Transmission jolting

[Patrio7]

Hello all I'll be a little formal on this issue,

Problem -

At ~80km/h when you accelerate lightly to go to say 100km/h, the transmission will normal kick down to third, normal.

However on my '96 S1 VS Exec, it use to make a noise I could only describe as rubbing or ginding, considering my car has done 230,000+km's I figured it was just wear and tear showing it's age. [ My car was originally a marked police car and then it belonged to some farmers ]

But today as I drove and went to speed up a little the car seemed to jolt about two or three times before the gears changed down, this only happened at around 80km/h and it didnt have any issues cruising or when idling so I ruled out engine troubles.

I figure the 4->3 ....ummm... changer... [ Solenoid? ] may be within an inch of its life but I was wondering if anyone knew any sure fire ways to comfirm this. I am yet to do a computer diag check and being between jobs I'm hesitant to take it to a transmission place.

The fluid level wass fine and I serviced the transmission last month or so [ filter sump gasket and fluid ]

So to recap, I think its the downshift solenoid but I was wondering if anyone has other idea's?

Thankyou in advance for your time.

[andrewmac]

My car also has this problem and it only has 180000ks on it.
Im not sure if this is a related problem but when i go round a corner without coming to a complete stop or slowing right down the tranny doesnt go back to second then when i go round the corner it has to droop back and the kickdown is really unpleasant. Have you had this problem aswell or just the
80Km/h groaning sound ?

[Patrio7]

just the groaning initially, as stated its not groaning but jolting

Haven't had any turning issues [ apart from some nasty understeer latley but i think thats relating to the fact I've got crap tires and really loose suspension.

[andrewmac]

Its not really the turning that does it it is more the slowing down then speeding up again.
But the groaning thing is common from what i have seen and does get a bit annoying im thinking of jus getting a new or reconditioned transmission if i cant get it fixed but i might go to a tras place tommorow and see what they say bout it.

[VSIIBerlinaL67]

torque convertor maybe

[Patrio7]

hmm I suppose I can't rule that out, though it feels more from the back [ diff area ] but I figured thats just feedback from the transmission. Tricky.

[VSIIBerlinaL67]

yer it could, cause it locks up around that speed, its probley not unlocking fully or its having trouble, check error codes if you havnt already

[gregaust]

Any updates???? I was in a friends VS today,similar thing. 100km/h and light load / acceleration at that speed,jolting/thumping sounds like from rear. Gearbox oil is full and looks good,not burnt.

[bucketeer]

I'm experiencing a similar problem, it's worst at around 80ks, hot, going up an incline, with the cruise control on.
Sometimes it happen s on the flat at around 100ks not as severe, it feels like the engine cuts out , but I'm fairly sure it's the transmission.
I've got a weird fault code up that's been there since I bought the car 2 years ago it's 110 which shouldn't exist (i've posted else where on this forum with no clues)

[hako]

Maybe its the electronic lockup disengaging at 8okph that causes the thumping. The way I figure it (and I'm probably wrong), when cruising at above 80kph, the torque converter is locked solid so there is no slip at all. Touch the pedal slightly to accelerate and the torque converter unlocks but you still stay in 4th gear until you press the pedal more and it slips back to 3rd. According to the manual, the torque converter lockup can/will engage at any speed above 85kph when in 3rd or overdrive (4th).
So I'd figure most of these problems have something to do with the device that electronically locks the torque converter solid and the actual thump/grind is from this device engaging/dis-engaging.

Another interesting thing is that depending on how you look at it, the 4L60E has 6 gear ratios = 1st 2nd 3rd 3rd overdrive 4th 4th overdrive.

[bucketeer]

Thanks Hako,
Your thoughts are the same as my suspicions, I have no idea how to confirm this though, the taco does not seem to change at all when it happens or it may be that it happens so quick that that the taco doesn't have time to respond..............and if this is the problem is it electrical (solenoid) elecronic (ECU) or mechanical (valve ?) causing the problem.
I fear that if I take it someone to look at I'll just end up with a bill for time & maybe someone wild arse guess as what parts to change without actually solving the problem......

