Surging Automatic Transmission

[Harry Krishna]

Hi,
My 2002 Calais is surging and shuddering slightly when I am doing anything over 80 and usually only going up inclines. Dropping down to 3rd overcomes this and when on the flat I shift it back to Drive.

First question is what could be wrong and more importantly any idea on repair cost ($$ is tight at the moment !)

Second one is am I doing more damage dropping it down to 3rd to overcome the surging/shuddering ???

Cheers !

[accentstencil]

It sounds like a bad spark plug lead or spark plug to me, most likely a lead.

[som]

i agree.almost certainly has to do with spark.consider buying yourself a good set of plugs and leads,maybe even coils and prevent yourself having a heart attack worrying about the possible cost of a new tranny.(i believe that you can check your plugs etc with a multimeter but i have no idea how,i'm sure someone else can offer some advice)

[Mick1988]

You can check the resistance of your leads with a multimeter. Plugs are cheap as might as well just replace them anyway if they've done more than 50,000km

[teamboc8]

Hi Everyone,
My vx does the same lagging,surging over 80kmh and at the slighest of inclines and alot of people have said about the leads plugs but in most cases is this the main cause? i'm thinking i'm due a tranny service but any opinion would be great.

Cheers Aaron

[CAPRILICIOUS WL]

Hey bro,

Most Likely it's your torque converter locking up.

It will only happen when cruising at a constant speed in your case probably between the 78-83km range and will sometimes happen when you drive up a steep road.
And if you were to put ur foot down to let the transmission pass that range it feels like it's struggles to pick up speed and will make that noise.

Pop down to an auto transmission specialist and let them hear the sound they will be able to tell u If it is the torque converter for sure.

If it is will cost roughly about $700 to a crazy $2500 job.
So make sure u search around as many of them will wana rip you off telling u it's a very big job.
They have to pull the trans out to change the torque converter and will service it upon request also.

Above info is only from past experience and is for your reference to help u out so don't quote me on anything. lol

I hope Iv helped

Cheers.
Dave