Transmission problem????

[billberry12]

I flushed at 78,000 and again at 127,000. I'm at 131,000 now. I just started noticing last week when I start the car in the morning and put it in reverse, it seems to hesitate going in gear a few seconds. The rest of the day it is fine. This is new. Is something going on here? If so, what do I check? Or is it just my OCD about my car kicking in?
thanks,
Bill

[agrazela]

Does it do the same thing if you go into a forward gear after a cold start / overnight sit?

[billberry12]

Seems to only happen when I put it in reverse to back out of the garage. by the time I get backed out into the street, it seems ok when I put it in drive and go.

[agrazela]

What I'm maybe thinking of is a leaky, worn input clutch seal. Once it's been engaged in reverse, the problem may disappear (at least for awhile).

I need to know if this lack of trans engagement would also happen when cold /first thing in a forward gear. Maybe back into your space tonight and pull out forward tomorrow morning?

Also, have you ever had the "bang start" issue with the trans, where you are revving to go from a stoplight / stop sign and it takes a second or two before the trans engages (usually, with a "bang")?

[billberry12]

No bang starts. Fluid level is exactly on full. Good pinkish red color. It did have a few small bubbles on it. I ran the car for about 15 minutes, then checked it according to the directions in the owners manual. I noticed that when I put it in reverse, it makes a clicking/pop sound that is different than when I put in in drive. the motor doesn't move much at all, so the mounts seems ok. After thinking this through, it might be that in the morning, i jump in the car and crank it and drop it in reverse immediately and quick. Maybe I'm not giving it enough time to get the fluid where it should be to throw it in gear. I will do it slower tomorrow.

[01bonneSC]

Also, have you ever had the "bang start" issue with the trans, where you are revving to go from a stoplight / stop sign and it takes a second or two before the trans engages (usually, with a "bang")?

Not trying to hijack the thread but what would this show a promlem of? This kinda happend to me yesterday, but was moving from reverse to drive and it took awhile to get into D. Had never happened before.

[agrazela]

The "bang start" can be a symptom of a worn input clutch piston seal. Scroll down this page a bit for info:
http://www.tripleedgeperformance.com/4T ... _Info.html

[billberry12]

I took my car to a transmission guy who came highly recommended. He told me that these cars transmissions normally last 130,000 to 150,000 miles.

Some more....some less..

I have a clunk when I come to a stop now sometimes, in addition to the temporary slippage going into gear at starts.

He said if it was his car, he would continue to drive it until it got much worse. He said the liklyhood of it leaving me stranded beside the road was slim. It could go another 20,000 to 50,000 miles without getting any worse. He said he would hate to see me spend $1500-$2500 on this car, then wreck it or something and it not be worth anything.

He told me to bring it back and let him drive it if it gets worse, or if check system light comes on, which it has not so far.

Would would you guys and gals do?

Thanks,

[agrazela]

At this point, I think I would do a fluid and filter change, and examine the pan and cut open the old filter looking for excessive clutch "mud" and/or any metal shavings. Could help with diagnosis.

I would also take a really good look at that front trans mount; that mount is quite squirelly on the 2000+ models.

[billberry12]

Only problem is that I did a complete flush 5000 miles ago, and the front mount has been replaced recently.

[Archon]

Was the filter replaced when the flush was done? Either way, the advice is good so that you can see whether there are any tranny parts and shavings laying in the pan, or caught in the filter. May give a hint toward what is happening.

Throw some Trans Tune in before the drop, and put in some Lucas transmission fix in during the refill.

[swampthing]

Was the filter replaced when the flush was done? Either way, the advice is good so that you can see whether there are any tranny parts and shavings laying in the pan, or caught in the filter. May give a hint toward what is happening.

Throw some Trans Tune in before the drop, and put in some Lucas transmission fix in during the refill.

that stuff is great for helping older tranny's last and masking symptoms. at the very least you could siphon out a qt and put in a qt of lucas.

but the fluid and filter change is the best way to start, and it's not that expensive to do yourself.

[billberry12]

What's the easiest way to siphon out trans fluid. I think I'm going to just add some Lucas to it first, since the fluid in it is almost new anyway. I don't think the filiter was changed when it was flushed. The shop told me it wasn't necessary because the flush cleaned the filter too. Is that bull?

I had a power steering leak that Lucas stopped completely. Kind of made a believer out of me for Lucas products. I also use Lucas gas treatment/injector cleaner about once every three months in a tank of gas. Seems to help make me feel better anyway.

[agrazela]

I don't think the filiter was changed when it was flushed. The shop told me it wasn't necessary because the flush cleaned the filter too. Is that bull?

That is complete BS. If, in fact, it is true that the filter was not replaced, then it is possible that your old, clogged filter--a problem which incidentally was probably exacerbated by the flush--could be the sole cause of your problem.

My advice: install a new filter, and don't use that shop again.

You will have to weigh the cost of new fluid versus getting something like a Motive Products vacuum extractor (so you can reuse most of your near-new fluid).

(Note: dropping the pan is always a mess; nice thing about the extractor is it will get 90% of the extractable fluid out mess-free and without contamination.)

[swampthing]

x2!

yes that is bull! the filter is only about 15-20 dollars of piece of mind if I were you I'd change that