john99gtp Posted September 6, 2003 Report Share Posted September 6, 2003 I tried searching, but couldnt come up with an answer to his one, so im gonna ask the experts When taking off (whether like a grandma or driving it like i stole it), my tranny seems fine. It shifts smoothly, with no hints of problems. However, when im crusing at 55 or over, and let off the gas, I feel a jolt. Its not me, my friends can feel it too. When slowing down, its there too. I cant feel it go from 4th to 3rd, or 3rd to 2nd. But when Im about 20mph, it drops into first. I mean, you can hear it and feel it. It drops hard. Just wondering what I should do. Thanks John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robby1870 Posted September 6, 2003 Report Share Posted September 6, 2003 If its at 20mph, its downshifting from 3rd to 2nd, not to first. I think the downshift to first is around 12mph. Oh, and I can hear and feel mine downshift from 3rd to 2nd at 20mph. It has always done this, and I have never had any problems because of it. If you dont hear grinding, I think you're fine. And the jolt when you let off at 55mph is prolly the torque converter disengaging. Robby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john99gtp Posted September 7, 2003 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2003 ok. from 3rd to 2nd, whatever but its hard, and theres nothing wrong? thats a relief. i was scared one of these days its gonna drop on me How do you know if the torque converter is like fully engaged or whatnot. To tell you the truth, i dont even know what it does John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phantomFE3 Posted September 7, 2003 Report Share Posted September 7, 2003 i have the same thing. when i let er rip on the highway at a certain speed there is a HUGE jolt, mainly because something with the speed and the gear its supposed to kick down into and its almost like it downshifting into a waay lower gear than it should be. but after i get goin, like around 50 or 60 and floor it it shifts down smoothly into a lower gear. i havent had the problem with slowing down or anything, but when i let off the gas there is a slight jolt once in a while. so ya, i think your in the clear. but you might want to check yours tranmission fluid and maybe have that changed, just to make sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john99gtp Posted September 7, 2003 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2003 how often should that be changed? I bought the car when it had 66,000, and it has 99,150. Only thing i have done is oil changes, that is all. Also, since I dont know the service history before i got it, should I get a tuneup? John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robby1870 Posted September 7, 2003 Report Share Posted September 7, 2003 I'll explain basically what a torque converter does. Its a fluid coupling that allows the engine to spin *almost* freely from the trans when at idle. It has 3 (4 if it has TCC) main parts, one part is connected to the engine, one part to the trans, the stator is b/n the two, then if the tranny is equipped to be a lock up tranny, then there is part to lock up it up. It limits how fast the tranny turns, based on fast the engine is turning. Once you are off idle, the engine and trans start spinning closer to the same speed. Once the both are spinning at the same speed, the Torque Converter will lockup. This allows for a more efficient transmission. The torque converter will lock up around 35 mph, when you are in 3rd gear, and stay locked up until you let off the gas or hit the brakes. I would change the fluid if I were you, since you dont know the history of the car. Its pushing 100K, and odds are that is the factory fluid. I think you are supposed to change it like every 30K or something, I really dont know though. I try to change mine every 20K to ensure it shifts clean and crisp and lasts a long time. Hope that helps Robby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian89gp Posted September 7, 2003 Report Share Posted September 7, 2003 http://auto.howstuffworks.com/torque-converter.htm Which engine do you have? If you got the 3.1 then unplug the torque converter plug on the front of the transmission, if the problem dissapears then that is your problem. A torque converter is just a fluid coupling. Without lockup the transmission input shaft will never spin as fast as the engine. What your experiencing sounds like a sticky torque converter lockup solonoid. When you let off of the gas it should disengage instantly, but in your case it isn't. If this is the problem on sudden stops you may experience stalling or near stalling because the torque converter can't disengage fast enough. Oh, the torque converter is never locked up when shifting, at least on a 4t60e. The 440t4 I imagine it can happen but its unlikely. A shift with the converter locked feels like its gonna rip a kidney out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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