Transmission Odities

[Rogue10186]

Ok, I just finished changing all of my transmission fluid in my '93 ATX, I also mounted my new tranny cooler from Hayden. I took it out on a test run after making sure it didnt have any leaks, and the SHO upshifted much smoother than it had been, it felt like it did when I first started driving the car

However I noticed an odd little problem, that I was hopping the fluid change would take care of, was still there. What happens is that when I'm braking and the transmission goes from 2 to 1st, it kinda hangs in 2nd or inbewteen 2nd and 1st for a second, even though I know it should've already smoothly dropped to first, like it does with all the other gears. Then it decides to drop into 1st, doing just slightly noticeably rough.

I don't think it's the tranny itself, b/c it never slips while I'm driving or does any other goofy things, and when I pulled the tranny pan I found only a small amount of that metalic fuzz, plus the fluid didnt smell burnt or look to bad.
I'm wondering could it be the torque converter? the V.S.S., or maybe just the computer itself, b/c I have the stock '93 pc in mine?

Any help would be apprecteated!

 

[Mr Anonymous]

I don't think it's the tranny itself, b/c it never slips while I'm driving or does any other goofy things, and when I pulled the tranny pan I found only a small amount of that metalic fuzz, plus the fluid didnt smell burnt or look to bad.

Unfortunately, that doesn't mean much.

It could be a VSS issue on an outside chance that's delaying your coastdown shifts, but chances are the the tranny is on it's way out. Eventually it will start getting worse, then it will die. I've generally found that a new VSS will only solve about 1% of the tranny problems out there; the other 99% require a rebuild.

 

[SHOGIRL1994]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this is EXACTLY what my '94 ATX started doing about 8 months ago, and to make a long story short, it did nothing but progress. It's at the point where you have to manually shift it down or it either will not downshift or it will hang for too long and slam very hard back down to the lower gear. (Fortunately for me, I sold the car this week! heh)
The VSS wasn't the problem on mine, but it's definitely worth it to check into that first before you go getting a rebuild or swap your tranny.

 

[Rogue10186]

If it is going out, is there anything I can do to squeeze as much life out as possible from it to allow more time to save up money for a rebuild?

 

[oh_SHO]

You've already done part of it with the fluid change and extra cooler. Don't abuse it and it should give you some more miles. FYI my Dad's 93 ATX has had weird shifting habits for years and many miles. It has currently got 141K on the original trans.

 

[Rogue10186]

I just ran the codes, only one I've not had before was code

411 - Cannot control RPM during self-test low RPM check.

I know I accidently messed w/ the throtle screw a while back, but I thought I put it back the way it was originally. Could this have something to do with it? Now that I think of it, this whole tranny hover thing started after I messed w/ the throtle screw after doing part of my upper 120K a few weeks back.

My thought: Maybe when if the screw ain't on the right way, it could cause just enough air to go into the engine when I decelerate for just enough time to make the tranny think I still had a foot on the gas, causing it to hover in 2nd for about a second longer than it should?

 

[Slo-Sho]

If you have the AXOD-E or the original 93 trans then you'd better save your $. Back then they used the aluminum forward clutch piston assembly and they like to crack or otherwise reach "End of Service". I'm not saying this is the cause, but it is symptomatic of what you describe.

 

[SHOBOI20]

my tranny runs fine and its 1990 and has almost 200k on it. the only thing is when you put it in reverse you have to put it first gear first to line the plates back up or it will grind.

 

[musiccitysho]

I have 93 atx with 128,000 on it and have replaced the vss twice now and the tss once.When my vss has gone bad I had strangled shifts especially when trying to come out of O/D and eratic shifting that was most noticable climbing hills. I did however still have cruise control functions. When the tss failed I had hard shifts from 1-2, it felt like the trans was slamming into gear. Both sensors acted up only when the motor reached normal oper. temp., both threw the proper codes, and once the sensors were replaced the transmission problems were resolved.
The vss is a mother to replace on an atx and you will have to drop the y-pipe to reach the 10 mm screw that holds it, and everything is done by feel. The book calls for it to be a 3 hour job at a shop w/ a lift and HEAT. For the 150.00 I passed on the DIY. The tss is a snap and only takes about 30 minutes through the wheelwell.
Hope this helps.

 

[SHO#7]

If it is going out, is there anything I can do to squeeze as much life out as possible from it to allow more time to save up money for a rebuild?

On the back of the transmission above the pan, you will notice a servo cover. It looks like half of a soup can in the back of your transmission. That servo controls how she comes down from second to first. You may need a new servo and go with a softer spring. I will not promise that is it. But it is a good place to start.

Good luck