[ephect]

I was having the same problems, shuddering at 80kms, booked it in for a check, and the problem was 3/4 clutch was burnt out, and convertor was stuffed, locking and unlocking. Decided to reco it be on the safe side with corvette servo, and its now sweet as, tight shifts, no shuddering.. could've just repaired the 3/4 clutch and convertor for 700 odd, but for 1400, and 2years warranty, couldnt go wrong..

Just watch where u take it, as i'd had it done previously 2 times in the past 4years, (same place) and the same prob occured, the bastards that did it, just put in a harder/longer spring in the valve body to trick the auto to shift tighter and didnt replace bother replacing the convertor.. They didnt reco it properly in the first place..

[hako]

Thanks Hako,
Your thoughts are the same as my suspicions, I have no idea how to confirm this though, the taco does not seem to change at all when it happens or it may be that it happens so quick that that the taco doesn't have time to respond..............and if this is the problem is it electrical (solenoid) elecronic (ECU) or mechanical (valve ?) causing the problem.
I fear that if I take it someone to look at I'll just end up with a bill for time & maybe someone wild arse guess as what parts to change without actually solving the problem......

Every time I've had transmission problems and I've gone to the trans specialists they always recommend a exchange reconditioned transmission for about $2000.
You feel completely at their mercy and the buggers know it!!!
If you had plenty of time and the right facilities you could pull it apart and put an "overhaul" kit thru it which I suspect is more than is done to most exchange recondioned transmissions.
The bit that bugs me is that along with the $2000 upfront, the guarantee stipulates that every 12 months you get a full service on the auto...at $200 a throw. So for 3 years it really costs $2600 which is probably half what the car is worth.
If/when my auto plays up I think I'll seriously check out buying a secondhand one from a car that was in a prang and is being wrecked...either privately or thru a wrecker and I will want to view the wreck to try and get an indication as to the condition of the trans. Probably also swap them over myself. Maybe even change to a 5 speed but with all the hassle that might involve it may be easier to buy another car (and go through it all again!)
No auto trans codes showing?

[immortality]

get the tranny serviced by someone who can actually reverse flush the transmision. the hook it up to a machine and it cycles cleaning fluid trough it including all the cooling lines, converter etc costs couple hundred maybe but it's worth it. tranny always smooth as afterwards... you notice the difference. the shudder definitly sounds like the converter locking/unlocking when pressing the accelerator

[ruredi]

I'm experiencing a similar problem, it's worst at around 80ks, hot, going up an incline, with the cruise control on.
Sometimes it happen s on the flat at around 100ks not as severe, it feels like the engine cuts out , but I'm fairly sure it's the transmission.
I've got a weird fault code up that's been there since I bought the car 2 years ago it's 110 which shouldn't exist (i've posted else where on this forum with no clues)

FINALLY! OMG DUDE! your a legend...lol. sorry got a bit carried away. I had this problem for ages and I posted on here so many times asking whats wrong but I could never explain it how you did...I always explained it as the engine making a noise or the feeling of air under the pedal. lol. What I should have said was it feels like the engine cut out...lol which is exactly what it feels like. omg im so relieved someone else has a similar problem. anyway since ive changed everything on the fricken thing anyway except looking at the trans...I kinda figured it was that anyway because there is nothing left. Anyway...I've been wanting to get my transmission serviced for ages but there are a few questions I just wanted to ask you guys before going ahead...

What exactly is invloved in a basic transmission service and what is it worth? Are any parts replaced other than the filter and changing of oil? I remember a whole back reading something about tightening of bands? anyway like someone mentioned before...would it be better to Buy a "B&M Transpak Kit" or a "TransGo Stage 2 Shift" or something like that...like these two...

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Commodore-Aut...QQcmdZViewItem

and just get that put in? Which is better out of the two? is this better than getting it serviced...basically is it more than what is done in a service and how good are they? Do they make your trans stronger? Is this like some sort of shift Kit? Stage 1 or 2? are these things any good? Because I can pick one up pretty cheap and I can get it fitted for nothing but just out of curiosity...how much would it be to get this fitted? Cheers, Guys...hope you can all clear this up for me because Ive been wanting to do this for ages...its ****ing annoying.

