Trans slipping after 2 weeks off the road

[someguy360]

Hi Guys.

Got a weird one for you.

My Auto trans has around 180,000-200,000km on it and was shifting perfectly as always (never redlined/driven excessively hard)

I took it off the road for 2 weeks and garaged it while I did a few small jobs (exhaust mounts, paint, detail, wheels rego etc) nothing mechanical though.


Now I got it re rego'd yesterday and went to take it for a drive last night and as soon as I get out onto my street it slips terribly from 1st to 2nd (just revved from 3-4000RPM then slid into 2nd)

ever since it has been getting progressively worse to the point that when I floored it tonight it just revved to the redline and sat there for around 3 seconds before jumping into 2nd.

Does anyone have any ideas on what could have caused this....the engine and trans weren't touched while the car was off the road.

The dipstick still says the trans is dead on full and the oil is still a good colour.

Would it be worth getting a trans specialist to check it out or should I just get a second hand box (can't really afford that after all the other stuff I have just done though)


Could it be something I could repair myself like a solenoid?

[mcroger]

Need to know wat year model of ur ride. Sounds like a solenoid or some chips cooked if it's a late model trans equips with computer shift. Otherwise u may need a set of new clutch. They r all inside the box, so u may need to get the box overhauled. Do not buy the second hand box, they r not so cheap plus u don't know when it will die again...good luck

[seq4x4]

Check your error codes for solenoid failure. Also its worth a shot, for $12, to put some transmission treatment in. Youll find it with the injector cleaner and shit. Seems to work abit better with that stuff.

[The_Doctor]

I would get a transmission specialist to have a look if it was me, OR have a smell of the trans fluid and see if it has a burnt smell, you could put a transmission service kit in it and generally when you put the kit in you drain the fluid, fill it with fresh fluid, run the car and then drain the fresh fluid before filling it again with fresh fluid. You would be looking about about $30 for a transmission service kit(gasket,filter,pickup) and probably another $40 for the fluids. It may not fix the problem though and maybe still need a mechanic to have a look.

[GTS69]

dont keep driving it your burning it out and killing it quicker it sound like loss of pressure a service could help but to do it all of a sudden while its been doing nothing sounds odd small chance some craps in the valve body and blocking pressure and got to harden or the likes while sitting not sure but would get it to a trans shop asap

[GTS69]

Woops double post

[someguy360]

Thanks guys.

For the ones asking what car it is its a 96 Series 1

I will do a service on it tonight and see how it goes (will also check for anything noticably wrong).....failing that I will take it to a trans shop.

There are no codes, so probably not a solenoid.


Just seems so odd that the trans was perfect, then after 2 weeks off the road it would just die

[James39]

Mine was slipping due to the trans filter slipping down into the pan.
I would avoid reving it when it slips like that, cooks the fluid then the box....

[someguy360]

Well gave it a full service tonight.

Went to take it for a drive and if I go full throttle off the line it will just bounce off the limiter until I release the accelerator.....only if I do that will it change into second.

Thinking maybe a solenoid?....failing that a loose band?

Its not showing any error codes but I suppose that doesn't completely rule out a bad solenoid

[seq4x4]

If you still havnt got it fixed before sat, when I get home I'll type up the testing procedures for the solenoids. That requires pan off again tho. I know my tcc and 2-1 solenoid is ####ed yet no error codes logged. Check your old filter and fluid for shit, if you have chucks in it, it may be a clutch..

[someguy360]

Ok. so its not bouncing off the limiter anymore which is good.

Its just slipping between 1st and 2nd at high revs (anywhere between 4000-5500)

It changes ok, not great but ok at low revs but high revs it slips pretty bad.

Sounds just like the bands need to be tightened/adjusted.....thoughts?

[BlackVXGTS]

Sounds like your trans could be on its way out. However, one thing you could try is replacing your TPS (Throttle Position Sensor). A faulty TPS doesn't always set a DTC and can cause delayed and harsh shifts, particularly the 1 -> 2 shift. Check out the instructions/diagram below:

[someguy360]

thanks, will see if i can pick one up from a wrecker tomorrow

[someguy360]

Sounds like your trans could be on its way out. However, one thing you could try is replacing your TPS (Throttle Position Sensor). A faulty TPS doesn't always set a DTC and can cause delayed and harsh shifts, particularly the 1 -> 2 shift. Check out the instructions/diagram below:

Sir next time you are in Adelaide I will buy you a beer.

You just saved me $500 (had a new trans booked in for next week)

Borrowed a mates TP sensor overnight, fixed the issue straight away.

Just on a side note, what is the sensor that sits ontop of the throttle body?

[seq4x4]

IAC. Your idle control.

[someguy360]

ok so new development.

Thought it was the TPS, replaced it and still having issues.


Its only slipping when shifting in and out of first.....usually at around 4000+ RPM

Someone suggested to me to unplug the TPS and take it for a spin and see if it shifts properly at 3500RPM....well it didn't it took until around 4000RPM with the TPS unplugged to shift up. so I guess that rules out the TPS/ECU

Trans fluid is still a healthy colour.

It shifts fine if I drive it gently and but if I floor it it slips.

anything else I can try before buying a new trans

[someguy360]

Would it be worth a shot changing the torque converter considering it seems to be slipping at higher RPM.

Would have thought if it was a dead auto it would slip all the time.


The torque converter would make sense as the problem only occurs if I go hard on the throttle and put the car under load.

If I drive it lightly it shifts perfectly