NOBODY can figure this out! stumped

[LEOMAC23]

So i had my car(97 A4) into the shop two times in the last week and they cannot figure it out, i think its a sensor but what do i know. The car runs and shifts perfect except when the car is cold, the tcc wont lock(even after warm) or locks then unlocks back and forth, and under load it makes a loud almost pinging rattle noise, But the funny thing is that after it warms up, if i stop the car and restart it, it goes away all together, and runs perfect, is this a temp sensor or somthing or do you guys think its tranny related, im stumped and its hard for my mechanic to find it cause it has to be cold enough out, and do it when i bring it there.

[Archer]

Re: NOBODY can figure this out! stumped

take it to a dealer and explain it to them. I dont like messing with garage mechanics.. Not talking about joe the neighbor, guys that own garages to diagnose problems... (installing things not a big deal).

Take it to a dealer, have them check it out. I'd almost bet my dollar (if I had one) that they would know what it is.

no disrespect to your mechanic.. Im not a total gear head... but I know when a pro needs to look at it. did I just sound like an ***??? sorry.. I know i wasnt much help.

Archer

[LEOMAC23]

Re: NOBODY can figure this out! stumped

yeah i think thats what im gonna have to do, just kinda wishin someone had the exact same problem and fixed it for really really cheap. wishfull thinking i geuss

[Choppers]

Re: NOBODY can figure this out! stumped

sounds to me like its the sensor in the valvebody for the transmission. you sure you are not getting a code 1870? But i would put my guess on it being that. The part to fix that is only $18-$22 depending on your year.

[LEOMAC23]

Re: NOBODY can figure this out! stumped

Would a transmission code turn the ses light on, cause if it would its not throwin any codes. Somone said it could be the coolant temp sensor thats not letting the tcc lockup but why would it lock and then unlock over and over and i dont think it would cause the engine(i think engine) to make a horrible rattleing noise? Another person told me it could be the maf gone and its picking base settings for a cold car and when it warms up they dont match up, so restaring after its warm makes it go away? does this make any sense?? i tried driving with maf unplugged and never noticed any really difference. i dont know tho

[96camarolover]

Re: NOBODY can figure this out! stumped

Yes. The SES light can come on for the trans. p1870 being the most troublesome code.

If its on then its valvebody related. The trans will seem fine but the SES light will be on. My 96 did that. It can ruin your trans if you dont get it fixed rather quickly.

[Archer]

Re: NOBODY can figure this out! stumped

but its not on... which means its possibly mechanical, but still within limits NOT to show the ses.. or your ses light is blown... just tossing it on the table.

Archer

[Choppers]

Re: NOBODY can figure this out! stumped

its tranny related issues not anything else. whether it be sensor or internal i dunno.

[3.4orNothing]

Re: NOBODY can figure this out! stumped

So i had my car(97 A4) into the shop two times in the last week and they cannot figure it out, i think its a sensor but what do i know. The car runs and shifts perfect except when the car is cold, the tcc wont lock(even after warm) or locks then unlocks back and forth, and under load it makes a loud almost pinging rattle noise, But the funny thing is that after it warms up, if i stop the car and restart it, it goes away all together, and runs perfect, is this a temp sensor or somthing or do you guys think its tranny related, im stumped and its hard for my mechanic to find it cause it has to be cold enough out, and do it when i bring it there.

man i know your problem,,,,,easy fix,,,,,,,,,,,you know your brake pedal???? ok,,,take a look at it,you will see a black switch for the brake lights,,,and a bit more on top a white switch,,,ok the white one controls the converter lock up,,when you hit the brakes that switch disengage the lock up,,,ok,,yours its a bit loose,,screw in a little and there you go!!!!!!!!!

[LEOMAC23]

Re: NOBODY can figure this out! stumped

im afraid its not that, if it was a brake pedal switch i dont think it would completly go away when the car is shut off then turned back on after warming it up. even if i let the car warm up in the driveway for 15mins or so its not there, only when cold. thanks for the response tho.

[Firebirdkid96]

Re: NOBODY can figure this out! stumped

TCC Solenoid. It's in the front of the valvebody and if it's malfunctioning it could be sending incorrect or sporadic signals causing the TCC to lock and unlock repeatedly.

[Den69RS96]

Re: NOBODY can figure this out! stumped

I most likely is an electrical issue with the wiring or a solenoid. My 02 pontiac GT did the exact opposite. It would run fine cold, but the converter would lock up when warm. The car vibrated excessively taking off from a dead stop but was ok once I got going. Took it to the dealer, I figured my converter or a solenoid was bad. Nope, a mouse chewed up the wiring harness near the airbox. The computer was getting messed up the signals, so it throw a code and locked up the converter.

[3.4orNothing]

Re: NOBODY can figure this out! stumped

im afraid its not that, if it was a brake pedal switch i dont think it would completly go away when the car is shut off then turned back on after warming it up. even if i let the car warm up in the driveway for 15mins or so its not there, only when cold. thanks for the response tho.

because mine did exaclty that,and that switch just needed some adjustment,,,,good luck friend

[96camarolover]

Re: NOBODY can figure this out! stumped

I say go to autzone and just see if any codes are present. Cant hurt to check, Maybe your SES light could be blown. You never know.

[LEOMAC23]

Re: NOBODY can figure this out! stumped

no the ses does work. im really starting to think its a temp sensor or along the lines of it , the car is also idleing irraticly and somewhat high when its doing this, around 2000rpm, it continues to do this until i stop the car and restart it after it is warm , so thats why i think its temp related, if it was the tcc solonoid i dont think it would just disapear after restarting the car after it warmed up would it??