Shifts HARD after driving for a while...

[sped214]

Hopefully someone can help. I've got a '97 Camaro, and recently this started happening. After driving for about 40 miles, it starts to shift really hard. I don't have a shift kit or anything, so i'm a little concerned this could be a sign that a problem is on the way. I don't get an SES light, and the car is running fine otherwise.
BTW: My alternator is going bad, would this have anything to do with it? Thanks in advance.

OOPS! Forgot to mention it's an A4 [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ July 31, 2002: Message edited by: sped214 ]</p>

[sped214]

Anyone?

[Pewter2K1]

I just got through with this same problem, to make a long story short, i have a new tranny. IT has somthing to do with teh TCCS Torque conver ter control solenoid. I had the same symptoms as you, took it to teh dealership and told them waht was up. They dropped the pan and found some shavings. This is an expensive fix, so be ready if you dont have a warranty. I got an SES light for a tranny slip, but I think that was another problem at the same time. This problem has a history with the A4's see what happens if it gets worse check it out, I was told by a mechanic that if you flush the tranny not just drop the pan but go to Jiffy lube and get teh flush theing where they take all the fluid out of the TC and get a new filter, this might help out. Good luck with it, sucks to have to think about tranny problems.

[sped214]

Thanks, Pewter. I was going to flush it anyway, now I'll just do it sooner than I was planning.

[Pewter2K1]

I'm not sayin thats gonna fix it tho, it might help get crap ouuta there, it all starts by a drop in fluid pressure, which as it gets hotter, it gets thinner, maybe add some tranny additive, possibly thicken up the fluid a bit to keep it from losing its viscosity. Just a thought, I know they make stuff for leaky tranny's but i dunno, talk to someone at Auto zone or a tranny shop and see what they say.

[sped214]

Sorry to revisit this old post, but the fluid change didn't help. Some one (sorry, I lost your name/e-mail) e-mailed me and said they had the same problem with their car, and it ended up being the TC control solenoid. Whoever that was, can you post a few more details? What was the part, how did you diagnose it as that part, and how much did it cost to change it? Thanks a bunch. I appreciate the help.

[JVT007]

i had that problem.. i ended up getting the who clutch rebuilt.. u might start getting and SES light soon.. the code might be 1870 (which is what I got).

I had it done under warrenty work (carmax). Total was 1700 dollars to rebuild the clutch.

[sped214]

So your clutch packs went bad? I would think that would lean more towards slippage, not hard shifts... Man, I hope that's not it. It only does it after it's good and hot, and has been driven for a while...

[carldev96]

http://www.camarov6.com/ubb/ultimate...c&f=1&t=007315

http://www.camarov6.com/cgi-bin/ulti...23&t=000412&p=

http://www.camarov6.com/cgi-bin/ulti...23&t=000249&p=

I installed the Transgo repair kit desinged to service the P1870 code(slipping tranny/bump 1-2 shift problems). All I can tell you is my tranny feels like its brand new. also put in a corvette servo which added a little sportines to the shifts when I get on the gas. Anyway just something to consider rather than an expensive rebuild.

good luck
carldev

[ August 16, 2002: Message edited by: carldev96 ]</p>

[sped214]

Carldev:

Sorry to bring up this old topic again, but when you installed the Transgo, did you notice the shifts get considerably firmer, or did I do something wrong, because mine is shifting pretty hard now. I don't have a light, but it's shifting pretty hard...

[carldev96]

no not really.

Under about 1/3 throttle my tranny shifts quite soft, like it did before the light came on. With the corvette servo it shifts a bit firmer based upon how hard I hit the gas. You may want to talk with the person who installed it. I'm not much of an expert with these kits, but there are several piston choices that affect the firmness of the shifts. I made sure to tell the guys installing mine that I wanted the softer piston.

Instructions (Upper right corner)

They may have used one of the V8 pistons which yields harder shifts. If your unhappy I'd recommend talking with the installers to see what they did. The shop that installed mine gets $70 an hour for tranny work! :mad: For that price I made sure they did it right. Don't be afraid to let them know your unhappy.

good luck [img]smile.gif[/img]
carldev

[sped214]

I actually did it myself. The piston referred to in the instructions was left stock, as the kit didn't have a new one in it. Some springs were changed per the instructions, and the pulse valve was replaced. Everything was done exactly to the instructions... I wonder what went wrong?

Has anyone else installed this kit and experienced firmer shifts? I would assume they would be a little firmer due to the heavier springs and the widening of the holes in the vb plate. Maybe I'm just paranoid...

[ September 04, 2002: Message edited by: sped214 ]</p>