2G 2G Auto - No 1st gear?

[Dryppical]

Hello all.

I decided to take my 1997 Eclipse GSX for a test drive today after fixing a lot of boost leaks and finding my wastegate actuator wasn’t closing all the way so resulting in no boost.

When I pulled it out of the garage and started going forward. The things a dog. I floor it and I’m moving but not very fast. The speedometer also doesn’t register until 15-20mph. Just seems like it’s starting out in second. After I get to like 20mph it seems to do just fine.

Can I drop the pan and see if anything’s wrong or maybe something’s out of adjustment? I was doing a flush and wanted to get the fluids moving and replace them again along with filters. The car was sitting for a long time so I just want to make sure it’s all clean.

 

[evil_eagletalon]

Is the car on a TCU? I just had the same issue on my 1g and it was being caused by no power to solenoid. Have someone sit in car in drive while you check voltages at valvebody connector.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

It sounds like it is in LIMP mode. When the TCU doesn't have power or it has a problem, the trans will only work in P, R, N and D, no 1st or 2nd. Per your description of how it takes off, it sounds like you have an issue with the transmission computer. Their capacitors leak and go bad just like our ECU's do.

 

[CrackedDSM]

Pretty confident it’s stuck in limp mode as well. Either due to dead TCU or some other issue.

Search on how to install a couple toggle switches and make your own shift box to test it out. If it works then you can either get the tcu repaired or go with a forcedfour shift box.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

The caps in the TCU can be replaced just like our ECU's. The man I bought my 92 auto from did his own repair on the TCU by replacing 2 or 3 caps and it worked fine when I drove the car home.

 

[CrackedDSM]

The caps in the TCU can be replaced just like our ECU's. The man I bought my 92 auto from did his own repair on the TCU by replacing 2 or 3 caps and it worked fine when I drove the car home.

If they haven’t damaged other components, yes. But if that acid just sat there for years and ate into the board, or got into the wrong part(s) it may need some serious repair.

Easier to throw some toggle switches in there with some vampire clips and see for sure “okay trans is fine” or “oof trans is shot”.

 

[evil_eagletalon]

I run mine on a forced four oem shifter ratchet style. So i have to manually shift the shift lever from 1-2-3 and O/D is on a toggle

 

[CrackedDSM]

I run mine on a forced four oem shifter ratchet style. So i have to manually shift the shift lever from 1-2-3 and O/D is on a toggle

On a 1G you can wire OD into the eco/power switch for a sneaky/cleaner look if you don’t go ratchet.

 

[evil_eagletalon]

On a 1G you can wire OD into the eco/power switch for a sneaky/cleaner look if you don’t go ratchet.

Wish i knew that i already drilled the toggles into the gear indicator.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[Dryppical]

I believe you guys are right that it’s stuck in limp mode, I have another tcu that came with the car so I’ll just swap those and see what happens if it’s even good

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

If they haven’t damaged other components, yes. But if that acid just sat there for years and ate into the board, or got into the wrong part(s) it may need some serious repair.

Easier to throw some toggle switches in there with some vampire clips and see for sure “okay trans is fine” or “oof trans is shot”.

Yes, it would depend on how long the issue has been present. If you have ever worked on circuit boards then, yes, look around for bad traces or corroded solder joints close to where the capacitors are located.
That "used" to be what I did for a living before I went to work for the "Guvment" (and that is coming to and end also, soon).

 

[Dryppical]

Well guys, I did some more looking and research. I read something about having some connectors swapped around for the solenoids and lo and behold. The previous owner didn’t color match the connectors. It seems problem is fixed

 

[evil_eagletalon]

Nice mark this as RESOLVED marty.
@Dryppical please post a picture of findings for future fellas.

 

[Dryppical]

I originally swapped out my TCU for the other one and same result which brought me to do some more research and I read about the plugs possibly being swapped. Previous owner put in the engine and transmission and had already mismatched connectors.

First pic is the correct connectors connected and the second one is the original connector plugged in. Wires were not matched on connectors

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[Dryppical]

Alright guys, maybe I didn’t fix it. From 0-60 the car only shifts one time so something’s not right. The transmission also shifts really hard

 

[Dryppical]

I am pretty positive it is 3rd and 4th gear that I have. It’s around 2k at 60mph. The shift lever also won’t go to L so I can’t test the manual gears

 

[Dryppical]

Well, I figured out the shifter issue. The white plastic thing was screwed in too far not allowing it to drop down. When in 2 or l it acts the same like it’s in drive. It will shift on its own and not hold the gear. Probably doesn’t because it doesn’t have 1st or 2nd