gsx auto wont come out of 3rd gear

[eclitz88]

Alright so I have a bit of a problem. I have a 91 eclipse gsx Auto Trans, and from what I hear it's in limp mode.. it just started doing this yesterday after I converted it to rwd by taking out the front axels. But I left the part of the axels with the c clips in the Trans so fluid won't go everywhere. So I was doing some burnouts, all was good. Went to take off and she wouldn't built boost, then I realized that from a dead stop, the car would stay in 3RD gear, even if I would put the gear shifter into 1St-2nd. Its always in third! please tell me its a senor or an easy fix?

 

[tgz1dsm]

Alright so I have a bit of a problem. I have a 91 eclipse gsx Auto Trans, and from what I hear it's in limp mode.. it just started doing this yesterday after I converted it to rwd by taking out the front axels. But I left the part of the axels with the c clips in the Trans so fluid won't go everywhere. So I was doing some burnouts, all was good. Went to take off and she wouldn't built boost, then I realized that from a dead stop, the car would stay in 3RD gear, even if I would put the gear shifter into 1St-2nd. Its always in third! please tell me its a senor or an easy fix?

sounds like a problem maybe the syncos?

 

[Bud92gsx]

sounds like a problem maybe the syncos?

Auto's dont have syncros.


Is it stuck in 3rd gear like you take off in third gear too? If the answer is yes, you most likely have a bad tcu.

 

[KAOI]

Sounds like you're in limp mode. Like bud said ^^ check your TCU.

 

[eclitz88]

Yes it starts out in 3rd gear also.
Thanks everyone!
Now how do i go about checking/ replacing the TCU? Im really machanicly inclined can i do it myself?

 

[Bud92gsx]

The tcu will be behind the ecu..Which is also behind the radio..It easiest to go in from passenger side..

If this thread goes long enough you may find someone who will pm you that has a good tcu.

Starts out in third gear.Yeah your tcu is shot, thats called limp mode..Just for fun tho, have you checked the fuse?

 

[blackrosenova40]

Dont listen to anybody telling you its your tcu. Specific transmission codes will send you into only reverse and third (limp mode) because the malfunction will not allow the computer to make accurate shifts based on sensors/solenoids. Now there is a chance you tcu is bad but not likely. CHECK CODES FIRST!

 

[Bud92gsx]

Ohhh yeah cause I have not dealt with the same issue/problem before your right..I have no buisness talking aboot automatics do I..Damm, Well op back to the drawing board I guess.

 

[eclitz88]

Ive been really busy working. So i just drove it home and parked it. What fuse should a check? And im open to any sugestions. Im just hoping my tranny isnt shot ya know. If its a fuse i would ###### shit. Lol

 

[Bud92gsx]

The tranny isn't shot..Its the fuse that says a/t in the kick panal fuse box..Could just be the fuse..Otherwise it's the tcu..

That minnsodian was just talking shit.Thats ok.

 

[GDNF2ET]

Did you weld the center dif up ? Did you unplug any of the harness while changing it to rwd ?
I was just talking about doing this a couple weeks ago to see if it would brake boost any different..I hope you get it sorted out...

 

[eclitz88]

ok ill check the fuse, and keep everyone updated. Alls i did was, I took out the front cv axles, by taking that metal ring that holds the boot on (so the inner cupplers would still be in the transmission)..then took a 4in grade eight bolt with washers and lock washers( torqued them to 150foot lbs) to hold the hub and the bearings in place...i only did this project because my drivers side cv axle was going out. so i figured why the hell not... sure id love to roast some tires and get sideways. but i do admit i love awd when im drifting on gravel going about 60mph

 

[Lou98GSX]

start by checking for codes don't jump around looking for other things .

 

[19awd93]

If you need a tcu I have extras but they're hard to come by and not super cheap

 

[Eclipse Freak]

ok i have the same problem yes it could be a fuse or tcu if you dont find a blown fuse look at your tcu and look for a burn mark or one of the caps spewing its inside all over your board. Look closely at the larger ones as then tend to go first haha in that case a cheaper solution is a shift box, that what I plan to do.
Good luck buddy

 

[Bud92gsx]

There is this almost free mod to find out if it's something in the trans or just the tcu.. http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-drivetrain/320324-homemade-shifter-automatic.html

 

[blackrosenova40]

Limp mode can be anything from a bad solenoid, bad speed sensor, no power to the tcu, or a bad tcu. If you want to assume the worst without seeing if the tcu has codes that would tell you exactly what the problem is, go ahead.

 

[eclitz88]

what do i need to do to scan for codes.?

 

[blackrosenova40]

TCU Codes

Read through that, it will give you a good idea on what do.

Did you mess with any transmisoin connectors when you did your modifications?

 

[njclimber36]

Here is a good link for Auto DSMs.
Automatic Dsm's

Also, ITP (Import Performance Transmissions) has great forums on DSM autos.
IPT Performance Transmissions • Index page
Read their forums for everything you could ever need to know. Transdude seems to be the master at these transmissions, any reply from him is solid. Good luck, and please post what the problem was when you get it worked out.

 

[eclitz88]

thanks everyone. no i didnt mess with anything besides taking out the CV axels.. ill look at the links and post when i find out what the problem was..

 

[eclitz88]

Follow up! It's alive and shifts just like before.
Ok so I hooked up a shifter box.
accidentally shorted out the blue with black tracers wires, that's coming from the TCU. it popped the fuse in the driver side kick panel. Replaced it
switches still did not turn on, power for the switches were coming from the blue with black tracer wires on the TCU.
so I tapped into a 12 volt source, linked with the fuse and connected to the blue with black tracer wires. Took it for a ride and didn't have to use the switches at all! It shifted through every gear on it's own and even when I put the pedal to the floor, it down shifted to the gear it was supposed to. Some kind of miracle, thanks everyone for all your help, I would have never figured it out, if it wasn't for you guys.
send the info out to everyone that is in limp mode!

 

[GDNF2ET]

Now that thats done with, how does it react when you brake boost it ? What turbo do you have ?

 

[eclitz88]

Doesn't Brake boost as good as AWD. I have the evo 3 big 16G. When i start to gain boost the tires start turning. But moving about 10 mph and then put it to the floor it gets it no doubt.

 

[GDNF2ET]

Doesn't Brake boost as good as AWD. I have the evo 3 big 16G. When i start to gain boost the tires start turning. But moving about 10 mph and then put it to the floor it gets it no doubt.

Are you saying that it is not as good because the car starts to move sooner, or the car doesn't brake boost as fast ?

If this could work out, more rotating weight could be removed from the trans, skinny wheels up front, run any gear you want in the rear end, and run any tire size on the back with no regards to whats on the front....
The rear end would have to be replaced with something stronger soon....