AT Problem?

[nurseryboy]

Hey guys,
I have a problem that I believe needs to be resolved pretty quickly, if it is what I think it is. Explination:

While driving my 96 Talon Tsi (AWD AT) home today, I punched in the gas at one straight shot of road. I started going fast, as normal, but all of a sudden, the RPMs shot way up and I started coasting like in neutral. When I would push the gas back in a little, all it would do was rev. Luckly I was going down a hill, so I was able to coast to a side-road. Once I got on it, I pressed the gas again and I was able to go. I drove around a little, very slowly, and everything seemed ok. But I took it back on the road and gave it some gas again, and it did the same thing. It would pick up for a while, but then all of a sudden, feel like it went into neutral, even though it wasn't (from my end).

Now I have read on these forums that that has happened to some of the MT drivers, but I didn't see anything about an AT. So, my question is: what is going on? Could the transmission be going out? If so, I don't think I should drive it much.

Please let me know.
Thanks,

Matt

 

[16vdohcturboawd]

yea most likely the trannys ####ed...if your lucky it could just be the torque convertor...i think. but anyway just check the fluid and throw some in if needed and some at tranny gunk like slick 50 or something like that.

 

[secondchance]

I'm having this EXACT same problem. I've also noticed that it almost always seems to be between about 30-45 mph when this happens. I'm curious if an end-clutch kit would solve this? Might anyone have any other specific ideas? Also, were you able to eventually get this fixed Matt?

Thanks,
Bryan

Originally posted by nurseryboy
Hey guys,
I have a problem that I believe needs to be resolved pretty quickly, if it is what I think it is. Explination:

While driving my 96 Talon Tsi (AWD AT) home today, I punched in the gas at one straight shot of road. I started going fast, as normal, but all of a sudden, the RPMs shot way up and I started coasting like in neutral. When I would push the gas back in a little, all it would do was rev. Luckly I was going down a hill, so I was able to coast to a side-road. Once I got on it, I pressed the gas again and I was able to go. I drove around a little, very slowly, and everything seemed ok. But I took it back on the road and gave it some gas again, and it did the same thing. It would pick up for a while, but then all of a sudden, feel like it went into neutral, even though it wasn't (from my end).

Now I have read on these forums that that has happened to some of the MT drivers, but I didn't see anything about an AT. So, my question is: what is going on? Could the transmission be going out? If so, I don't think I should drive it much.

Please let me know.
Thanks,

Matt

 

[secondchance]

Oh... and it also seems that I need to drive for a while before it starts happening.

 

[nurseryboy]

Yep. That is the same problem I had. Mine also had to warm up a bit before it started happening as well.

A few weeks ago I took the Talon to a local garage that specializes in foreign/import cars. They took a look at it, and it ended up being the overdrive clutch was burnt out. So, they have been working with my warranty to get everything in place so I can get it rebuilt, and actually, they warranty place has just agreed to pay $1027 of the $1868 bill. (That $1868 also includes a shift kit. I figured now would be the best time to get that installed.) So, I should have the car back in a little while. Too bad it cost quite a bit to get fixed, but now I shouldn't have to worry about the tranny for a good while now.

Oh yeah, if it ever gets to the point where you can barely drive the car because it keeps slipping into neutral (what happened to me), you can get around very slowly by taking OD off, and keeping it in 2nd gear. That is how I had to get it to the garage. . But I would suggest that you get it fixed (or at least looked at) as soon as you can, because (at least in my case), it only got worse.

Hope that helps,

Matt

 

[secondchance]

Thanks Matt,

That helps me out A LOT. Based on this, I'm going to go ahead take the $79 gamble since it looks as if the problem can be fixed with the end-clutch replacement kit ( http://www.importperformancetrans.com/mitsubishiauto.shtml#main ). If that doesn't take care of it, I'll be getting mine rebuilt. From what I've been reading, the plates had a tendency to warp fairly easily and needed to be replaced. Fortunately, (from my limited understanding) the plates for the OD clutch are also the most accessible , and you don't have to remove the tranny, making it a fairly easy job.

Thanks,
Bryan

 

[nurseryboy]

No problem. Good luck with it!

Matt

 

[secondchance]

Cool,

Also, you might want to look at this link.

http://www.plymouthlaser.com/ec.htm

It provides more detailed information about the end clutch, as well as other transmition issues.