Sudden hard shifting transmission

[2002Bonnie]

I have a 2002 Pontiac Bonneville SE with 185,537 miles on it currently and have never had any problems with the transmission and have changed the filter and fluid every year. I just changed it again a month ago. I drive about 70 miles round trip to work every day with about half of it at 70 MPH. On the way home today, I didnt notice any problems with the car until I got into the city and out of the blue it was "kicking" hard into every gear, while speeding up, slowing down, just letting off the gas. Really bizarre. When I got home I immediately popped the hood and checked the fluid, its is pink, clean, and smells normal. Fluid level was right as well.

I did a little searching and came across a thread talking about a pressure line problem, but since i havent driven it again since turning it off cant confirm an absense of problems at the moment. If its still shifting hard tomorrow what should be my next course of action? I do have a third vehicle for emergency purposes but its kinda down at the moment too (Needing rear brakes completely redone and get it registered and insured again to make it roadworthy, not to mention patching the rust holes around the rear glass).

is the trans on the way out even tho I have taken meticulous care of it, or is it something more like that pressure line or a shift solenoid or something that just wore out due to mileage.

If any mechanically inclined person near Longview, Tx wants to come take a look, you are welcome to come by.

[01bonneSC]

Sounds like the PCS (pressure control solenoid). Very common.

[01bonneSC]

Transmission shift harsh/firm when warm
Problem: The transmission shifts harsh after driving for a while when tranny is warm.
Solution: The PCS (pressure control solenoid) is acting up. You might have the code P1811. While the sensor is cheap, it is located inside the transmission and the side cover must be removed to access it. To remove the side cover, the subframe must be lowered to clear the frame rail. It is a very labor intensive fix.
It has also been said that an aftermarket shift kit can help cure this problem.
More info: http://tripleedgeperformance.com/Harsh_ ... P1811.html
Estimated Cost: $40 for the new solenoid, but $400-1000 in labor.

[2002Bonnie]

If it is the PCS, how long will the trans last till it blows? Anything I can do to prolong the transmissions life?

[01bonneSC]

If it is the PCS, how long will the trans last till it blows? Anything I can do to prolong the transmissions life?

It wont really blow, never did mine and put 100K(had it from 75K to 180K) on it.

As the quote says you can do a shift improver kit. It just overrides what the PSC does.

[BlackHawk99]

Mine does the same thing occasionally. I just go easy on it until the trans cools down then it operates just fine. I'm at 222K on the original trans.

[nos4blood70]

Put a shift kit in mine, completely got rid of the issue.

[brownbrentm]

I had mine done at 130k, now at 155k, no problems since. Found a place that did the pcs, and the solenoid next to it for $530.

[redbaron05]

No, No, No, relax, I had the same problem. Very simple fix. Disconnect your battery for about 10 minutes then reconnect it. That will reset the trans (computer) memory so it can relearn the codes. It'll shift as smooth as silk after that.....

[01bonneSC]

No, No, No, relax, I had the same problem. Very simple fix. Disconnect your battery for about 10 minutes then reconnect it. That will reset the trans (computer) memory so it can relearn the codes. It'll shift as smooth as silk after that.....

Then when the trans gets heat soaked again, the PCS will act up again.

[redbaron05]

Mine never did, runs great. The trick is to get it flushed every 30K miles and every other time, drop the pan and replace the filter.

[01bonneSC]

how many miles were on yours when you bought it?

[DRC]

My PCS went this past August, had it replaced and two months later the hard shifting when warm was back. P1811 code. Thanks to advice from some of the guys here, I bought a Transgo shift kit and it's going in next Tuesday. Crossing my fingers it works as nos4blood70's did !

[01bonneSC]

My PCS went this past August, had it replaced and two months later the hard shifting when warm was back. P1811 code. Thanks to advice from some of the guys here, I bought a Transgo shift kit and it's going in next Tuesday. Crossing my fingers it works as nos4blood70's did !

Did you buy the updated part?

The shift kit works because it overrides what the PCS does. Its basically a permanent band aid.

[DRC]

Did you buy the updated part?

The shift kit works because it overrides what the PCS does. Its basically a permanent band aid.[/quote]

The brand of PCS my trans shop used was a Wagner...so there's a lesson for anyone else on here who needs to replace PCS, maybe stay away from the Wagners! Unless it's something else that's causing my P1811 code this time..but whatever, as long as the shift kit works I don't care..

[golfyeti]

My hard shifts never came back after installing a 180 thermostat and a tuned pcm that runs your radiator fans properly. That was several years ago. No more heat soaking, no more shift banging.

BTW, if you pull over and turn off the car for a moment the hard shifts should go away until you get home. Doesn't always work but worth a try to save the gears on your way home.