Trans downshift and jerking problem

[97GSTSC]

I have a 97 GST with an A/T, no mods, and about 127,000 miles. The tranny was rebuilt about 2 years ago but over the past few months i have noticed two problems.

#1-If it is a hot day and i have the ac on, the car seems to slam back down into first gear when i come to a stop. If i dont have the ac on it seem to do fine. This one has had me stumped for about 5 months now.

#2-This may not be directly related to the tranny, so if it's not let me know and i'll post it in the appropriate forum. If i am driving on the interstate and i get to about 80mph (4000 rpms), the cars seems to studder like its not getting enough power. Its almost like a small surge. This is something i just notice within the last 2 months since i didnt do much interstate driving before then, but thought it might be something with the tranny since of my other problem. Anyone have any idea on what might be going on?

 

[shoddywood]

the first problem ended up costing me a new transmission. :thumbdown that thing would knock the fillings from your teeth when it downshifted.

 

[97GSTSC]

That figures :thumbdown . Well if this trans dies on me again, I think im gonna swap it out for a manual. I may go ahead and start looking. Thanks.

 

[matt97gst]

I think my auto does the same studder thing you're talking about on the highway. I think it happens when i let off the gas after i did some accelerating on the highway..gives a little jerk/studder.

My car always slams into first gear when I come to a stop. I think that's b/c the black spring from the translab kit though.

 

[98TalonTSi]

If you have the black spring from the shift kit, that definitely makes things feel harsh..
Check your motor mounts too, as with any accessory on, the drain will be greater, causing things not to be as smooth..

 

[milton666]

yea my car definately slams down to 1sy gear to when im slowing down to stop, always wondered if it was bad though...

 

[Spinall4]

I think my auto does the same studder thing you're talking about on the highway. I think it happens when i let off the gas after i did some accelerating on the highway..gives a little jerk/studder.

My car always slams into first gear when I come to a stop. I think that's b/c the black spring from the translab kit though.

This *may* be just somthing simple, such as your TC locking and unlocking. Also with the black spring in it, the trans does seem to clunk a little bit.

Here's a little bit of advice. I've owned 2 different at awd dsms. A 95, and a 98. My good friend has a 97 gsx AT that I drive from time to time (being the local dsm a/t guru has its advantages) and I've been in other at awd's. EVERY SINGLE A/T DSM I'VE EVER BEEN IN, HAS "CLUNKED" TO SOME DEGREE. That first shift from reverse to drive in the morinig can be a bi***. As these cars wear, things get worn out. Motor mounts, drive line joints, ect. My 95 banged from the day I got it till the day I parted it out. from 95,000 mi to 136,000 mi. Hell, metal chunks were sticking to the magnets when I pulled the pan six months before parting it out. It still drove. Over 1000 AWD launches. All the abuse 1.81 60' times, big t-28 power, and power breaking for 20 seconds or more. The W4A33 is slightly stronger than some people give it credit for. Sure it can bang somtimes, but you know thats not the only "thing" you have to explaine to your car-dumb friends when they ride in it.
If you treat it right, change the fluid every 15,000 mi, new filters, a GOOD cooler and temp gauge, put in a shift kit + end clutches, and try not to follow my example of abuse, the W4A33 will take more power than most of the people on the forum make.

 

[StyleElements]

#2-This may not be directly related to the tranny, so if it's not let me know and i'll post it in the appropriate forum. If i am driving on the interstate and i get to about 80mph (4000 rpms), the cars seems to studder like its not getting enough power. Its almost like a small surge. This is something i just notice within the last 2 months since i didnt do much interstate driving before then, but thought it might be something with the tranny since of my other problem. Anyone have any idea on what might be going on?

has you or anyone found the reason for this? my car does it so bad you almost cant drive it on the highway. it happens right between vaccum and boost with my car. it bucks very hard. sometimes at 55+

 

[97GSTSC]

I dont know what causes it but after sitting all weekend i get in my car this morning (a rainy monday morning) and my car starts bucking like crazy followed by the cel coming on. I think when my taxes get back ill be looking at trading the ole beast in on something else (sorry fellow dsmers)

 

[98TalonTSi]

Don't apologize, why not just find out what the CEL is?