auto transmission question, please.

[Ron41]

When your auto trans starts to give in, what is the normal pattern of behavior ?
I have been told that once they start to show signs of that convertor lockup in 4th gear and shudder at 80 klm's , they get progressively worse, they leave slip codes and then go into limb mode and will leave you stranded somewhere one day, especially in the summer months.

The reason I ask is because mine car has done that shudder thing about 4 times in last 6 months but it doesn't leave any fault codes and only seems to do it after a long trip, some say its the auto and others say it is a ignition miss, so I am trying to work out which it is.

Everything checks out fine ignition wise but about a month ago I changed my plugs to the new boshe platinum tipped ones for lpg cars & the gap is smaller now [ 1.1mm] , I have done a few long trips since, on pretty hot days and it hasn't done that shudder thing once.

thanks
Rony

[dan202]

never heard one shudder sometimes the gears go funny like reverse is drive and neutral goes forward and u can start it in any gear if that happens your in trouble. to fix it u take the battery terminal off for 10 seconds and put it back on once this happens its a ticking time bomb ive seen 2 autos in the last six months that done this

[Ron41]

Thanks Dan, apparently the shudder is very common on the 4L60E boxes, some valve in the valve body wears out & needs to be reemed out and sleeved, especially when car gets over the 200 k mark, it shows no other sings like you mentioned though.
Thanks mate.

[Ron41]

Anyone else have had their transmission go on them ?

[timmysvs11]

I'm driving a vs, about 2 months ago just after it clicked over the 200.000km mark my trans began to slip and have no drive, only when cold, once warm didnt seem to be as bad, after droping the trans oil pan i found the filter sitting in the bottom of the pan, i got a new filter and banged it in, have had no problems ever since

[Ron41]

That turned out great mate, glad it was a cheap and easy fix for you.

[hako]

G'Day Rony, Mine failed about 2 years ago in the most common way with a sheared sunshell.....all you get is a click going uphill, then the engine light comes on and it goes into limp home mode then it starts making noises in reverse and then you "nothing". This is the most common fail in 4L60E transmissions.
From what you say about your problem, I'd say it probably has one of the coils throwing a bit weaker spark than normal 'sometimes'.....probably when it gets hot internally. Fitting the new plugs has probably made up for a less than 100% coil.
I hope you're on a winner....Good Luck.

[Ron41]

Hi hako, they are the original coils still in there, they check out ok with my multimeter but I believe they still can be faulty even so.
I am planning to do some interstate trips in a couple of months time, so I want the car to be ok for that, the trans oil is a nice red colour, doesn't make any sounds or do any other weird things, keeping my fingers crossed that it is an ignition thing, time will tell.
thanks mate

[hako]

Yes, I think our cars are reaching that point where things will be failing more often - in the last month I've replaced the windscreen, radiator and now I notice the odometer has stopped 'odometering'. Also found some fluid leaking slowly from the rack and the rear main engine seal is starting to weep (all original). At least Commodores are cheap to fix - the windsceen was insurance job, rad was $110 and the speedo cog was $11.99. I try to stop the leaks with "stop leak" first. Might need a rabbit's foot as well as keeping my fingers crossed like you. Regards.