I've had my 93 Protege for about a week now, and up until now it's worked pretty good. Transmission shifted funny on the odd occasion like it was shifting up and down between two gears rapidly but I didn't think anything of it. I've been told the 4 speed auto in the Protege isn't the most reliable unit. I was out driving today and I felt a weird slipping shift and then the hold light on the dash started to flash and would not shift up from 2nd. It was working fine this morning. If I shut the car off in park, then start it back up the light will stay out for a few seconds, then start flashing again. I wonder if some electrical component could have gotten wet from snow and slush we've had the past few days here. The fluid level looks normal and doesn't seem to be discolored. #@$%! I hope it's something that will go away on it's own, but I've never been that lucky. Could be something simple like a loose connection somewhere, or more involved like a sensor failing or (and with my luck, the most likely) something major in the guts of the transmission has up and died on me. I don't know what I'm going to do about it.
Well, that sure lasted a long time...
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Well, it's not going to go away on it's own. It just might not do it some days and it will on other days. Certainly have the transmission checked out and have the issue fixed.
Wait until things dry out (or dry them yourself) before diagnosing.
I think letting it sit overnight has done the trick. I had it out this morning and it didn't act up. I drove it around til it got up to operating temperature and it was acting normal, like it should. A flush and some Lubegard are in order I think.
Oh, go back to bed Grandpa!
JK!
Let everyone talk as much as they want about how a new car depreciates (Most of the instant depreciation is because the majority of people don't haggle enough to get true invoice price or lower...but that's beside the point). I don't care.....I'll always buy new because nothing would frustrate me more than going through something like this. Too many people see cars because something is wrong with it.
IMHO service the car for once (inc. flushing the trannie with fresh, quality ATF fluid) and see what happens.
I don't casually buy all the casual postings (I call those "drive-bys") and anecdotal observations on the internet, citing that a most of them are downright stooopid (owner's negligence mainly). You have to seriously do your homework to find out exactly what's wrong with your gearbox.
I don't casually buy all the casual postings (I call those "drive-bys") and anecdotal observations on the internet, citing that a most of them are downright stooopid (owner's negligence mainly). You have to seriously do your homework to find out exactly what's wrong with your gearbox.
Agreed and ensure you get a complete fluid and filter exchange and don't just drop the pan and add new fluid.
As an example, I purchased my 2001 Taurus in May 2005. Transmission shifting was not exceptional. I did both maintenance items listed above, but only when I did the former did it make any difference. My transmission now shifts like new.
55 ,
I think you have handle on it and I maybe remembering things incorrectly but I believe there where in the early years a fair amount of misdiagnosis of your AT . There were some external electrical/electronic as well as solenoid problems that were incorrectly assumed to be mechanical failures . ( If left unattended they would result in failure . ) Also , I think your O.D./ flashing light system stores transmission trouble codes that are easy to get - it may have been signaling that . One last hazy recollection - the more troublesome MAZDA AT is the one they used in the MX6 Cpe. and others .
In light of your second post I'd be looking at grounds , connectors , etc . and not just the obvious ones . Its pretty common for Asian carlines to develop annoying but minor ground corrosion issues under the right circumstances after 12 years and about 120 - 150 K miles ( U.S. )
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