Tranny surging in 3rd gear - Page 6

andrewe77 · 12-20-2009, 09:16 PM

Same problem here as Tank33. I have about 150k miles and never had a pan drop and filter change. Tempted to have it done after x-mas to see if it improves this problem. Only seems to be really bad when it is very cold outside (around 0 degrees F).

Love my GT · 12-21-2009, 07:35 PM

My car did this. I changed the fluid for probably the first time at 135000 miles and now it is not doing it as bad. Before I was actually waiting for my transmission to fail any day, but now in normal driving it shifts just fine. I used Valvoline Max Life oil for high mileage vehicles, not sure if that makes any difference or not.

XDRKMANX · 12-27-2009, 01:43 PM

Anyones car stalling out on them?

350rs · 01-02-2010, 09:43 PM

http://s201.photobucket.com/albums/a...=Video0007.flv

thats what my car does. dosent seem to matter what speed. but i havent been able to make it do that in first. second is less frequent. but third and OD seems to be its favorite.

GrandAmMe · 01-02-2010, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 350rs

http://s201.photobucket.com/albums/a...=Video0007.flv

thats what my car does. dosent seem to matter what speed. but i havent been able to make it do that in first. second is less frequent. but third and OD seems to be its favorite.

Aha! Thats what my car was doing when I was just trying to move in reverse! It did it in drive but fixed it self after I shut it off. Interesting....

350rs · 01-02-2010, 11:35 PM

dosent make a change for me.

BTW, when the RPMs dropped its because i let off the throttle then got back on it a bit. im on a slight hill. hard to tell degree.

Mattz · 01-07-2010, 12:35 AM

I am Having the same problem right now, my shop changed my spark plugs, fule filter, its strange they sayed they didnt notice anyhting or no codes poped up. I am going to bring it to a transmission shop tomorow for a filter and fluid flush. see if they notice anyhting

bkuz · 12-16-2011, 06:15 AM

Just wanted to let you all know I have a confirmed fix on this issue. In the case of this 4t40e it was diagnosed as a faulty transmission, I proceded with rebuild. I did not find anything suspect inside the unit other than a very hard flat o'ring on the 3-4 shift valve end plug. I still rebuilt the trans as I would have any other with all updates and new clutches seals and bearings. I thought this O'ring might be the culprit but during road test issue was still present. I then proceded to clean MAFS and the condition changed. The speed at which it occured moved up about 10mph. So then I unplugged the MAFS (an old trick wich rarely works on newer cars) and the problem disappeared. Ordered a reman senor from NAPA and the car is fixed. Its a long way around to a resolution but atleast this trans should NEVER give problems again, in the life of this car.

Fireball · 12-16-2011, 08:30 AM

Amusingly enough mine was doing this very badly and frequently earlier this year.
I changed my air filter and haven't looked back since...
Although I do still have another surge, just not the one where the rpms bounce up and down.

doc.nelson24 · 02-22-2012, 10:14 PM

I have an 04 grand am that now won't shift out of 2nd. it started with the tans seeming like it was slipping, rpms would bounce a little. I've dropped the pan and didn't find any peices. I'm suspecting the 2-3 shift solenoid could be the cause. Anyone have any suggestions? or know where the solenoids are located?

unchained_01 · 02-23-2012, 11:51 AM

2/3 shift solenoid is located on the driver side if the tranny under the cover

MichaelY · 02-26-2012, 12:09 AM

I know my 2000 Pontiac is doing the same thing. If I manually shift 1st-3rd it won't do it. But if I leave it just in 3rd, or D (OD) it will surge. Mainly going up hills, and I usually just give it some gas so it pops down into 3rd.

I've tried dropping the tranny oil/new filter. That didn't work, and I haven't tried leaving the battery disconnected and turning the lights on (reset everything pretty much) yet. But soon I will give some of these things a try. Hopefully it's something easy, like replacing a coil pack.. but I highly doubt it.

doc.nelson24 · 03-05-2012, 06:15 PM

Ok, so I've replaced the shift solenoids and the trans lock solenoid, no luck with fixing the problems. Still won't shift above 2nd. Any other suggestions? Or should I just bite the bullet and got to a shop or replaced the tranny?

videoman · 03-09-2012, 12:34 PM

For the shift surging Problem, it was as simple as reprogramming the PCM to add a bit more pressure for the shifts. Before spending 2 grand on a new tranny, I would talk to a shop that would be able to make such a change to your PCM.

