Well, the problem is not crippling, doesn't make the car hard or unsafe to drive, occurs only rarely, and goes away easily. If my car were a human being, this would be an annoying cough or neck strain that crops up once in a blue moon -- and then goes away after a nap!
A little worried about my tranny
- Thread starter Benzadmiral
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Originally Posted By: Benzadmiral
Well, the problem is not crippling, doesn't make the car hard or unsafe to drive, occurs only rarely, and goes away easily. If my car were a human being, this would be an annoying cough or neck strain that crops up once in a blue moon -- and then goes away after a nap!
Exactly! My father was told if it were a major issue a code would be stored, but if he wanted to spend over $100/ hour they'd be happy to take the money and "try" to find the problem. I would want to be 100% certain the screen/filter was installed properly, along with the proper fluid at the correct level. If you are 100% certain that was all done correctly, I would say drive it and hope it stores a code.
Well, the problem is not crippling, doesn't make the car hard or unsafe to drive, occurs only rarely, and goes away easily. If my car were a human being, this would be an annoying cough or neck strain that crops up once in a blue moon -- and then goes away after a nap!
Exactly! My father was told if it were a major issue a code would be stored, but if he wanted to spend over $100/ hour they'd be happy to take the money and "try" to find the problem. I would want to be 100% certain the screen/filter was installed properly, along with the proper fluid at the correct level. If you are 100% certain that was all done correctly, I would say drive it and hope it stores a code.
I'd have to say I'm 99.9% sure that everything was done right. I've been going to this mechanic since 2002; he's dealt with big and small issues with my Mercedes and now with the Buick, and has always tried to save me money.
Plus he changed the fluid and filter in early 2008. The shifting issue didn't crop up for the first time until very late in '08, as I recall. And I checked the fluid level myself (see my first post in this thread) under the proper conditions, and the level was fine. For now I'll just keep an eye on the level and enjoy driving the car!
Plus he changed the fluid and filter in early 2008. The shifting issue didn't crop up for the first time until very late in '08, as I recall. And I checked the fluid level myself (see my first post in this thread) under the proper conditions, and the level was fine. For now I'll just keep an eye on the level and enjoy driving the car!
Originally Posted By: AcuraTech
Are the transmissions in this car known to be durable? Or do they often need repairs?
There are so many poorly designed transmissions out there that it's amazing.
Engines have gotten amazingly more reliable in the past 30 years but it seems that transmissions have actually gone backwards. Transmission fluid hasn't improved much in 30 years either.
TH-400 was the highpoint of automatic transmission design for simplicity, reliability, and potential for frequent abuse and still keep going.
These newer 5, 6, 8 spd autos are mostly junk. Baby em all the way along and they still fail. I guess that's what happens when you jamb so many forward gears in such a small space while trying to shave off weight and keep it confined within a small hot engine bay. Add in the 30 or so electronic solenoids, sensors, and valves on the modern A/T and you have a recipe for early failure.
I totally agree. it's idiotic that transmissions have 6 speeds and more. it's just more gears to break! I'll get along fine in my 4 speed auto.
Are the transmissions in this car known to be durable? Or do they often need repairs?
There are so many poorly designed transmissions out there that it's amazing.
Engines have gotten amazingly more reliable in the past 30 years but it seems that transmissions have actually gone backwards. Transmission fluid hasn't improved much in 30 years either.
TH-400 was the highpoint of automatic transmission design for simplicity, reliability, and potential for frequent abuse and still keep going.
These newer 5, 6, 8 spd autos are mostly junk. Baby em all the way along and they still fail. I guess that's what happens when you jamb so many forward gears in such a small space while trying to shave off weight and keep it confined within a small hot engine bay. Add in the 30 or so electronic solenoids, sensors, and valves on the modern A/T and you have a recipe for early failure.
I totally agree. it's idiotic that transmissions have 6 speeds and more. it's just more gears to break! I'll get along fine in my 4 speed auto.
