit on and everything! i'll post pics soon.

 

oh no, my tanny fluid color is dark brown adn transparent, does that mean I need a flush bad?? it also smells kinda bad, and when I do N to D I have to wait abt 1 to 2 second before taking off or I'll just netural drop it, the car has 37000km, the first 25000km was driven very nicely, none above 4000rpm shift at all. Do I need a new tanny? warranty will be out this Oct

 

You haven't done 60,000 service?

 

You don't need a new tranny... yet. However, it is exhibiting some warning symptoms. Have you been racing? Full-throttle shifts are hard on the clutches. A fresh load of ATF is a good idea but don't imagine that will magically replace worn-away friction materials. It won't.

 

Level. It should be up to the full mark.
Yes its up to the full mark.

Color. It should be bright red and translucent. A brown or black color is a sign of fluid degraded by excessive heat, and/or worn friction materials. A milky pink "Pepto Bismol" color is a sign of water contamination.
Its a little brown, but the redness is still there. Translucency is still there.

Odor. It should have a clean oily smell. A burned odor is a sign of fluid degraded by excessive heat.
Has an oily smell.

Feel. Wipe the dipstick with your fingers and then rub your fingers together. It should be smooth and slippery. A "gritty" feeling is a sign of worn friction materials.
Its pretty smooth from what I can tell.

What could be the problem now? And what are the remedies if any? Thanks.

 

I do go WOT now, but not all the time, maybe three times a week, usually I shift around 3000

 

There is too little information to identify the problem. It could be ...
- low line pressure
- debris obstructing Shift Solenoid Valve A or B
- defective solenoid on Shift Solenoid Valve A or B
- worn friction materials

Remedies? If the probem is worn friction materials the damage is done and can't be undone. I suppose you could drive gently until the tranny dies and then get a rebuild. If you drive gently it might never die.