atx1
Probationary Member
- 3
- 3
- Sep 22, 2023
-
California
Hello all, thanks spending the time reading this, I think I have a plan of action but have a few questions.
Vehicle: 1994 Expo Lrv, with a the 2.4L motor, FWD, Auto F4a23 transmission, 159k miles. I've owned the car since 150k.
I was told the trans was rebuilt at 100k, but don't have details
Symptom: The transmission has been working well up until the last few hundred miles and only on occasion. If I drive with gentle acceleration between 30-45mph, the trans seems to not be able to decide if it wants to be in 2nd or 3rd gear. Example is consecutive stop lights with stop, accelerate to 40, than brake again for the next.
I experienced harsh downshifts in these situations maybe 3-4x, and at one point when I came to a complete stop, the car shuttered, almost died.
I was concerned, so at this point I did a ATF fluid change with new filter, I did not find any concerning in the pan / pan magnets, I used Mitsubishi SP3 ATF fluid, and have it properly filled. The car seemed to be a little better, still some hunting in the 30-45mph range with gentle acceleration.
A few days ago, I accelerated to 40mph, to a quick stop at a stop light, the car seemed to stay in gear, shuttered and died. I put it in park, restarted it with no issue, and drove it home.
I took it out one more time, coming from about 45mph to a quick stop, the car seemed as if it stayed in gear again at the stop, shuttered, and engine died. I noticed only the oil dash light popped up when the car had died. No check engine light at any point.
No check engine light: I did the multimeter test on the 16pin OBD1 or OBD1.5 style connector, and had a steady blinking light, so to my understanding now code is being thrown. Is there hidden codes I would need a MUT scanner to see?
I feel like I haven't really had slipping issues, the car goes into P, N, D, R, and 1,2,3,4 and OD, so my thoughts are its solenoids or electronics. Here's my thoughts
My guess:
I believe its most likely a shift solenoid, based off my research, specifically the torque converter clutch solenoid, I think if this was clogged up/not releasing properly, or responding incorrectly that would cause car at stop to stay locked. Maybe around the speed im getting the weird shifts is when the TCC is engaging/disengaging?
Is it possible the solenoid is failing but not showing a check engine light?
I was going to try and click test the solenoids before pulling the VB, and accessing the solenoids directly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2iHLX2rGI0&list=LL this is the video I was looking at but was going to use the car battery? Listen for clicks, anything odd?
For replacing solenoids, is it best to find used working ones, buy new?
The other things I was thinking I could look into are the
TCM - I was going to pull it out, make sure all the connections are looking good, look for anything out of the ordinary or burnt.
Speed Sensor - My speedo works but the needle does shake/bounce
Thanks again for the read, been learning a ton with this car, and trying to keep it on the road!
Vehicle: 1994 Expo Lrv, with a the 2.4L motor, FWD, Auto F4a23 transmission, 159k miles. I've owned the car since 150k.
I was told the trans was rebuilt at 100k, but don't have details
Symptom: The transmission has been working well up until the last few hundred miles and only on occasion. If I drive with gentle acceleration between 30-45mph, the trans seems to not be able to decide if it wants to be in 2nd or 3rd gear. Example is consecutive stop lights with stop, accelerate to 40, than brake again for the next.
I experienced harsh downshifts in these situations maybe 3-4x, and at one point when I came to a complete stop, the car shuttered, almost died.
I was concerned, so at this point I did a ATF fluid change with new filter, I did not find any concerning in the pan / pan magnets, I used Mitsubishi SP3 ATF fluid, and have it properly filled. The car seemed to be a little better, still some hunting in the 30-45mph range with gentle acceleration.
A few days ago, I accelerated to 40mph, to a quick stop at a stop light, the car seemed to stay in gear, shuttered and died. I put it in park, restarted it with no issue, and drove it home.
I took it out one more time, coming from about 45mph to a quick stop, the car seemed as if it stayed in gear again at the stop, shuttered, and engine died. I noticed only the oil dash light popped up when the car had died. No check engine light at any point.
No check engine light: I did the multimeter test on the 16pin OBD1 or OBD1.5 style connector, and had a steady blinking light, so to my understanding now code is being thrown. Is there hidden codes I would need a MUT scanner to see?
I feel like I haven't really had slipping issues, the car goes into P, N, D, R, and 1,2,3,4 and OD, so my thoughts are its solenoids or electronics. Here's my thoughts
My guess:
I believe its most likely a shift solenoid, based off my research, specifically the torque converter clutch solenoid, I think if this was clogged up/not releasing properly, or responding incorrectly that would cause car at stop to stay locked. Maybe around the speed im getting the weird shifts is when the TCC is engaging/disengaging?
Is it possible the solenoid is failing but not showing a check engine light?
I was going to try and click test the solenoids before pulling the VB, and accessing the solenoids directly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2iHLX2rGI0&list=LL this is the video I was looking at but was going to use the car battery? Listen for clicks, anything odd?
For replacing solenoids, is it best to find used working ones, buy new?
The other things I was thinking I could look into are the
TCM - I was going to pull it out, make sure all the connections are looking good, look for anything out of the ordinary or burnt.
Speed Sensor - My speedo works but the needle does shake/bounce
Thanks again for the read, been learning a ton with this car, and trying to keep it on the road!
