Engine-Tranny Problem??

[motitutty]

Hello folks,

My '99 Intrigue started giving me problem two days ago. When I went into the work, I had no problem. But started when I left work. I drove about 10 miles/30 mins and it started...

When the tranny shifts up, its a sluggish. When I come to a stop... its shifts hard. After 20 miles of this, I was in slowing in traffic, the engine shut off. Also the 'Service Engine Soon' light came on.

I pulled into the nearest gas station... checked the tranny oil (it was fine, since I changed it less than 20k ago). And the engine oil was changed two weeks back.

Has anyone had this problem or know anything about my it??

Thanks much,

-M

[Laser17]

i had a similar problem, the check engine light came on and this car made a horrible metallic grinding noise sometimes at parkinglot speeds, and it was a little jumpy, the light stayed on for about 4 days..and then it just went off...and the symptoms went away and haven't been back since...although a day later after the light went off the car shut off while accelerating at 30mph, but it didn't stall it was like someone ripped the key outta the ignition i lost all power radio, gauges, etc...dead...pulled over started up fine and we continued on..no problems since...knocks on wood...

[panzer dragoon]

bring your car in someplace to get those OBD2 codes read. Some places will OBD2 scan your car for free (ask before you bring it in). Or you can get your own good OBD2 scanner for $100 (Equus etc) or so.

That would be the first thing I would do.

Your problem doesn't sound that bad. I would assume it's a tranny problem (the car got to operating temp fine) like the bad or sticky tranny valve.

Get those OBD2 codes read and you will have a starting point to work with. Write down your OBD2 error codes and post them here.

[motitutty]

Originally Posted by panzer dragoon

bring your car in someplace to get those OBD2 codes read. Some places will OBD2 scan your car for free (ask before you bring it in). Or you can get your own good OBD2 scanner for $100 (Equus etc) or so.

That would be the first thing I would do.

Your problem doesn't sound that bad. I would assume it's a tranny problem (the car got to operating temp fine) like the bad or sticky tranny valve.

Get those OBD2 codes read and you will have a starting point to work with. Write down your OBD2 error codes and post them here.

Thanks for the infoz. Where can I get a OBD2 reader?

-M

[panzer dragoon]

http://www.amazon.com/

search for OBD or OBDii
the Equus for $130-100 is pretty good.

But you need to decide if you really want to spend the money, but typically you are charged $50 a hour for auto mechanics now so $100 is cheap. Your engine service lite did go on, so I'm assuming you have some codes being output.

Then I would look into getting an AlldataDIY.com account for $25 a year. But people here have them anyway (alldataDIY accounts) and most of the problems are similiar also. Otherwise the service manual set is usually close to $80-$100.

You could save your money and go to your local auto parts chain and get the codes read for free. Bring the codes back here and then explain your situation as specific as possible. Harbor Freight has the cheapest OBDii (OBD2) reader I have seen for $40-50, but I would still buy the Equus.

You could always borrow out your Equus to friends or charge them to show off your OBD2 code reading ability. My dad has the Equus.

If you are into fixing your cars or want to have a better idea of a problem without getting screwed over by a crappy service dealer (at $50+ an hour) I would get an OBD2 code reader.

[kmohr3]

Actron has a nice OBD2 scanner as well - ranging from about $50 and up. I bought one at PEP Boys for about $225 and got a cable for older GM cars too, for another 25. As Panzer says, if you're gonna be working on newer cars you should have one. Also, they'll work on any car 1996 and on up!

[canatto]

Yeah, I agree with the above posts about starting with having the code scanned. If you have an AutoZone store in your area they may scan it for you for free, if you don't feel you like spending on a scanner at this time. I'm in Canada and we don't have Autozone in this contry, so I bought a scanner 2 years ago. It really paid itself and a lot more since I have two cars.

[panzer dragoon]

Originally Posted by Laser17

i had a similar problem, the check engine light came on and this car made a horrible metallic grinding noise sometimes at parkinglot speeds, and it was a little jumpy, the light stayed on for about 4 days..and then it just went off...and the symptoms went away and haven't been back since...although a day later after the light went off the car shut off while accelerating at 30mph, but it didn't stall it was like someone ripped the key outta the ignition i lost all power radio, gauges, etc...dead...pulled over started up fine and we continued on..no problems since...knocks on wood...

noises like this are seldom good. The tranny on the Intrigue it typical GM hit-or-miss quality. You either got a good one or you have gone through 3 trannys like some on this forum. If my tranny starts to go I will try to trade it in quickly or just part my car out or give it to my dad that has a 99 Intrigue. A rebuilt is $1000 (new about $2000-2500) and to install it by a dealer is about double that ($3000 total). Is my 2000 Intrigue car worth $3000 cash, --barely.

