VR Auto woes, please help.

[Stugdum]

G'day all,
I'm new here, so HI!! Anyway I have a problem with my VR ute's auto. It has an intermittent problem which I think is Limp Home Mode but not sure, as limp home mode makes your car take off in third and stay there from what I can gather, and that not exactly what mine is doing. What mine does is, when you put it into drive, it snaps in so harshly that if you dont have your foot on the brake it would give you whiplash! And then twhen you are driving, there is a loud whining noise from the trans, and It revs right out in each gear till I think the engine will pop a valve or something(not quite, but it seems like it sometimes!(LOL))and changes VERY harshly ,it seems to sit in third no matter what the revs until you do over about 100. When you finally get it into top gear it seems to cruise along fine. It doesnt do this all the time, and when it is going good all shifting is perfect, which leads me to think it is an electrical signal issue. Sometimes turning it off for a minute will fix it but not always. It is a damn nuisance and is driving me nuts!!! Can someone please give me some ideas of what to look for.Thanks.

Stugdum

[Brett_jjj]

Hi,check for any error codes,see if anything shows up Checking error codes VR/VS (Revised) Id also be checking the wiring,check the connector plugs and the part of the loom that runs to the trans.See if theres any broken,melted or chaffed wiring.Let us know if you get any error codes,or whatever else you find.You also can try disconnecting the battery terminal for 5 minutes to reset the ECU, this will also clear any errors that are logged.

[Stugdum]

Hi Brett,
Well bugger me, I must have a strange car! I went to the link, read it, and went out to check my codes, but when I bridged out pins 5 and 6 and turned on the ignition, the engine warning light didnt come on, all that happened was that the radiator fan came on and stayed on, and when I pulled the paper clip out the fan stopped. WTF!! Now how do I check my GD codes?!!!

Stugdum

[HSV472]

sounds like the auto really needs a service
when was the last time you serviced it?

[Wombles]

A service to a transmission doesnt really do everything you want it too.
How many k's has the car done?
Could possibly need a new tranny.

[hako]

Sounds like the previous owner has screwed up the line pressure in an attempt to get a few more miles out of it....or it has a shift kit badly fitted.
I'd do what Brett says re codes.....also have a look at this site and see if any of the problems are the same as yours. Good Luck.
4l60e Problems and Solutions - S-10 Forum

[Brett_jjj]

Maybe the check engine light bulb in the dash is blown,Im pretty sure the fan is supposed to come on for VR's when the terminals are bridged.Does the check engine dash light come on when the ignition key is turned to the on position normally?It should light up until the engine is started,then it should go out.Also some people,instead of getting the problem fixed,remove the bulb or cover it with black tape when the check engine light comes on to indicate a problem

[Paiste402]

yea the fan is supposed to come on so that seems to be working. with the age of these cars a blown check engine light wouldnt be unrealistic.