VN Automatic transmission

[llama]

Hi all

Was just hoping to have some idea of what's going and what to expect before taking my VN to a mechanic...

When it's cold it doesn't like to 'click' into gear. I put it in Drive (or Reverse, reverse is worse) and when I hit the accelerator it just revs, as though it's in neutral, after about 30seconds-1min (worse in reverse, have to wait up to 3minutes) you can feel it kick in as the car shudders a little and than I can drive.

It also then has a problem changing from 2nd to 3rd, I will get up near 60kmph and it won’t change gears again after less than 2km of driving it will change and everything will be fine.

When the car is warm I get no problems at all.

So if the automatic transmission is beyond hope.. is it worth getting replaced? a few people have told me not to bother and that I’m better off getting a whole new car.


Thanks in advance
- llama

 

[lazza44]

I have a very similar problem. An auto specialist told me hard seals was the problem but im not convinced. This is because when i click it to drive or overdrive when cold it takes up to 1min; however when I click it to 1st or 2nd it goes into gear straight away. Have you tried doing this?
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Does anyone have some reasoning behind this?
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[minux]

tried a fluid change etc?

If not don't despair, you can pick up reco changeover's for around $500, which isnt to bad. However, if you have a mr's and she wont let you get a new car, explain to her it will cost around $5000 to have t fixed, could get you your new car

 

[llama]

overdrive does work quicker than normal drive

havn't tried 1st/2nd

so roughly $500 (including fitting it?)

 

[astrogen]

My car did that and I found the transmission oil was low, put more in and everything is fine now.
Best to check transmission dipstick after you've taken it for 10km plus drive.

 

[jules]

I have a very similar problem. An auto specialist told me hard seals was the problem but im not convinced. This is because when i click it to drive or overdrive when cold it takes up to 1min; however when I click it to 1st or 2nd it goes into gear straight away. Have you tried doing this?
...........................................................................................................
Does anyone have some reasoning behind this?
...........................................................................................................

yeah there are different actuators when you apply 1st Manually than Drive. so they will behave differently even tho you're in the same gear.

the delay to receive drive is supposedly a pretty common problem pointing to worn seals, which come good (soften) with heat.

if it is seals you will need surgery.

 

[90VN55]

mine wouldnt change from 1st to 2nd all you have to do is adjust the kickdown cable and it was fine
but after i did that it wouldnt go into gear like you said 30 seconds later it would so adjusted kickdown cable again and it goes in no worries.
but i dont know how she drives now(changing 1st to 2nd) cause i dont have my P's so it cant be taken for a drive until my dad feels like it

 

[90VN55]

oh yea heres the link to where it tells you how to adjust it http://forums.justcommodores.com.au/showthread.php?t=32014&highlight=hard+shift+1st
its in there somewhere
and check your tranny fluids it could be that

 

[mitchstar]

Hey Buddy, can you direct me to where i can pick up a $500 reco trans, need one asap cheers Mitch

 

[holden007]

I reckon its not worth selling the car for trans, because if you go buy another VN Commodore for example, you will never know when the transmission might blow on that. If your going to upgrade the car to a newer version its a different story.

My trans is gone on the VR, $1800 for recon, $500 is pretty good for second hand aswell. Cheapest I found was $770.