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Intermittent Max Adapt Hard Shift

Chadgervais

Chadgervais

Former GP Owner
Greetings,

2004 GT2 with 230k, original engine and trans. Good looking and smelling fluid.

Every so often, especially when its warm out and I've been in city driving for a while, I get Max Adapt. This does not happen every time and there is no way to see it coming, no slippage or anything. From what I've read, MA happens when the transmission takes more than 0.65 seconds to complete a shift, assumes slippage, and increases line pressure.

I've read several potential causes online, most commonly, TP solenoid, and slippage from worn parts. I know its hard on the transmission to allow it to keep shifting like this, so when it happens i pull over and shut it off for a few seconds and it goes away, for sometimes weeks or months.

I know a guy locally with an '05 with 265k. His has been doing it since 200k with no ill effect. I'm just wondering, where money is tight if this is something I can let go for a while?

Thanks
 


Often a low cost fix is to toss in a trango shift kit (only the part that goes into the accumulator), and a bottle of Lucas stop slip. This combo seems to help seals a little while also making the shift happen sooner with the shimmed accumulator springs. Typically bringing the shift time down and keeping the fault from occurring.
 
Is that something I can do myself? My auto tech skills are very limited, the only mechanical thing I've done myself is replace the thermostat.
 
If you got a transmission filter kit and the shift kit along with 8 quarts of fluid. I think you could.

Put the car on jackstands or ramps.
Using a big catch pan, remove the 20 bolts (10mm) holding the pan up. (look for a better write up on this btw..cause I'm just brushing it)
Remove the accumulator by pulling out 5 bolts (8mm)
Take cover off accumulator (more 8mm)
Add the springs/shims per the directions
Reinstall, change the filter, put the pan back on
Add five quarts of trans fluid, the lucas and start the car.
Check the level/fill until you are confident it's right at the top mark of the dipstick. This may be easier if you wait 30 minutes or so after adding the Lucas. That stuff takes a while to get off the walls of the dipstick tube.
 
I second that^

I was having the same issue. Two pan drops and filter changes (I went with Dex VI), along with a Trans go shift kit, and I've now been about 6 months free of max adapt :D Plus the shifts are so much quicker and firmer, best thing I ever did transmission wise.
 


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