Tranny randomly up and downshifting

[SeanMc]

Driving home from work today, I get on the freeway and hammer it. It shifts like it's supposed to, but then it all the sudden downshifts and hits redline. I let off the gas, and it holds at redline for a few seconds, and then slams back into 2nd. Cruising another mile to my exit, it seemed fine. I got off the freeway, and it gear hunted again as I was bringing it to a stop. Made my turn and then it wouldn't shift out of first until I let my foot off the gas. I came to a signal light, and it died. Started right back up, and seemed ok, until I came to a stop where it idled 3-400rpm higher than usual. I babied it home where it seemed ok. What's going on? TPS? VSS? Oh, codes show 511 (LPM) on KOEO, and 111 on KOER.

 

[SHO Continental]

I babied it home where it seemed ok. What's going on? TPS? VSS?

That 'ATX' is your problem.

Symptoms sound similar to the original atx in my '93 about 2 weeks before it 'sploded.

Don't try to use this as en excuse to get out of the track day next month either!

 

[fdogg96]

I wonder what's gonna break next before Willow Springs.

 

[SeanMc]

Can you not whore this thread?

 

[hawkeye18]

+1, it sounds like your tranny is on its way out. Sorry to hear it, bro...

 

[bubba]

Mine sounded like your talking about before, it gave up the ghost. Sorry to hear it.

 

[SeanMc]

Well, I went out to check on things, checked codes and came up with a 335 (EGR out of range..yeah, ok). While the motor was running, I heard a knocking coming from the coil pack area. I took off a wire and saw a blue-ish powder like coating on the contacts...4 of them in fact. So I got some steel wool, and cleaned them off. Put the ends back on the CP, and fired her up, idles like silk, ok, cammed silk now. Went for a 10 mile drive (um, sprint), and everything was back in order. Will let you know if it happens again.

 

[hawkeye18]

Huh. I fail to see how a spark malfunction could cause a transmission to randomly shift, but I guess I can't say I haven't seen stranger things ... so I guess congrats on finding the problem! lol

 

[CademiaX]

Hmm, I would keep an eye on it, if that was the problem I'm sure it would have miss fired and threw some mis-fire codes.

 

[SeanMc]

Ok, just went on a 45 minute cruise. Lots of upshifting, downshifting, stops and goes. No problems. I guess it was shifting like it was supposed to, but the revs were off. Anyway, since all is good now, I'm sitting here enjoying a big slurpee (it's 75* outside).

 

[CademiaX]

Ok, just went on a 45 minute cruise. Lots of upshifting, downshifting, stops and goes. No problems. I guess it was shifting like it was supposed to, but the revs were off. Anyway, since all is good now, I'm sitting here enjoying a big slurpee (it's 75* outside).

Well, lets celebrate, just bring me one of those slurpees

 

[JRA2000TL]

Well, lets celebrate, just bring me one of those slurpees

I'll have a Mountain Dew or Sunkist Slurpee please, the largest size you can get.

 

[SeanMc]

Ib4tl!

 

[SHO Continental]

Have you checked the condition of your trans fluid? Possibly time for a flush.

 

[SeanMc]

Have you checked the condition of your trans fluid? Possibly time for a flush.

It was changed right before we went to Willow

 

[TopGunnYFZ]

My car shifted crazy one day too, I was bracing myself for an explosion but I made it home. Got in it the next day and it was fine and has been since, that was about 6 months ago? Maybe it was having a bad day

 

[hawkeye18]

This is true, I had a weird day a long time ago with mine... it was real hot outside and the tranny was acting really sluggish and didn't want to stay in gear... then I got a DTC for "incorrect ratio for 3rd gear"... wtf? But it hasn't done anything weird since then.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Does your cruise control work? If not, that's usually the sign of a failing VSS.

How is your fluid level/condition?

 

[SeanMc]

$3200 was a good investment for this transmission. It was fine again this morning.

 

[SeanMc]

Does your cruise control work? If not, that's usually the sign of a failing VSS.

How is your fluid level/condition?

Fluid level is perfect. Had it flushed about a month ago, and it's nice and pink. Cruise works. Everything is fine.