Auto tranny Question/Problem

[VinnieDSM]

Hey everybody, first off I have a 99 Eclipse GS Turbo (Star Stage II), I put the turbo on about 2 months ago. I have a question about my transmission. I went to visit a friend at his house yesterday, shut off my car went inside for a couple of minutes to say whats up and when I started my car to leave my check engine soon light was on. I then noticed that my car wouldn't shift back down into first gear, it only stays in second. I drove my car to a local parts store and had them run the codes on it it spit out six codes all about the tranny. The only two they told me about were Transmission Malfunction and that my gear ratio was off. I took my car to a transmission shop today and they did a "BG cleaning" changed my filter and gasket and put all new fluid in it. It is still doing the same thing. One thing I did try is reseting my computer, by disconnecting the negative battery cable. I hooked it back up started my car and it shifted smooth through all the gears until I would let off a little bit and O/D would kick in. Right when O/D would kick in my light would come on and it stayed in second gear again. The guys at the transmission shop said I need to buy a new tranny. But to me it seems like an electrical problem, or a sensor. Is there a tranny sensor that goes bad on the 420A automatics that I don't know about? Please help me with this one. Thanks, Kevin

 

[revditup]

I can't remember the page but I think it's www.ecanfix.com/~manualcd/index2.htm
There is a page on there that list all the error codes and what to do about them. I think it means you have one of your clutches slipping when it says different ratio.
hope this helps.

 

[VinnieDSM]

Thanks for the web site but I couldn't find the page you were talking about.

 

[hose101772]

input and output turbine speed sensors--about $40 @ your local dodge dealer.common problem.

 

[VinnieDSM]

Thanks, I just went and had autozone run my codes again and this time I had them write them all down for me. One of the codes it spit out is exactly what you said. Do you know where the sensor located on my car? Once again thanks, Kevin

 

[hose101772]

should be on front middle of trans-inline with the crank.takes like a 22mil socket to get them off i think.cant remember the size exactly.should get you up and going again.good luck.

 

[dbech77]

I'd have to see the codes you received, but, no going to certain gears is almost always the end clutches going bad.

David.

 

[VinnieDSM]

The codes are; P0731-Gear ratio gear 1, or 3. P0715-input turbine speed sensor malfunction. P0700- Transmission malfunction. P0730- Can't remember if this is the code but gear ratio gear 1, or 3. The reason I say 1, or 3 is because I can't remember which is which all I no is I had two codes and one of them was gear 1, and the other was gear 3. I ordered the sensors form Satan the other day and they should be in on Friday. Thanks for all your help, Kevn

 

[dbech77]

Here's some info. First, the codes you have are wrong. I grabbed my tranny service manual for the 2g non turbo tranny and there are no such codes like the ones you gave me. But, I found code 51 and 53 which refer to incorrect gear ratio for 1 and 3 respectively. This is what the manual says for the probable cause of this:

1. Malfunction of pulse generator a or b
2. Malfunction of transfer driven gear
3. Malfunction of end clutch retainer
4. Malfunction of rear clutch
5. Noise Generated

Like I said before, it sounds like it's the end clutches. Try the sensors you got, if no help, it's the end clutches.

David.

 

[VinnieDSM]

Ok, but don't you think that it's possible that the computer is spitting out those codes because the sensors are bad... One thing leading to another. The ECM tells the TCM Hey! somethings not right here, I'm picking up a bad sensor better lock the tranny in second gear "Limp In" to save it from any prolblems it's having, then when I had the codes run it was throwing the Gear Ratio codes for gears 1, and 3, beacause it can't go into those gears. Just a thought, maybe I just want to keep thinking it's the sensors, cause when I reset the Computer I can drive it fine until it has enough time to check all the sensors, then BAM it locks it back into second.

 

[dbech77]

You are correct, it IS possible that the problem is caused by just a sensor, the manual does list that as one of a few possible causes. That would be the ideal situation and the cheapest scenario. For your sake I hope that it's just that. I never have too much faith with DSM's when they have problems, they have problems . I still love the cars though, the HP helps me forgive it. Like I said, I suggest you try swapping the sensor, they are not too hard to change, after you do that, reset again, drive it around for a little while (not too hard and leave o/d off) and see what happens. If it drives for a bit and shifts from 1 - 2 - 3 with no problem, then try o/d on. If that works, then your good to go hopefully. If it isn't that, then you have to go to step 2 which is end clutches. Which thankfully can be replaced with the tranny still in the car. It's just time consuming. If you do get to that point, I suggest getting beefed up end clutches since you have an aftermarket turbo.

Good luck,

David.

 

[VinnieDSM]

Thanks for all you help. I'll post again when I install my sensors this weekend. Kevin

 

[dbech77]

Good luck. BTW, how long has it been since you did an ATF flush?

David

 

[VinnieDSM]

Thanks, it's probably been about 2 weeks. I had that done the day after my tranny problem. I just found out that you need change the fluid and filter every 30,000 miles. A while back a friend (Cicic Ricer) told me every 50,000 miles. My car has about 48,000 miles on it right now, I hate Ricers!

 

[dbech77]

Ahhh ricers! Thank God I'll never be one. I'll take my money and spend it on performance parts before I buy a body kit anyday. Couldn't care less whether my radiator hoses match my valve cover. Keep that ATF and filter fresh every 30,000 miles. I don't think that's what caused your problem at all, since you only have 48k, just don't let it happen again . Keep us posted on what happens.

David.

 

[hose101772]

pulse sensor a or b=turbine speed sensor input or output.just put them in,clear the codes,and drive away.keep extra set in glove box,they will never go bad if you have extra set..thats not piles of scrap dsm parts in my garage,its insurance.

 

[VinnieDSM]

SWEEEETTTT!!!! It's fixed it took me about 45 min. to put the two sensors in. What took the longest time was getting all of my IC piping out of the way, I also had to run to Sears to get a 1" deepwell socket. Thanks you guys I had no Idea what to do, but all is well now. Just have to save up and build a bullet-proof tranny now. Kevin

 

[hose101772]

Glad to hear it.As far an upgrade for your tranny,you might look into the 4cyl chrysler vans.

 

[VinnieDSM]

Do those trannys bolt right up? What year and Model? How are they stronger?