PCS

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DRC
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PCS

Post by DRC »

I have an appointment this Tuesday to have my pcs solenoid replaced. I am having the rough shifting when tranny is warm issue. I am assuming the tranny shop will just toss in another OE solenoid...is there a better atermarket option to go with that hopefully won't fail again? I have heard Wagner? Would rather spend a few more $$ on a better solenoid than take it in again for the same job...which I have been quoted $650-$850.
Last edited by DRC on Sun Sep 02, 2012 11:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: PCS

Post by 00Beast »

GM revised the design. I would not trust an aftermarket one....
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Re: PCS

Post by DRC »

Oh good to know. I will confirm with the shop that they are using an up-to-date PCS.

Thanks 00Beast.
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Re: PCS

Post by 00Beast »

No problem. IIRC it was already changed in 03, but it seems the Bonne's got the same trans in 03, and that 04-05 may have gotten the upgrade.
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Re: PCS

Post by nos4blood70 »

If my car is anything to go by, the upgrade came in 04+. :(
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Re: PCS

Post by DRC »

2004 being the upgrade year make sense. After researching a bit, the GM bulletin for faulty PCS was issued in 2003.
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Re: PCS

Post by harofreak00 »

My trans shop swears by the Wagners.
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Re: PCS

Post by DRC »

So took it in today to the trans shop, they scanned for codes and sure enough it threw the code for faulty PCS 40km ago, so they are replacing the PCS (and a bad trans mount at $150 for just the mount!), however the PCS brand they use is Borg-Warner. Anyone know if these are decent or not?
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Re: PCS

Post by 01bonneSC »

DRC wrote:So took it in today to the trans shop, they scanned for codes and sure enough it threw the code for faulty PCS 40km ago, so they are replacing the PCS (and a bad trans mount at $150 for just the mount!), however the PCS brand they use is Borg-Warner. Anyone know if these are decent or not?
The front mount? Is it a factory replacement?

You can make your own solid mount for <$30
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Re: PCS

Post by DRC »

Yes a front mount. Other 3 are in good shape. The part is already in to be installed tomorrow, so whatever. Question though - while the side pan is off, is there anything else I should have replaced now as a precautionary measure, so I dont have to possibly replace it in the near future? As you know, it's a big and expensive job to get the side pan off. Anything you might suggest?
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Re: PCS

Post by harofreak00 »

I'd replace the shift solenoids and the tcc solenoid too.
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Re: PCS

Post by DRC »

So I am getting the P1811 max pressure code again...less than two months after PCS was replaced. Car is back to shifting harsh when warm. My tranny guy said it's very unlikely that it is the PCS again this time...and may require a teardown to determine what the problem is. Mutliple different issues can set this code apparently. He quoted a full rebuild at $2600+tax!

Any suggestions guys? As to what else could be causing this?
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Re: PCS

Post by nos4blood70 »

I would suggest an aftermarket shift kit. Transgo or ZZP. I just put one in my car and cured the problem pretty much entirely.
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Re: PCS

Post by DRC »

nos4blood70 wrote:I would suggest an aftermarket shift kit. Transgo or ZZP. I just put one in my car and cured the problem pretty much entirely.
Really? What does a shift kit do to eliminate the problem? Say if a shift solenoid ot the PCS is faulty, would a shift kit somehow prevent the trans from going into max pressure mode?
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Re: PCS

Post by Archon »

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Re: PCS

Post by DRC »

Seems to make sense. Thanks for the tips guys. Any idea how much shift kit and installation would be? Does tranny need to be dropped?
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Re: PCS

Post by nos4blood70 »

Depending on your mechanical ability you could probably do it yourself. The shift kit is in the neighborhood of 50 dollars and you need to buy two gallons of transmission fluid. You don't need to drop the transmission. You will be dropping the pan. This will give you a good idea of the work involved.
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 10193.html
Whichever shift kit you choose to purchase will come with its own instructions.
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Re: PCS

Post by DRC »

For that cost, maybe I'll give a shift kit a shot. Thanks for the help !
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Re: PCS

Post by DRC »

nos4blood70 wrote:I would suggest an aftermarket shift kit. Transgo or ZZP. I just put one in my car and cured the problem pretty much entirely.
Can you suggest where to look for a Transgo or ZZP shift kit? Can they be purchased at automotive store or do you need to buy online?

Thinking I will give this a try in hopes of saving $2000+
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Re: PCS

Post by nos4blood70 »

-Car Guy Carl
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