Transmission Hard Shift when warmed up
Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2012 8:04 am
I have recently purchased a 2002 SSEI. It is my sixth Bonneville and my third SSEI. The vehicle has only 97,000 miles. I have done the Intake Manifold Gaskets. The Transmission Fluid is not in the best shape and I do not know if it has ever been changed.
When the car is warmed up and everything is at temperature I will get an intermittent hard shift as my speed is going up and down. If I accelerate, there is no problem at all. The SC kicks in and the downshift works well. It is during slight changes in speed in urban traffic where the thunk will occur.
A local transmission shop tells me that a solenoid that controls shift points could be at fault. He even gave me the Code Number, which I promptly forgot. The cost for fluid change and solenoid is estimated at $1,200.00 - 1,300.00 dollars. They also "Hinted" that once the transmission is open they may have seal problems.
I am not in a position to spend the 1300 hundres dollars, let alone the cost for a "Rebuild" project. I am a mechanic. Although I do not work in the profession any more. I have changed Tranny Fluid in the past. It is a very messy job.
I have also paid to have a rebuild in a 1990 SSE. I wasn't cheap, but I kept the car for another 50,000 miles and then gave it to my son for a Graduation Present. The cost of the work was worthwhile.
Does anyone have experience with this situation? Is the solenoid an item that can be easily changed when I drop the pan to replace the fluid?
Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated.
When the car is warmed up and everything is at temperature I will get an intermittent hard shift as my speed is going up and down. If I accelerate, there is no problem at all. The SC kicks in and the downshift works well. It is during slight changes in speed in urban traffic where the thunk will occur.
A local transmission shop tells me that a solenoid that controls shift points could be at fault. He even gave me the Code Number, which I promptly forgot. The cost for fluid change and solenoid is estimated at $1,200.00 - 1,300.00 dollars. They also "Hinted" that once the transmission is open they may have seal problems.
I am not in a position to spend the 1300 hundres dollars, let alone the cost for a "Rebuild" project. I am a mechanic. Although I do not work in the profession any more. I have changed Tranny Fluid in the past. It is a very messy job.
I have also paid to have a rebuild in a 1990 SSE. I wasn't cheap, but I kept the car for another 50,000 miles and then gave it to my son for a Graduation Present. The cost of the work was worthwhile.
Does anyone have experience with this situation? Is the solenoid an item that can be easily changed when I drop the pan to replace the fluid?
Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated.