v6 auto stuck in first

[YILDI2]

hi i have a vr v6 auto
that has lately been getting stuck in first gear
usually when i first turn it on and go for a drive
it changes gears all sweet then after a minute or 2
gets stuck and drops to 1st gear once i stop at lights etc..
turn it on and off its back to normal then happens again

anyone have any ideas ?
this problem started happening after i tried to switch my ignition leads to top gun leads
currently back on the old ones that was working normally for a few days after taking the top guns off

thanks

[delcowizzid]

check for error codes could be shift solinoid in the box or tps or vss

[YILDI2]

thanks delco
i will first thing tomorrow

what is tps and vss ?

[TheIceman]

throttle position switch, vehicle speed sensor

[delcowizzid]

TPS is the throttle position sensor if it reads to high a voltage it will hold gears to a higher vehicle speed than normal so wont shift out of 1st same if the vss is reading wrong will hold gears.you turn off and on it resets tps closed voltage at closed throttle and probably does the same thing again confusing the ecu

[YILDI2]

TPS is the throttle position sensor if it reads to high a voltage it will hold gears to a higher vehicle speed than normal so wont shift out of 1st \

ye i noticed that if i rev it out it eventually changes gears but jumps into the next gear

[TheIceman]

maybe even a stuffed sticky solenoid in tranny. sounds familiar.

[Stugdum]

My bet is on the TPS, mine was doing the exact same thing about 3 months ago, changed the TPS and its been perfect ever since. Let me give you a word of warning though, there is a tiny little rubber part that almost always falls out if you try to change it with the throttle body on the car like I did. It is so tiny you wont even notice it fall out. Mine did and it was like I had never changed the TPS, in fact at first I thought I had bought a dodgy one from brand new, but on further investigation found that slippery little sucker had fallen out. I got down on my hands and knees and searched high and low and eventually found it in my driveway, not far from where I did the job.It is basically a little cap on the end of the rod that goes up into the throttle body. It is probably better to take the throttle body off, although it can be done with the throttle body in situ if you are aware of that little rubber gizmo, and keep an eye out for it. I have an LPG setup attached to the throttle body, making it a PITA to remove it, so I took the easy route, but if you dont have all that gas shit attached to it, I would suggest removing it to change the TPS just to be sure, that way you can give it a good clean with carby cleaner while you have it off. Hope this helps.

Stugdum

[TheIceman]

yeah it does sound like a TPS, like a 3 speed older ford falcon when the TV gets stuck.

[YILDI2]

thanks for all the input guys, im about to check my error codes as i cant wait till the morning

Stugdum, i used to have a LPG set up before i rebuilt my engine, so mayb im having the same problem as you and the TPS or rubber thing has fallen out
and also how much does a TPS cost these days

thanks guys

[YILDI2]

i tried checking my codes for an hr but i was unable to get any codes
even though i followed the procedures
bridged 5-6, my fan goes on engine light only goes on once and thats immediately after turning the key ( so lights come on ) after that i waited 5- 10 mins nothing came up i tried it a couple of times

since everyone favors the TPS ill see what my mechanic says tommorow

[YILDI2]

hi guys
my myechanic told me to take it to a auto place and let them see what the problem is
i said it may be the TPS he said it could be but still insisted i go to a auto mechanic
since i cant read error codes i dont know wat to do ?
i dont to end up replacing a couple things when the problem is probably just one of them

[The1]

here's the error code procedure if your not sure
Checking error codes VR/VS (Revised)

If you can get to holden i would still try a tps as it would be cheaper than getting an auto mechanic to even look at the box, generally if the box is going it's the solenoids which you will still have other gears left, but anythings possible.

[YILDI2]

thanks The1

im aware of the procedure it just isnt happening in my vr
ive seen that other people have had the same problem as i have , i bridge 5-6 fan works once i turn it on so dats a sign but engine lamp only flashes once and thats after i turn the key never again
so i cant see what error codes i have which is really pissing me off since i would atleast have a good idea what the problem is if i was to be able to see the error codes

ye i might just go with changing the TPS how much do they cost ?

[The1]

that's strange about the error codes, tried reseting the ecu? pull the engine fuse in the engine bay for 15mins i think the tps was less than $50 when i bought one.

[YILDI2]

i pulled the wires off the battery for 15 mins isnt it the same as pulling the fuse out ?

thanks for your input The1

[YILDI2]

called up my local wreckers and he said he'll do a TPS for $40
is it hard to change ? ill see if theres a how to somewhere lets use know if it fixes the problem tomorrow if not it'll leave me with VSS and shift solenoid

[gr8shag]

check for error codes could be shift solinoid in the box or tps or vss

yer the shift solinoids dont like heat much

[The1]

[sjmcc]

If it's transmission, any number of problems including clutches and solenoids could be rooted. Not too much fun in terms of replacing either.

[YILDI2]

my transmission is a reco thats only done 15,000kms so im going to leave it to last
and hope that its not rooted

The1 thanks for the diagram
by looking at the diagram just to be sure i only have to take out the 2 screws and washers to pull off the tps and adapter ?

really thanks guys for all the help this problem has been bugging me i cant go on with my normal life lol its just constantly stuck on my head

[YILDI2]

ok i got the fualt codes
45, 22, 81
Low voltage TPS
Oxygen sensor rich
Shift solenoid fualt

i still reckon its electrical and im bout to put on a whole throttle body from wreckers with the TPS on it see if it makes a difference
hopefully its just the TPS

[The1]

yep try the tps first, then pull the engine fuse or battery terminal off for a few minutes to clear the codes then go for a drive and check the codes again. Shift solenoids arn't real hard just a pain the arse, sometimes easier to get a auto mob to change them over.

[slayer208]

If you had a ALDL to ODBII connector that'd be damn handy with a laptop/notebook, so you can diagnose your electrical faults real easy. I've done that and it'd save me so much hassles "that's if I ever get any errors "touch wood!". THe connectors with the basic software cost around $150 on ebay, and they're a great investment. Also, there's people on here who could probably make you one a lot cheaper. THat's if they're still around.

Regards!

[YILDI2]

thanks for all the help guys i think i finally found the problem
it was the TPS i put in a another throttle body from my wreckers for $30 with the tps and iac and all that on it with a near brand new gasket
i went to take mine off and i realised it had some sort of silicone going round the whole side of the throttle body that connects to the engine had to get it off with a screw driver and hammer, to see
the gasket there was burnt and stuck on the sides of the throttle body, was amazed to see how much of a dodgy job the owner before me ( im guessing ) had done
but ive been driving round since yesterday and all is fine hasnt f*^$ up once

slayer 208 id love to know if i can get a deal on them connector things
there pretty fast and handy, since i cant do it the normal way like everyone else unfortunately ill need one in the furture