I think I just lost my tranny??

[blacklabelbroth]

Ok so I decided to take the awd out in the snow this morning, before I left I checked my tranny fluid, Just cause I do it all the time. I warm the car up and head out for a little fun, so I'm on the highway doing about 55 mph when I notice that my car seems to be running funny. My boost gauge was reading about 11 or 12 psi or so and it just didnt feel like she was pulling like she normally would, but it was snowing so I continued on trying to make my way back home when the car shifted down at about 45 mph by itself. I was not in the gas at all just trying to keep it at a normal rpm when this happened. I had to limp the car back home, about a 15 minute drive and never once did the car shift at all like it is stuck in second gear?? Has this ever happened to anyone?? I have not had a chance to look at it yet because of the blizzard conditions outside. Ideas what to look for would be appreciated

 

[tazndrew04]

when was the last time you changed your tranny fluid?

 

[gsx7707]

not sure what the fix is but if there is a failure in the trans it locks itself in 2nd gear.

 

[blacklabelbroth]

I changed the fulid, filter and gasket in July and it had been running like a champ ever since, and It gave no indication of any problems untill today.

 

[rbwtrans]

You're probably in 3rd. That's considered "limp in". Check your fuses and try to pull the codes from the TCU. Being that your car is a 91, I'd pull the TCU itself and check for cap and board damage. Unfortunately us 1g auto guys have the same problems with our TCU's that we have with our ECU's and that is that the caps leak and eat up our boards. Good luck.

 

[blacklabelbroth]

Cool, I'll check out the tcu thanks for the tips.

 

[the_mork]

Talon, Laser, Eclipse 1G Info DSM This will teach you to pull the tcu codes.

More than likely your transmission itself is fine and there is an issue outside of the transmission causing problems. This could be anything from the tcu to pulse generators to shift solenoids or a number of other things.

The tcu codes will help to determine what is going on so we can help more after we find out what they are.

If there are no codes then the tcu will give you repeated short sweeps. IF the tcu has no output at all then it is bad and you've found your problem.

 

[blacklabelbroth]

Ok my next question is, Where is the tcu?? I have had many awd's that were 5 speed but this is my first automatic, so its all sorta new?

 

[the_mork]

Your tcu is next to your right foot when you're driving in the center console.

That said you don't have much reason to go find your tcu until you've attempted to find your diagnostic codes because they come from the ALDL connector on the far side of the driver's foot well.