Transmission problem? i hope not

[tennisdude]

Hey yall, I have a 97 firebird A4. I was driving today and starting off from a light or stop sign, anyway when it was shifting from 1st to second it shifted really hard.. now i was not accellerating too hard at all i dont know the exact rpms but i doubt more than 2000. I figured it was just a fluke or something but it did it again and again everytime on the way home. Does anyone know what this could be?

[matt3989]

Re: Transmission problem? i hope not

this could be the beginning of a p1870, if you throw a code or have problems with your torqe converter locking up then get it taken care of right away the longer you wait the more $$$$$ itll cost you

it might just have been a long day off driving, when the fluid gets to hot the pressure increases due to the expanded fluid, thats when a tranny cooler would be helpful,

if its just slipping a vette servo might fix the problem

but my best guess is a p1870 will come up soon

[tennisdude]

Re: Transmission problem? i hope not

would flushing my transmission and refilling it help? the car has around 102k on it and I dont know if its ever been flushed. I've only had the car for about 15k miles.

[bah]

Re: Transmission problem? i hope not

p1870, just get the tcc valve body updated, just happened to me, the earlier you catch it the better

[tennisdude]

Re: Transmission problem? i hope not

i dont know much about transmissions. What is the TCC valve body and is it something i can attempt to do myself? or do i need to take it to somewhere? and if i need to take it somewhere how much will that run me?

[bah]

Re: Transmission problem? i hope not

take it somewhere, tell them the code and say that its probably the tcc valve body, they will probably already know that, mine just got fixed for $300, if they tell you that they need to replace the entire valve body, i reccomend you take it somewhere else and get a second opinion, chances are that it wont need replaced, just fixed

[matt3989]

Re: Transmission problem? i hope not

yeah take it to a shop and have them do it, they usually have to ream out the old worn valve and replace it with a new one, not something you should try yourself,

ask about the sonnax parts, most shops have probably heard of them their fix is much cheaper and stronger than the gm fix, do a search on here for more info

and yes when you take it to a shop have them do a complete routine service on your transmission because 102K is way over due, even if the old owners did change it at 50 it is due again

[matt3989]

Re: Transmission problem? i hope not

oh yeah here is a good thread to start with, http://forum.camarov6.com/showthread.php?t=51890

[tennisdude]

Re: Transmission problem? i hope not

Bringing this back up to the top

I went by a transmission place today.. i havent really had any more problems.. but the code did pop up once a week or so ago and then went off again. anyway i went by a tranny shop and the dude said he thought it would be 1200 and that the sonnax kit wont fix it all, that there would be some crap messed up in the transmission. now what im thinking is that if its not messing up when im driving around town and that it shifts just fine then the transmission should still be good. If im wrong someone tell me. he told me he thought it would be around 1200 to fix which is much higher than what i had read on here that it might cost.

[ChronoGN]

Re: Transmission problem? i hope not

Bringing this back up to the top

I went by a transmission place today.. i havent really had any more problems.. but the code did pop up once a week or so ago and then went off again. anyway i went by a tranny shop and the dude said he thought it would be 1200 and that the sonnax kit wont fix it all, that there would be some crap messed up in the transmission. now what im thinking is that if its not messing up when im driving around town and that it shifts just fine then the transmission should still be good. If im wrong someone tell me. he told me he thought it would be around 1200 to fix which is much higher than what i had read on here that it might cost.

Take it somewhere else. Sounds like hes just trying to get money out of ya.

[2K3800CAMARO]

Re: Transmission problem? i hope not

your trans has an electronically controlled lock up torque converter
under proper conditions the cars computer(ecm) gives a signal to the trans to
apply converter lock up---when the converter does not lock up---thats the slipping that
throws the p1870-----your trans may need a lock up solenoid located in the valve body of the trans
or a torque converter----also verify the fluid level and color-----very dark reddish black fluid is an

indication of internal trans problems

[CDNFB]

Re: Transmission problem? i hope not

Don't even tell them what the problem is, cause they are going to try to soak you for $$$$.

Find a shop that you can trust (talk to people in your area if you have to), take the car to them and tell them you want the Sonnax TCC valve kit installed in the valve body and a new filter. If you want to flush the fluid at the same time, that's up to you but will cost you more $$$$.

How mechanically capable are you? If your confident in your abilities, pull the valve body out of the transmission yourself and take it to a shop and have them modify it for you. Then re-install it yourself.

[tennisdude]

Re: Transmission problem? i hope not

ok thanks for the advice. ive been asking around for good shops but no one seems to know of any. i have thought about doing it myself im just tentative since ive never done anything like that before.

[CDNFB]

Re: Transmission problem? i hope not

Well, I removed the valve body myself, and then had the tranny shop modifiy it for me, and then I re-installed the valve body.

It is fairly easy, and you only need basic tools. It can get a bit messy when your draining the oil, and the whole time your under there the fluid is always dripping on you.

If your a little adventurous, give it a try. If you want I can give you some instructions and pictures that can help you.

Let me know.

[99pewterv6]

Re: Transmission problem? i hope not

CDNFB instruction and pics would be good. Alot of people are haveing this problem it seems. I'm thinking about fixing mine by taking the valve body and taking it to a shop.