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shifting issues '97 GT

M

m1sterb0b

New member
Okay, so I'm having some shifting issues that I'm reluctant to shout "wolf" at just yet. I'm thinking the issue has something to do with the kick down cable (if they still use a cable). Let me describe the issue and maybe someone has ran into this or heard of a solution.

I can be driving, my speedometer will read 45 - 60 and I'll be driving on a straight flat road. (I say 45 - 60 because that's where I've experienced it mainly). I'll be keeping a constant speed, I try not to use cruise all the time, and if I let off slightly really quick then push down a little, the car will shoot up about 500 rpm, stay there sometimes for quite some time and then it will even back off. Normally at about 45 - 50 I'm holding about 1500 - 1700 rpm's and then at 55 - 60 its about 1900 - 1999 (it stays usually below the 2000 mark). anything above 60 and the rpm's increase above 2000, then at about 65 - 70 their at 2500 - 2700. anyways, while holding on the gas it will shoot up about 500 rpms so it will go from like 1500 - 2000 and sometimes it will shoot up a whole 1000 rpms, and I'm not pushing on the gas to speed up, just letting off a little and pushing down some, not even to slow down 1 mph. then after a little bit, the car feels like its shifting back into over drive, if it kicks up 500 then it feels like it shifts once, then if it goes up 1000 rpm it feels like it shifts 2 times, the last time is a tad bit rough. also I've noticed that if I put the speed right below 60 and put on the cruise, that it has a hard time getting up hills, it wont kick down and will actually slightly slow down, then I have to push on the gas, get it to kick down, then I can release the gas and it will shift just fine.

The reason I started noticing this is because I've started getting worse gas mileage. I normally like driving 65 to school (gets me there quicker and its more fun lol), and I've been getting 20 mpg because the rpm's are higher, the last 3.8 I drove (Bonneville) didn't have that problem. rpm's stayed down to 2000 until I got above 70mph. but with this car when at 65 the rpms are probably like 2100 - 2200. I slowed down to about 58 - 59 (not as much fun) and I'm getting 25 mpg. Any ideas (other than not being a led foot so much). I want to say that its a solenoid on the tranny that I've heard some people mentioning but not sure. I don't want to "cry wolf" and say that over drive is going out, especially seeing as I don't have time, money, or passion, right not to fix it. I'd like this car to at least get me through the summer, then I'm planning on joining the air force and then after that, I'll have money to do all sorts of work on my car.
 


hate too say but sounds like 4th gear is goin out take it to a tranz shop they shouldnt charge you anything to check it
 
How does it know when to kick the gear down once or twice? Because I can be driving then all of a sudden it will shift down (usually if I hit a hill) then it will shift back up when I get onto a flat road. I am noticing that it shifts doesn't shift fully into 4th when Its cold, it has a real hard time, and usually going 45 the rpms will be 2500 then finally after it warms up, it will shift well enough to go down to about 1500 *(it feels as if it shifts twice when that happens).

I'm planning on joining the air force after summer so I just need this thing to last about another year (if they have a waiting list and all)
 
its a all computerised trans no cables could be a solenoid goin bad, try changing the fluid and filter mite help it , how many miles on it?
 


It just got up to 130,000

And I don't drive it that rough, I'll pass some people and push it down a little hard sometimes, but I rarely race people off the line, and I do like going fast, but "fast" in my terms is 70 - 80.
 
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all these trannnys have had problems since day 1 im learning, baby it and do a filter and 8qts trans fluid it mite help ya for awhile or take it to a trans shop and have umm check it out and see what they say they dont charge to check it out :th_thumbsup-wink:
 
Well thank you. I was getting kind of frustrated that nobody seemed to know or post anything, so now I have something to go by and see from there, so yea, thanks!
 
if it comes down to it and the tranny needs replacing or rebuilding, I plan on rebuilding it if Ihave the time/money. Any idea where I can get a good quality rebuild kit, any idea how hard it is, and how long it takes to rebuild one? Also are there any good walk throughs online that you know of?
 


trans shops caN usally have it done in a day or 2 i wouldnt recomend you rebuilding it urself im ase certified mechanic 12yrs. and thats one thing i will not touch is tranz rebuilds to much of a headache
 
you have an awful transmission to begin with. the 4t60e is complete garbage. if youre going to get a new transmission, make sure you upgrade to a 4t65e. it will take a little bit of effort, but it is very much worth it. the 97 SE and GT are the only ones with that transmission, so you lucked out by buying one.
 
>_< I thought I did have the 4t65e. Whats the difference? Also is it possible to put a GTP engine/tranny in my body or would it make more sense to just buy the GTP lol.
 
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