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Still having shifting issues, really need help.

S

scheuvront1993

New member
ok guys, I need some help here. I'm still having shifting issues. The last time I took it apart and put it back together It ran great for 2 days then started acting up like just like before. I will admit, I used a jug to save my old transmission fluid and when I pored it back in it was brown and runny.. I'm out of a job right now so I didn't have the money to buy new transmission fluid. The jug I used was brand new, new, never used. Not sure why it came out that color. I know that was bad for it but I've added about a quart of new transmission fluid plus about a fifth of a quart of lucas transmission stabilizer. I've changed the solenoid twice myself and have had it apart a total of times. Also I've been using Dex/mercinstead of Dex6 which I know is also bad. If I take it apart again, I will flush it and change the filter. If I reset the CEL it shift great for about 5 minuets. What should I do? Thanks for all the help in advance!
 


Which solenoid? What are the codes? Did you drop the pan and get a look at the magnet?

Had a relative throw a couple solenoid codes in his car. Turns out the torque converter puked and sent crud through the whole thing... Causing the valves to stick.
 
I apologize for the lack of information in that post. It is the TCC solenoid. I've replaced it twice and still having the same code. I have also replaced all of the other solenoids, and I've never had the bottom pan off.
 
I'm sure other, more experienced people will chime in, but my initial thought are:

1.) Wiring issue. Not likely, but I suppose it's possible there's a problem with the harness somewhere.
2.) Dirty (contaminated) fluid causing the valve to stick. Not a problem with the solenoid.

When you had the side cover off, did you happen to notice any black powder or goo sitting in the bottom of the case? Maybe looked a little like this:
DSC_0096_zpshzox8v27.jpg
 
BrandonHall10 said:
I'm sure other, more experienced people will chime in, but my initial thought are:

1.) Wiring issue. Not likely, but I suppose it's possible there's a problem with the harness somewhere.
2.) Dirty (contaminated) fluid causing the valve to stick. Not a problem with the solenoid.

When you had the side cover off, did you happen to notice any black powder or goo sitting in the bottom of the case? Maybe looked a little like this:
DSC_0096_zpshzox8v27.jpg
Click to expand...
I didn't really pay attention, I just cleaned it up, However I vaguely remember thinking something inside the pan looked a little off, but I didn't put much thought into it? What If I did? lol
 
I'm no tranny tech, that's for sure, but using the wrong fluid, dirty reused wrong fluid especially, certainly can't help. The oil is the life blood of the tranny. I would get new fluid in it before I went hunting tranny goblins. Did you at least strain the fluid before you put it back in?
 


Sounds like something has contaminated your fluid. That's likely the cause of your reoccurring code. The solenoid was/is a symptom, not the root problem. What that is, I can't say. But what I do know from a recent tear down is:

Black grit/sludge = cooked torque converter.
 
bandook said:
I'm no tranny tech, that's for sure, but using the wrong fluid, dirty reused wrong fluid especially, certainly can't help. The oil is the life blood of the tranny. I would get new fluid in it before I went hunting tranny goblins. Did you at least strain the fluid before you put it back in?
Click to expand...
..no on the strain, sadly. I'm going to flush it and change the filter very soon. Possibly tomorrow. Just wondering how do you flush out all 13.4 quarts, sorry for the dumb question
 
Hey there fellas, and possibly lady fellas. I haven't gotton around to changing the fluid yet sadly, however my problems have eased up slightly, the car isn't bucking as bad. I've noticed that if I clear the check engine light and get right on the interstate, my code stays cleared until I get back in stop and go traffic. I checked my fluid the other day and sadly it smelled burnt... I also wanted to get everyone's personal opinion. My car is a 2000 SE 3.1. Is it even worth putting money into? I'm not really afraid of the work and the engine in my car is great and car itself is in pretty decent shape.. compared to some of the others around here, pretty clean under the hood and underneath. The transmission is the worst of it but is it even worth trying to fix or possibly replace?
 
Have an 01' SE with over 220k on it (son drives it now), tranny rebuild around 120 from abuse, recent lim and front cover gasket job, still going strong! It all depends (worth), but rust is now its enemy! Engine puuurrrrrrrrs by the way!

and as for your situation, you'd shoulda replaced that fluid as recommended... Only asking for trouble!
 


I appreciate the input, like I said my car is fair, the engine is in great shape with low miles. The body has a large dent on driver fender and couple other small dents, not much rust at all. there are a couple of spots on the rockers that need some attended too but not bad. The interior is great other than the lip on the dash is warped.. right about the instrument panel, does anyone know how to fix that? also I have the problem with the passenger floorboard, being wet. But I know how to fix that.
 
Alright everyone, today I finally drained the fluid and swapped out the filter. So far no check engine lights or anything but I have not extensively tested it yet. Probably get around to that tomorrow. my pan was NASTY. The black sludge was god awful. The car recently had the filter changed before I got it and the mating surfaces were spotless, and the guy I got it from told me he just changed it when I bought it. That being said I'm assuming it has been changed in the last 6 months or so. So I'm assuming the amount of nasty build up I had is even worse since it has accumulated over only the last 6 months or so. The magnet was horrible, there was at very least 1/8 of an inch build up on the magnet. I wish I had taken a picture. It was terrible, lol. Also when I drained the fluid out of my catch pan, it was absolutly black... Blacker than my oil..
 
Well I drove the car to town and back today(I live 8 miles outside of town.. I literally live in the woods). At first it was fantastic, improved throttle response, absolutely no bucking. It shifted fantastic, ran just like it should... well that only lasted for about 3 miles, then the CEL came back on and even still it didn't do bad. I made a couple of stops in town and eventually the light went off for about 10 minuets and it shifted great again. On my way back home my CEL popped back up and I decided to take the car to my local NAPA but it's the smallest NAPA in the world.. it is literally the size of my living room, and they did not do the CEL check. I was avoiding my local Advance today.. lol. Anyhow it stayed on all the way home and gradually it got slightly worse. It is however still a lot better than it was before.. but still not fixed.. I'm probably just gonna milk it until I can afford to buy a new transmission.. or learn to rebuild this one, lol.
 
Also Brandon Hall, the picture you posted in the beginning of this thread... that's exactly what my transmission pan looked like.. but ALOT worse.
 


I'm not sure of the exact code, but it is the TCC solenoid Stuck on/open... or something like that. Let me explain a little better about my problem. At take off the car does great and If I don't let off it will shift through all gears. If i'm going through town in second gear I have issues.. It's like the car doesn't want to take throttle. I keep giving it more and more gas and nothing happens. I have to stomp on it for it to really get moving in second. All other gears seem to work fine.
 
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