Joe,

[ruredi]

Okay, had a tranny service the other day. Problem solved. Kicks into gear harder and with a lot more definition, acceleration vastly improved, and also regained some top end torque. Umm they actually do quite a fair bit, change over oils check and re-tighten bands and stuff...I can't remember exactly what was on the list of things...but i'd say there were a good 10-12 items that they either check or replace. Set me back $95 for the tranny service, but make sure u shop around...I got various quotes between $120 all the way up to $185!!! And then i tried this place and they quoted $95, so i was laughing at the end of it all .

Cheers,
Boojakz.

heres that post I was talking about...

[ruredi]

anyone got any input on this...? Would be greatly appreaciated!

Cheers, Joe

[hako]

Well.....Boojak87 got more for his money than I've ever seen so he must be pretty lucky. Generally speaking, for $95 you will get only a pan drop, filter,gasket and oil....nothing else. You would have to find out from Boojak87 what the items were that were replaced and how they adjusted the bands as normally they are not adjustable (at least not without a full teardown of the transmission).
Be very careful when dealing with transmission servicing as there are plenty of cowboys out there ready to talk you out of your cash. I don't have the answer as to how to find one you can trust - you need to ask around. For good service you must expect to pay good dollars.
Of course you could always do a filter/oil/gasket change yourself for under $50 and know its done properly.

[ruredi]

would a pan filter and gasket fix my problem or give me any difference at all?

[Patrio7]

would a pan filter and gasket fix my problem or give me any difference at all?

wow blast from the past, my own thread lol

im getting the stuttering around 90+ and still the groasing at 80, havent tried fault codes since ages ago ( always groaned, got 12 when i was playing with the tests )

might have to run a check tomorrow morning.

but yeah back to the reason i hit quote,

Yes it does make it feel a little better but note that with a simple oil drop, as someone pointed out to me, your only really replacing half the fluid ( tourque converter holding the rest ) but again, it does improve the feel a little.

lately im just driving in 3rd below 80, in 80zones i just do 70 and if its a 90+ i'll click into 4th. bit of a crude way to get around the issue but it works lol

might have to ring some auto tranny repair shops and see what they can do me for prices.

[bucketeer]

would a pan filter and gasket fix my problem or give me any difference at all?

I dropped my pan mainly to see if there was any evidence of friction material clogging things up, but all was pretty clean & it made no difference to the way it behaved, but it did give me a little piece of mind that things wouldn't just die in a heap

[bucketeer]

I'm experiencing a similar problem, it's worst at around 80ks, hot, going up an incline, with the cruise control on.
Sometimes it happen s on the flat at around 100ks not as severe, it feels like the engine cuts out , but I'm fairly sure it's the transmission.
I've got a weird fault code up that's been there since I bought the car 2 years ago it's 110 which shouldn't exist (i've posted else where on this forum with no clues)

Just for the sake of prosterity (hope I spelt that right), and posibly to help someione trawling through ttheads for an answer like me..

TaDa..... I found a fix....and it was.......you won't beleive this... a new set of ignition leads....nothing fancy just a set of standard leads and it works fine now, changes a smooth as a baby's bum.
Theory is that the ECU senses a misfire with the engine under load at a lean? light throttle setting and gets a little confused resulting in a bad shift


Well there you go

Cheers
Bucketeer

[Patrio7]

yeah i was coming home one day and it felt like the engine was going to stall, but i had replaced the leads and plugs with my last service, finally got it to happen with my dad in the car ( mechanic by trade ) and after a test run, popped out the spark plugs low and behold they were as black as the ace of spades, replaced them and it went awesome for a while but now its back to its grinding thing. i should take my tape recorder in the car next time to see if it can pick up the noise

[kopper69]

My car used to make the grinding noise from the transmission at about 90kms/hr, and engine light would normally come on if I exceeded that speed. Ended up getting the recon done and havent had any problems with it since.