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Transmission Slips When Taking off Hard (How long do I have left)

indygrandprix

indygrandprix

New member
So the transmission on my car will sorta do a slip grab slip grab type thing when taking off moderately hard (1/2 throttle to 3/4 I don't notice it much if i do more than 3/4 or less than 1/2) And its only when taking off. 2nd and 3rd are fine. 4th has been gone for 60K miles now.

I rarely get on the gas really hard as I don't feel a stock grand prix is a racecar and there is no reason to abuse a 4 door family sedan.

So anyways about how long do I have before I'm gonna be pulling the tranny to replace it.

Its a 01 with a 3800 N/A
 
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It's all up to your foot and the parts that went into it back in 01. Your question is as rhetorical as why is water wet and why do women change their mind so much.

I'd start looking and do it before winter if you want to ensure you aren't working in the freezing cold.
 
Same issue here. 04 GT. It's only done it maybe 5 times but the trans oil temp has gotten over 200 twice on me. I'm going to change the fluid, filter and add some lucas and see how it goes.
 
How many miles? And does it only happen under heavy acceleration, or has it happened on light accelerations? 200° for a trans temp is very good for a stock setup.
 


If the other shifts are fine, then there's also the possibility of a bad PCS solenoid. My 05 shifts rock solid in all gears, but here and there it will slip into first. I can say for certain mine is PCS related because simply removing the battery terminal for a while (to reset shift pressures) makes it go away every single time, for weeks to months.

Try disconnecting your battery for a while and reconnecting it, and see if you notice any difference. At the least you can rule out the PCS. If it doesn't help, then it's most likely worn internals and will need a rebuild/replacement in the future.
 
Mine is nowhere near that bad as the video. Just every now and again when I hit the throttle from a stop It will feel like starting out on ice. Tire spinning for about 2 seconds then a light thunk and it goes. The tire doesn't actually spin of course that's just what It feels like.
Thanks for the responses so far. Didn't mean to hijack the thread, just seems we are having the same issue.
 
That's the input clutch piston, it's worn out. It's basically in neutral until you reach a certain rpm, then the increase in rpm's increase transmission fluid flow, finally engaging it. Our impala did it few times, and hasn't since.

This is a video of what it does when it gets really bad:

Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqwwYQkOewQ
 
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Good to know what the problem is. I am a bit handy with mechanics. I've replaced many parts on my vehicles over the years including engines and transmissions myself. But I've never rebuild any of them or got into the guts of a trans before. I got a really good deal on the car and I bet the guy knew the car did this. It only does it so rarely that It didn't happen on the test drive or when I drove it home. I'll have to start looking into how much for the parts and get some good diagrams etc. of the internals of the trans.
Thanks again
 


I don't think I'd have the confidence to go that far. I've replaced the 4th clutch hub in mine, that's as far as I'd go since I have no experience taking them apart completely. The guy who uploaded that video has a number of 4t65e videos, including one of him removing that and more parts, if you wanted to get an idea. He mentions there are a few things that can cause it but that is the most likely and is common.
 
It's actually not much further than where you were NavyBlue, although having some of the tools and know how....I'm swapping instead. Lately I've picked up a few Impalas to flip with this same issue. It's odd that it seems more common on the Imp's because they are all built the same. The seal is nearly impossible to see down in the clutch basket and overall it's no fun.

If you check car-part.com you might luck out as i did on a recent buy. $100 and the trans had a painted converter and the cleanest pan that I've ever seen. Pretty sure it was a fresh rebuild.
 
I'd like to get a 4t65e with issues and fix or rebuild it in my garage over the winter. That is if I could get one for cheap and get it to my house. That way I could really get to know everything inside, I'd buy the GM tech manual for it too. Plus if all goes well I'd have a backup.
And it does seem it happens on the impalas more so, all of the videos I could find were on them. It shouldn't matter though. I assume after you've done it a few times, you could pretty much do it blindfolded, just meaning you know where everything goes and what goes in next. For simple things like that, you could make good money, and you keep the cars on the road. They're not bad cars. I don't really find our impala too comfortable though. It has cloth seats. Mine does too but mine are softer, especially the back seat.
 
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