Instead of listening to people guess - how about this for a diagnostic starting point:
xTooltipElement
Service Information
2003 Buick Park Avenue | Park Avenue (VIN C) Service Manual | Transmission/Transaxle | Automatic Transaxle - 4T65-E | Diagnostic Information and Procedures | Document ID: 54869
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harsh or Soft 1-2 Shift Feel
Checks
Cause
DEFINITION: One of the two following conditions occurs during a first to second gear steady throttle upshift, or a second to first gear coast, or a light to moderate throttle detent downshift:
• Harsh shift feel -- an unacceptable quick gear change occurs.
• Soft shift feel -- an unacceptable long gear change occurs.
Automatic Transmission Fluid Level - soft shift only
Low fluid level
Transmission Main Line pressure
Low or high transmission main line pressure
Oil Filter Assembly - soft shift only
• The oil filter assembly (100) is missing, plugged, or damaged.
• The oil filter seal assembly (101) is missing or damaged.
1-2 Accumulator Assembly
• Misassembled or upside down 1-2 accumulator assembly
• Damaged or missing 1-2 accumulator piston oil seal ring (137A)
• A damaged or missing 1-2 accumulator piston cushion spring (139) or outer spring (142)
• A stuck or binding 1-2 accumulator piston (136A)
• Debris in the passages of the accumulator cover spacer plate (134)
Control Valve Body Assembly
• Debris in the passages of the control valve body (301) or spacer plate assembly (370)
• Missing or mislocated #2 ball check valve (372)
• Misassembled 1-2 accumulator valve (340-345) line-up
• Stuck or binding 1-2 accumulator valve (341)
• Damaged or missing 1-2 accumulator valve spring (340)
• Missing, damaged, or misassembled 2-3 accumulator valve bushing (345), bore plug (343), or retainers (342, 385)
Driven Sprocket Support Assembly - soft shift only
• A damaged second clutch housing oil seal rings (613) or the four lobe oil seal ring seals (612)
• Worn or damaged second clutch housing bushings (616, 619)
Second Clutch Assembly
• Missing or not seated second clutch basking plate retaining ring (627)
• Missing or misassembled second clutch backing plate (626)
• Worn, damaged or misassembled clutch plates (623-625)
• Missing or not seated second clutch spring retaining ring (622)
• A damaged spring assembly (621) or piston (620)
• A missing or damaged second clutch housing ball check valve assembly (618)
• A damaged second clutch housing assembly (617)
© 2009 General Motors. All rights reserved.
xTooltipElement
Service Information
2003 Buick Park Avenue | Park Avenue (VIN C) Service Manual | Transmission/Transaxle | Automatic Transaxle - 4T65-E | Diagnostic Information and Procedures | Document ID: 54869
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harsh or Soft 1-2 Shift Feel
Checks
Cause
DEFINITION: One of the two following conditions occurs during a first to second gear steady throttle upshift, or a second to first gear coast, or a light to moderate throttle detent downshift:
• Harsh shift feel -- an unacceptable quick gear change occurs.
• Soft shift feel -- an unacceptable long gear change occurs.
Automatic Transmission Fluid Level - soft shift only
Low fluid level
Transmission Main Line pressure
Low or high transmission main line pressure
Oil Filter Assembly - soft shift only
• The oil filter assembly (100) is missing, plugged, or damaged.
• The oil filter seal assembly (101) is missing or damaged.
