auto transmission troubles

[dsmgirl17]

so..my car is a 91 awd auto
and it has been shifting hard, and not shifting when it should, and overdrive doesnt work most of the time, unless i turn off o/d then turn it back on- then it will shift into o/d.
also, when i go to a stop it will shift really hard and its getting worse
so if anyone knows what could be going on with it please let me know

another thing, i pulled the car onto a trailer and when i pressed the brake it made a really loud clanking noise.

my friends think its the torque converter but im not sure. ive been thinking the end clutches are going.. it has a weird smell sometimes too

 

[Bud92gsx]

The car is dead, 200$ cash money right now for the car.

 

[constant_proj21]

It sounds like you have a bad trans. Pretty plain and simple . Mis-shifts, clunking into gear, all signs of a trans thats done for.

 

[WillRaceForBeer]

You HAVE checked the transmission fluid level (car warmed up and in neutral) haven't you?

 

[DSM1G90]

And you're using ATF+4 or SPII fluids, for any other will kill the tranny... as for the O/D, it could be the end clutches are going out and these are repairable with leaving the tranny in the car.

Worse case scenario is that the tranny is on its last legs.

 

[dsmgirl17]

the trans fluid is good, perfect level and looks good
i dont know if its the trans ### its not slipping. maybe the tcu?

 

[WillRaceForBeer]

If it were me, I'd do the end clutch upgrade and drop the valve body out for a thorough cleaning. I would also install a shift kit (if not already installed). I would put it all back together with a new trans filter and fluid, and hope for the best. If it still had issues, time for a new trans. BTW there are some things on the valve body that can be adjusted... and you could also test the solenoids while the valve body is dropped

 

[Doubleot]

OD is probably your end clutches slipping.

I'd drop the pan and see if you can visibly find any shavings.

Worst case, Replace the transmission and do the shift kit and end clutch kit before you drop in the replacement.

 

[jrohner]

You're checking the fluid in neutral NOT park right?

 

[pats16valve]

Test the solenoids for sure, the clunking almost sounds like a cracked or broken flexplate. My converter likes to unbolt itself every so often, and it sounds like the world is going to end when it does. PM if you'd like I'm not far from you. I could come by and take a look at it.

 

[dsmgirl17]

thanks for all the responses!! Now, if i drop the pan, won't all the fluid come out of the trans? If so that would be really bad since your not supposed to change the fluid in an auto trans after a certain amount of miles!
This might sound dumb to you, but I suck at auto transmissions, where are the end clutches?
Also, where do i go to order the end clutches, and around how much will they cost me? And what kind of shift kit should i install?
I know i checked the fluid correctly, i shifted through all the gears then put it in neutral after i had been driving it around, so it was all warmed up!

 

[bryanwheat]

You can most certainly change the fluid in an old transmission. That is just a theory that some people have and it is in no way true. It sounds like you have more problems than just end clutches.

 

[dsmgirl17]

I really just want to replace the dang thing! But i am having the worst time finding another automatic transmission. And there are a few manual trans' but i need the full swap! Not sure what else to do but replace it, since i cant diagnose automatic transmissions

 

[ktgurl87]

You obviously can't read either. These people are TELLING you what to look for. Don't expect them to take pity just because you're a girl. Just read, take notes, and test what you're being told to find out what's wrong. If it were me, I'd spend the $140-ish for fluid and filter and the end clutch set than buy a whole new transmission.

 

[WillRaceForBeer]

thanks for all the responses!! Now, if i drop the pan, won't all the fluid come out of the trans? If so that would be really bad since your not supposed to change the fluid in an auto trans after a certain amount of miles!
This might sound dumb to you, but I suck at auto transmissions, where are the end clutches?
Also, where do i go to order the end clutches, and around how much will they cost me? And what kind of shift kit should i install?
I know i checked the fluid correctly, i shifted through all the gears then put it in neutral after i had been driving it around, so it was all warmed up!

How many miles on this car/trans?

Yes dropping the pan drops the fluid. If the fluid is still good (red, not burnt) you could try to save it by draining into a good container before you drop the pan, and straining the fluid later with a fluid filter... some people will argue against this, but wasting good fluid sucks.

End clutch is on the end of the trans, passenger side. If you pull the passenger side wheel and then the engine bay shroud, you can open up the end clutch cover.

End clutch and shift kit can be ordered from IPT trans. (IPT Performance Transmissions | Performance Parts | Torque Converters)

That sounds about correct for checking the fluid.

A partially broken flex plate would not affect shifting, just makes a ton of noise.

If you go the garage repair route, I strongly suggest either checking the shift solenoids or replacing them all together. You will have to do some research on how to test them or how to replace them.

 

[dsmgirl17]

wow ok im not looking for pity, i don't see why you have to be cruel. i have been reading and taking notes, and researching the crap out of this stuff. i don't think because i'm a girl that i should be treated differently, i went to technical college! so please don't talk to me like i'm being ignorant! and i will take your advice, this weekend ill do a filter, fluid, and end clutches.

this car has 128k on the motor and trans
and i will be checking those end clutches before ordering them obviously!
thank you everyone for all your help!

 

[WillRaceForBeer]

this car has 128k on the motor and trans
and i will be checking those end clutches before ordering them obviously!
thank you everyone for all your help!

I'm not sure of others experiences, but my original trans locked up at 80k (probably was not maintained by previous owners).

My point is that 128k is a lot of mileage on the stock trans and if it wasn't maintained than it could easily be on it's way out. You'll find out more about it's condition when you break it open!

 

[DSM1G90]

...And, look into putting an external tranny cooler after all is done. This'll keep the fluid a bit more cooler than passing the fluid through the radiator .. and last a lot longer too since heat will kill any tranny.

 

[talonripper]

if you haven't found a trans yet.....look up engine and trans world. i got a transmission for $1k from them and it only had 34k miles on it. so far so good. My transmission had no reverse and was not shifting out of 2nd gear and had a hard time finding one. They had one to me in 2weeks and were great to deal with.

 

[dsmgirl17]

...And, look into putting an external tranny cooler after all is done. This'll keep the fluid a bit more cooler than passing the fluid through the radiator .. and last a lot longer too since heat will kill any tranny.

that is great advice i will look up info about that after i fix this trans.

I'm not sure of others experiences, but my original trans locked up at 80k (probably was not maintained by previous owners).

My point is that 128k is a lot of mileage on the stock trans and if it wasn't maintained than it could easily be on it's way out. You'll find out more about it's condition when you break it open!

thanks! that sounds about right. i think i will be tearing it apart this weekend and most likely ordering clutches. hopefully a filter, clutches and a good cleaning will help her live a little longer, but if not i'll have to again start the never ending search for a 1g awd auto transmission! haha

...or just do the manual swap like i want to since i dont drag race her

thank ya'll so much for the help!!!!

 

[dsmgirl17]

i fixed it...ha-ha i feel dumb. but the day i 'thought' my transmission started acting up, the crappy rigged radiator fan switch that someone wired up set the in line fuse on fire..so i didn't have a radiator fan and obviously the transmission was overheating..no air to the cooler. ha! as soon as i finally fixed the fan the RIGHT way (with a ground for the switch that was suspiciously missing) i haven't had any more issues. seems obvious now but oh well! i learned a lot about auto transmissions and about always starting with the small stuff...ugh. THANKS!