This would be a mild suggestion, to try. If your tranny is in good condition (no metal peices, material in pan) then I would go for the assumption that this whole issue is a software issue, not hardware.

When I started the thread, the issue was reviewed by any number of mechanics. Everyone thought it must be a hardware issue ( pressure solinoids,torque converter, ect.). I swear my tranny was new all over again and the issue was still there. I was already modding the car for a bit more performance and reched the stage to where I was going to reprogram the PCM to fit with all the new mods.

One of the changes, was to increase the pressure for each shift so that the shifts would be quicker/crisper. The issue was fixed. After speaking with a tranny expert, it was thought that the whole issue was the tranny atttempting to compensate for the low pressure after the shift by surging higher, then it would lower again and go higher, ect..

To help back this diagnosis, another person in our group had the exact same issue. He had a 03 Grand am GT ( mine was 02 ) that was having the exact same issue. The same person that reprogrammed the PCM, did it to his car. FIXED!

Give it a shot.

doc.nelson24 · 03-10-2012, 01:14 PM

I'll see if I can find a shop to do this. What are the OEM pressures? What did you have them upped to?

12-16-2011, 06:15 AM	#108
bkuz GAGT - Newbie AKA: Brad Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: fairbury ne Posts: 1 Vehicle: 2002 gagt	confirmed fix Just wanted to let you all know I have a confirmed fix on this issue. In the case of this 4t40e it was diagnosed as a faulty transmission, I proceded with rebuild. I did not find anything suspect inside the unit other than a very hard flat o'ring on the 3-4 shift valve end plug. I still rebuilt the trans as I would have any other with all updates and new clutches seals and bearings. I thought this O'ring might be the culprit but during road test issue was still present. I then proceded to clean MAFS and the condition changed. The speed at which it occured moved up about 10mph. So then I unplugged the MAFS (an old trick wich rarely works on newer cars) and the problem disappeared. Ordered a reman senor from NAPA and the car is fixed. Its a long way around to a resolution but atleast this trans should NEVER give problems again, in the life of this car.

12-16-2011, 08:30 AM	#109
Fireball GAGT - Member AKA: Michael Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 130 Vehicle: 2001 Malibu	Amusingly enough mine was doing this very badly and frequently earlier this year. I changed my air filter and haven't looked back since... Although I do still have another surge, just not the one where the rpms bounce up and down. __________________ 2001 Malibu, 3100, 180 xxx km Ported & Polished UIM, 65 mm tb, CAI, 2.5 inch mandrel catback to single in dual out magnaflow muffler, OBX Headers with downpipe.

02-23-2012, 11:51 AM	#111
unchained_01 Manic Mechanic AKA: albert Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: cumberland md Age: 59 Posts: 677 Vehicle: 2003 grand am gt	2/3 shift solenoid is located on the driver side if the tranny under the cover __________________ Building my own concept

03-09-2012, 12:34 PM	#114
videoman I shoot people. AKA: Mr. President Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Winnipeg - Cruise capital Posts: 336 Vehicle: 2002 Grand Am GT Coupe	For the shift surging Problem, it was as simple as reprogramming the PCM to add a bit more pressure for the shifts. Before spending 2 grand on a new tranny, I would talk to a shop that would be able to make such a change to your PCM. This would be a mild suggestion, to try. If your tranny is in good condition (no metal peices, material in pan) then I would go for the assumption that this whole issue is a software issue, not hardware. When I started the thread, the issue was reviewed by any number of mechanics. Everyone thought it must be a hardware issue ( pressure solinoids,torque converter, ect.). I swear my tranny was new all over again and the issue was still there. I was already modding the car for a bit more performance and reched the stage to where I was going to reprogram the PCM to fit with all the new mods. One of the changes, was to increase the pressure for each shift so that the shifts would be quicker/crisper. The issue was fixed. After speaking with a tranny expert, it was thought that the whole issue was the tranny atttempting to compensate for the low pressure after the shift by surging higher, then it would lower again and go higher, ect.. To help back this diagnosis, another person in our group had the exact same issue. He had a 03 Grand am GT ( mine was 02 ) that was having the exact same issue. The same person that reprogrammed the PCM, did it to his car. FIXED! Give it a shot. __________________ Shooting people since day 1! MGAC

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12-20-2009, 09:16 PM	#101
andrewe77 GAGT - Member AKA: Andrew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Blue Springs, MO Posts: 162 Vehicle: 2000 Grand Am GT Coupe	Same problem here as Tank33. I have about 150k miles and never had a pan drop and filter change. Tempted to have it done after x-mas to see if it improves this problem. Only seems to be really bad when it is very cold outside (around 0 degrees F).