1-2 Accumulator Assembly
• Misassembled or upside down 1-2 accumulator assembly
• Damaged or missing 1-2 accumulator piston oil seal ring (137A)
• A damaged or missing 1-2 accumulator piston cushion spring (139) or outer spring (142)
• A stuck or binding 1-2 accumulator piston (136A)
• Debris in the passages of the accumulator cover spacer plate (134)
Control Valve Body Assembly
• Debris in the passages of the control valve body (301) or spacer plate assembly (370)
• Missing or mislocated #2 ball check valve (372)
• Misassembled 1-2 accumulator valve (340-345) line-up
• Stuck or binding 1-2 accumulator valve (341)
• Damaged or missing 1-2 accumulator valve spring (340)
• Missing, damaged, or misassembled 2-3 accumulator valve bushing (345), bore plug (343), or retainers (342, 385)
Driven Sprocket Support Assembly - soft shift only
• A damaged second clutch housing oil seal rings (613) or the four lobe oil seal ring seals (612)
• Worn or damaged second clutch housing bushings (616, 619)
Second Clutch Assembly
• Missing or not seated second clutch basking plate retaining ring (627)
• Missing or misassembled second clutch backing plate (626)
• Worn, damaged or misassembled clutch plates (623-625)
• Missing or not seated second clutch spring retaining ring (622)
• A damaged spring assembly (621) or piston (620)
• A missing or damaged second clutch housing ball check valve assembly (618)
• A damaged second clutch housing assembly (617)
© 2009 General Motors. All rights reserved.
Last edited:
Are you sure it is a transmission issue and not a bad motor mount or transmission mount?
Originally Posted By: JohnBrowning
Are you sure it is a transmission issue and not a bad motor mount or transmission mount?
Excellent sugggestion! I have seen a motor/trans. mount cause this issue. However, it would normally do it all the time (his problem is intermittent)..but still worth a check.
Are you sure it is a transmission issue and not a bad motor mount or transmission mount?
Excellent sugggestion! I have seen a motor/trans. mount cause this issue. However, it would normally do it all the time (his problem is intermittent)..but still worth a check.
Originally Posted By: GMBoy
Originally Posted By: JohnBrowning
Are you sure it is a transmission issue and not a bad motor mount or transmission mount?
Excellent sugggestion! I have seen a motor/trans. mount cause this issue. However, it would normally do it all the time (his problem is intermittent)..but still worth a check.
Update, all,
I've been letting this slide for quite a while, I see now. But while at the dealer this morning to have them fix a rattle in the driver's seat, I asked them to investigate.
Their view: All the transmission mounts should be replaced, to the tune of $549. (Remember, this is a dealer, with dealer labor rates.) Since I have a solid rule to get a second opinion about any non-critical repair > $150 or so, I'll have my regular mechanic check the mounts tomorrow when I'm there for tire rotation/wheel balancing/check front shocks. In the meantime, thanks to GMBoy and JohnBrowning for the suggestion.
If that is the problem, is it possible that the decay in the tranny mounts has also affected the ride? I've been attributing it to the slow rot of the streets around here, and maybe my front shocks (at 83K miles) need to be replaced. But maybe this is a factor too?
Originally Posted By: JohnBrowning
Are you sure it is a transmission issue and not a bad motor mount or transmission mount?
Excellent sugggestion! I have seen a motor/trans. mount cause this issue. However, it would normally do it all the time (his problem is intermittent)..but still worth a check.
Update, all,
I've been letting this slide for quite a while, I see now. But while at the dealer this morning to have them fix a rattle in the driver's seat, I asked them to investigate.
Their view: All the transmission mounts should be replaced, to the tune of $549. (Remember, this is a dealer, with dealer labor rates.) Since I have a solid rule to get a second opinion about any non-critical repair > $150 or so, I'll have my regular mechanic check the mounts tomorrow when I'm there for tire rotation/wheel balancing/check front shocks. In the meantime, thanks to GMBoy and JohnBrowning for the suggestion.
If that is the problem, is it possible that the decay in the tranny mounts has also affected the ride? I've been attributing it to the slow rot of the streets around here, and maybe my front shocks (at 83K miles) need to be replaced. But maybe this is a factor too?
I'm thinking it is a solenoid or electronic component related to the transmission, see if you can pull any codes. If not bring it to a tranny shop you trust and see if they can test solenoids and any electrical components related to the tranny.
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