Auto tranny, changed fluid, shifts hard

[OiledMustangGT]

AW4 transmission, about 70k on it. Completely flushed 1 yr (less than 15k) ago. Shifted beautifully

OK, yesterday I dropped the pan, changed fluid, filter (auto zone) and refilled with the specified dex/mercon III. the fluid looked really, really good no chunks just alot of the normal, fine black dust from the clutch. Now it starts shifting really hard and later than before.

If I remember correctly sometimes the transmission will shift different for a few days after a change as it readjusts it's computer and stuff. Did I just f**k up the transmission by changing the fluid/filter?

I did not dislodge any wiring in the transmission pan (checked) and I torqued the filter to spec

 

[rpn453]

Fluid level is good?

That's all I got.

 

[theguru]

Just a suggestion, but make sure you have your radio pin codes first. Pull the battery connection and let the computer loose it settings. Reconnect and start the learning process from scratch.

 

[Eddie]

Are we sure we used the correct AT fluid????

 

[OiledMustangGT]

positive

 

[Ray H]

The Aisin-Warner AW4 indeed uses Dexron III/Mercon (but NOT Mercon V) ATF. I'd be looking specifically at either the fluid level or the filter at this point. Sounds like something's up with internal working pressures.

 

[OiledMustangGT]

i think it might be the tv cable adjustment, mabey I knocked the linkage while working down there

I'm going to readjust the cable tommorow

 

[OiledMustangGT]

I adjusted the TV cable and installed a new TPS. seems alot better now.
A new cat also helped as my old one was clogged up.

 

[unDummy]

What ATF was used during the flush a year ago?
What brand now?
Pick another brand for the next fluid change.

 

[bmwtechguy]

By the comments you made, I'm assuming that you have experience changing ATF/filter before. Had a friend who jumped in headfirst and changed the ATF/ filter on his Explorer (not late model). When he was done, shifting was erratic, to say the least. He asked me what he possibly could have done wrong. He showed me his filter kit. Down in the bottom of the box was an o-ring that he never thought to put on the new filter, preventing a positive seal to the filter neck. So the pump was sucking air and fluid, both. On top of that, he had already put in some high- dollar fluid that had to come back out to fix his little first-timer mistake.