I recently started getting shifting problems in the car, slipping between gears, the maxima has 165k. Pulled the codes and got a bunch related to improper shifting so I went ahead and decided to get a new solenoid pack and might as well give the transgo valve body upgrade a swirl. I verified that the old solenoid pack was faulty with the impedance and switching check. So giving the car a drive the shifts from 1-2 are good and crisp, but then things get weird.

Under WOT the shifting from 1 to 2 is strong and good. If I accelerate lightly it shifts to 1 then to 2 at around 15mph then a little bit later around 20mph it drops to 1 with ~3k rpm. Holding the throttle at the same amount it doesnt shift back to 2 unless I apply more throttle and get to around 30mph and let off...then it will up shift to 2nd. The same type of thing happens on the highway where its searching for the right gear. I can get up to 60mph and it holds 3 and sometimes shifts down with constant acceleration.

I checked the transmission fluid, looks good...searched some more on the internet, thought it could be the TPS...checked impedance, looks good...checked the codes, nothing but a knock sensor coming up. I dont think i messed up anything big with the change to solenoid pack change and VB mod because it still inhibiting similar problems before the mod.

Any ideas?

 

bump...anybody?

 

Get a transgo shift kit. That should fix the problem. Also it could be one of the solenoids, maybe the solenoid that you're using could be a faulty one, it happens. But I say do the shift kit, it should fix the problem.

 

Yup already changed out the solenoid pack and did the valve body upgrade.

I ran some more tests and the TPS is looking good, nice and linear from 3%-89% when depressing. The VSS looks good and matches the speedo. I am really thinking its the Revoultion sensor or TCM...I guess ill pull the RSS and ohm it out and see how the car runs without it.

 

Well I put in a new RSS and nothing has changed. I performed the TCM diagonostics and it still shows a problem with the RSS. I did notice that when I tried to start it up with the connector disconnected that the TCM told me that that there was a problem with the RSS.

My question is that shouldn't this flag the MIL check light if the TCM is reporting an RSS error? Do you guys think the TCM was gone off to the weeds?

 

if the RSS is slow i dont think you would get a code just drivability issues.

im thinking you may need a tcm but... i dirty maf will cause your max to shift all stupid. if you knock sensor has an issue replace it i dont think it owuld cause your issue but it makes your car slower

clean the maf first

 

sorry homie you failed at reading

 

Check the wires communicating the ECM, TCM, RSS, and TPS. In the 1998 FSM you'll find the wiring diagram on page AT-12. Sounds like you already tried everything else.

Last spring I modified my VB with the transgo shift kit and threw in new solenoids also.

 

I hooked up a meter to the TCU input of the RSS and I am seeing the voltage vary with speed in the car. Looks like the sensor and harness are good to the TCM. Checked the ECU again and pulled a P0600, looks like the TCU is getting wonky.

Going to ebay a TCU and slap it in, will let you guys know what becomes of it.

 

P0600 may be your gauge malfunctioning. I would temporarily swap out one and see what happens.

 

torque converter forsure..mine was going that about 1900 miles ago...i just bought a used tranny and torque conveter for 250 bucks and stoped it...even tho the torque converter is lil tricky with them bolts thru the flywheel but...i changed everything u could think of so i went and bought another one..make sure the trannys around 100-145 k or ur wasting your money and get one from 95-97 seems mine is faster with these trannys idk why but this is my 3rd tranny but i do more with my car then any of ya probley would do with yas...make sure u clean the housing where it bolts to the motor and tranny with some fine sand paper and around the starter housing if u dont u might loose ur ground which is a pain in the butt had to find out the hard way..i can take mine out and put in with hand wrenchs only in about 6 hours 3 out 3 in and go lol

 

I slapped in a new TCU and it stopped pulling codes...thats the good news. Bad news is it slips like a **** trying to shift in 3rd. Thinking your right, might have to venture down this avenue. Never pulled a tranny out before, can you give some tips from your experience on where the best place to get one, inspection of a tranny, removal, etc, etc...any help would be much appreciated to get the maxi going again.