1991 Eclipse transmission problem

[Airtronicsman]

My son has a 1991 Eclipse with an automatic transmission. The tranny will not pull. The pressure relief and shift solenoids test good, (test within range when tested with an ohm meter and make an auditable click when tested with a 12 volt lead.) I am only getting 4.5 volts to the plug at the transmission.

Any ideas as to what could be causing this problem?

David

 

[bryanwheat]

IT it won't move the car at all than the clutch packs are burnt up or the pump is bad. IT will still go into 3rd and reverse even without the electronics hooked up.

 

[Airtronicsman]

IT it won't move the car at all than the clutch packs are burnt up or the pump is bad. IT will still go into 3rd and reverse even without the electronics hooked up.

It is really strange, sometimes, it will pull strong, but after it is shifted out of and back into gear, it quits pulling.

I have pulled the pan and it has does not have any pieces in it.

 

[EagleT2000]

It is really strange, sometimes, it will pull strong, but after it is shifted out of and back into gear, it quits pulling.

I have pulled the pan and it has does not have any pieces in it.

When you were in there did you change the filter? My car had very similar behavior to what you are describing, I changed the fluid and the filter and
it ran like new again. That filter was pretty stopped up,
(could hardly pull fluid through).

Hows the filter in that thing?

 

[Airtronicsman]

When you were in there did you change the filter? My car had very similar behavior to what you are describing, I changed the fluid and the filter and
it ran like new again. That filter was pretty stopped up,
(could hardly pull fluid through).

Hows the filter in that thing?

Not sure, I am getting ready to pull the filter.

I am just concerned about only having 4.5 volts at the shift solenoid plug at the transmission.

 

[DSM1G90]

Could be an ECU issue..

 

[Airtronicsman]

Could be an ECU issue..

how can I check the ECU?

 

[bryanwheat]

As i said before, the transmission will go in gear every time all the time even if there is an electronic issue. It is called limp mode. IF it doesn't go into limp mode than the tranny has internal issues.

 

[Airtronicsman]

As i said before, the transmission will go in gear every time all the time even if there is an electronic issue. It is called limp mode. IF it doesn't go into limp mode than the tranny has internal issues.

Yep, you are correct. I pulled the filter and CLEANED the oil pan. There are some fine metal particles in the pan, the filter is plugged and I found what looks like a piece of a seal in the pan.

looks like the tranny is toast Now the question is; was the issue caused by low voltage to the transmission controls?

 

[EagleT2000]

Not sure, I am getting ready to pull the filter.

I am just concerned about only having 4.5 volts at the shift solenoid plug at the transmission.

Yea definitely look at that filter Just don't over tighten those bolts whatever you do.
I believe the torque spec is 48 to 60 in-lbs.

 

[bryanwheat]

Not likely, it is likely caused by heat and poor fluid change intervals.

 

[DSM1G90]

This is where I wished that Mitsu (and other makes) put an external tranny cooler in the system instead of sending the fluid through the radiator.

For when you get overheating and boilovers in the radiator, the fluid suffers as well, but that's added cost and manufacture time to add a separate cooler.

But, one can still do an add-on cooler install to help prevent any overheating of the fluid.

 

[obsidian]

Just replace the filter and refill the trans and see what happens. Don't judge it being dead until you've tried everything.

Seriously, new filter and new fluid and see what happens. If it doesn't work then you wasted what, $30? If it does work then you just saved a boat load more than that.

 

[DSM1G90]

And make sure that you're using SP-II or ATF+4 fluids .. (even AMSOIL Universal Tranny Fluid is GREAT..but spendy), for any other red stuff will definitely cause you to have the tranny rebuilt.

 

[Tha Fella Dylan]

Hey, pardon me for cutting in on your thread but I'm replacing the fluids on my auto too. I bought atf +4 valvoline for Chrysler engines. If mine is just a 420a will that fluid be ok?

 

[DSM1G90]

Yep, since you got a Chrysler Tranny ... ATF+4 tranny fluid is what you need.

 

[thomcasey]

This is where I wished that Mitsu (and other makes) put an external tranny cooler in the system instead of sending the fluid through the radiator.

For when you get overheating and boilovers in the radiator, the fluid suffers as well, but that's added cost and manufacture time to add a separate cooler.

But, one can still do an add-on cooler install to help prevent any overheating of the fluid.

I know the AWD's came with an external cooler (my 91 has one, bolted to the cross-member, between the bumper and the AC/Radiator). I removed mine and bought a new radiator with the built in cooler. I will run it that way (no racing) until I can fab up some new lines and mounts to move it the the SMIC location. It is impossible to mount the external cooler in the stock location when running a FMIC, they get in the way of one another.