12-21-2009, 07:35 PM	#102
Love my GT GAGT - Member AKA: Cliff Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Lock Haven, PA Age: 50 Posts: 91 Vehicle: 2000 Grand Am GT1	My car did this. I changed the fluid for probably the first time at 135000 miles and now it is not doing it as bad. Before I was actually waiting for my transmission to fail any day, but now in normal driving it shifts just fine. I used Valvoline Max Life oil for high mileage vehicles, not sure if that makes any difference or not.

12-27-2009, 01:43 PM	#103
XDRKMANX MY SECOND LOVE!! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Plainfield ,IL Age: 40 Posts: 125 Vehicle: 1999 GT	Anyones car stalling out on them?

01-02-2010, 09:43 PM	#104
350rs GAGT - Member AKA: Tom Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Louis, MO Age: 33 Posts: 547 Vehicle: 01 GT, 89 L98 Camaro	http://s201.photobucket.com/albums/a...=Video0007.flv thats what my car does. dosent seem to matter what speed. but i havent been able to make it do that in first. second is less frequent. but third and OD seems to be its favorite.

01-02-2010, 11:35 PM	#106
350rs GAGT - Member AKA: Tom Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Louis, MO Age: 33 Posts: 547 Vehicle: 01 GT, 89 L98 Camaro	dosent make a change for me. BTW, when the RPMs dropped its because i let off the throttle then got back on it a bit. im on a slight hill. hard to tell degree.

01-07-2010, 12:35 AM	#107
Mattz GAGT - Member AKA: Mathew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Windsor Posts: 116 Vehicle: 2002 Grand Am GT1	I am Having the same problem right now, my shop changed my spark plugs, fule filter, its strange they sayed they didnt notice anyhting or no codes poped up. I am going to bring it to a transmission shop tomorow for a filter and fluid flush. see if they notice anyhting

02-22-2012, 10:14 PM	#110
doc.nelson24 GAGT - Newbie AKA: Joe Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Bakersfield,VT Posts: 5 Vehicle: 04 Grand Am SE	I have an 04 grand am that now won't shift out of 2nd. it started with the tans seeming like it was slipping, rpms would bounce a little. I've dropped the pan and didn't find any peices. I'm suspecting the 2-3 shift solenoid could be the cause. Anyone have any suggestions? or know where the solenoids are located?

02-26-2012, 12:09 AM	#112
MichaelY SoDak AKA: Michael Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Lemmon, South Dakota Posts: 7 Vehicle: 2000 Grand Am GT 4 DR	I know my 2000 Pontiac is doing the same thing. If I manually shift 1st-3rd it won't do it. But if I leave it just in 3rd, or D (OD) it will surge. Mainly going up hills, and I usually just give it some gas so it pops down into 3rd. I've tried dropping the tranny oil/new filter. That didn't work, and I haven't tried leaving the battery disconnected and turning the lights on (reset everything pretty much) yet. But soon I will give some of these things a try. Hopefully it's something easy, like replacing a coil pack.. but I highly doubt it.

03-05-2012, 06:15 PM	#113
doc.nelson24 GAGT - Newbie AKA: Joe Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Bakersfield,VT Posts: 5 Vehicle: 04 Grand Am SE	Ok, so I've replaced the shift solenoids and the trans lock solenoid, no luck with fixing the problems. Still won't shift above 2nd. Any other suggestions? Or should I just bite the bullet and got to a shop or replaced the tranny?

03-10-2012, 01:14 PM	#115
doc.nelson24 GAGT - Newbie AKA: Joe Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Bakersfield,VT Posts: 5 Vehicle: 04 Grand Am SE	I'll see if I can find a shop to do this. What are the OEM pressures? What did you have them upped to?