Overdrive Problems

[Tanya D]

I have an automatic 1998 VT V6 Berlina and the overdrive it playing up. I can be cruisin along the highway doing 110km in top gear and all of a sudden for no reason the transmission drops back into 3 gear and stays there. This has become so frequent it does it every trip on the highway. I have tried to get it to change back to 4th by pumpin on the accelerator, that does not work. I have tried changing the gear stick back down to third and then back up to D and that doesn't make it change. The only way to reset the trans is to pull over and switch the ingnition off and start again. If i pump on and off the accerlorator it stops the trans changing to 3rd but i have to concentrate on the revs the whole time. HAS ANYONE OUT THERE HAD THIS PROBLEM B4?? PLEASE HELP. I HAVE TAKEN MY COMMODORE TO THE LOCAL DEALER HERE AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS CAUSING IT!!!!

[xtr3]

This isssue is related to your gearbox slipping or your torque converter slipping.
What happens is the ECU (engine computer) monitors the speed of the engine and gearbox, and when it detects i think 300rpm of slipping it forces the gearbox into gear 3 or at worst limp home mode.
Nothing except ignition off and then back on will release it out of these modes.

Your car is simply doing this to protect itself from wear, and its a normal feature.

Im pretty sure it means your car is due for a gearbox service.

P.S this is in the wrong area, you have posted it in the "My Ride" section, id recommend a Moderator moves it to the correct area.

[chargedvx6]

If you push the accelerator it will drop out of lock up in 4th and 3rd. Lock up is for cruising.

If Holden put it on the TechII (diagnostic device) it will probably show a bad lock up solenoid. Yeah, probably due for a service too if it has been over 35000kms

[LowVp]

often the o-ring on the front of the input shaft goes hard and drops pressure causing the slip and like xtr said pushing it back to 3rd.

but service it with oil and filter and if it keeps on doing it replace the o-ring which is a box out job.

[WJD634]

this happened to my 1998 vt had the problem fixed about 3 months ago, the problem is caused when the transmission is put under alot of pressure in 4th gear. this would be from towing a trailer or boat in 4th gear instead of 3rd. It kicks back into 3rd because the clutch in the torque converter slips and the only way to fix it is to get a transmission specialist to replace the torque converter with a reconed one. Cost me about $580 including the torque converter, labor and a service. DO NOT USE DRIVE ANYMORE, instead put it back in third other wise you will burn the trans out and you'll be up for 2k to get a new one. any more questions just pm, but it is definitely the torque converter and needs to be replaced asap. holden dealer couldn't find a problem with mine so make sure you do go to them. in future if you tow anything make sure it is left in 4th, it will save ur trans and also the economy will be better even tho it revs a lil higher