There is a police/taxi version of the 4T65E that is the same price of the regular tranny.

This place sells the hardened overdrive sun gear: $17
http://www.transmissioncenter.net/alto_2.htm

[motitutty]

Originally Posted by panzer dragoon

noises like this are seldom good. The tranny on the Intrigue it typical GM hit-or-miss quality. You either got a good one or you have gone through 3 trannys like some on this forum. If my tranny starts to go I will try to trade it in quickly or just part my car out or give it to my dad that has a 99 Intrigue. A rebuilt is $1000 (new about $2000-2500) and to install it by a dealer is about double that ($3000 total). Is my 2000 Intrigue car worth $3000 cash, --barely.

There is a police/taxi version of the 4T65E that is the same price of the regular tranny.

This place sells the hardened overdrive sun gear: $17
http://www.transmissioncenter.net/alto_2.htm

OKey,

I got my OBDII today and it read Mass Air Flow low voltage. Does this mean my MAF is F'ed? My dad says this might be it. If the engine has problems with its performance tuning, it will cause problems to the tranny.

Sound right? Thoughts?

Regards,

M

[motitutty]

Originally Posted by motitutty

OKey,

I got my OBDII today and it read Mass Air Flow low voltage. Does this mean my MAF is F'ed? My dad says this might be it. If the engine has problems with its performance tuning, it will cause problems to the tranny.

Sound right? Thoughts?

Regards,

M

BTW... I got DTC P0102 'Mass or Volume Air Flow Circuit Low input'

-M

[motitutty]

Does anyone know what the tool is called to open the MAF sensor?

Its a star with a small point in the center.

And where can I get one?

-M

[panzer dragoon]

alldatadiy.com P0102: 2 charts and an electrical schematic also

CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
The Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor measures the amount of air that is ingested by the engine. Direct measurement of air entering the engine is more accurate than calculating airflow from other sensor inputs. The MAF sensor has an ignition feed, a ground, and a signal circuit.

The MAF sensor used on this vehicle is a hot wire type and is used to measure air flow rate. The frequency of the MAF sensor signal is a function of the power required to keep the air flow sensing elements at a fixed temperature above ambient temperature. Air flowing through the sensor cools the sensing elements. The amount of cooling is proportional to the amount of air flow. As air flow increases, a greater amount of current is required to maintain the hot wire at a constant temperature. The MAF sensor converts the changes in current draw to a frequency signal read by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) . The frequency typically varies from about 2 KHz at idle to about 10 KHz at maximum engine load. The PCM calculates air flow based on this signal.

The PCM monitors the MAF sensor signal frequency and can determine if the sensor signal voltage is too low, too high, or not indicating the expected airflow for a given operating condition.

CONDITIONS FOR RUNNING THE DTC

• The engine is running.
• The Throttle Position (TP) angle is less than 50 percent.
• The system voltage is more than 8 volts.
• The Idle Air Control (IAC) is above 2 counts

CONDITIONS FOR SETTING THE DTC

• The Mass Air Flow (MAF) signal frequency is less than 1200 Hertz.
• The above conditions are present for approximately 2 seconds .

ACTION TAKEN WHEN THE DTC SETS

• The PCM illuminates the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) on the second consecutive ignition cycle that the diagnostic runs and fails.
• The PCM records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The first time the diagnostic fails, the PCM stores this information in the Failure Records. If the diagnostic reports a failure on the second consecutive ignition cycle, the PCM records the operating conditions at the time of the failure. The PCM writes the conditions to the Freeze Frame and updates the Failure Records.

The PCM calculates an airflow value based on idle air control valve position, throttle position, RPM and barometric pressure.

CONDITIONS FOR CLEARING THE MIL/DTC

• The PCM turns the MIL OFF after three consecutive drive trips during which the diagnostic runs and passes.
• A last test failed, or the current DTC, clears when the diagnostic runs and passes.
• A History DTC clears after forty consecutive warm-up cycles, if no other emission related diagnostic failures are reported.
• Use a scan tool in order to clear the MIL diagnostic trouble code.
• Interrupting the PCM battery voltage may or may not clear DTCs. This practice is not recommended. Refer to Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Description, Clearing Diagnostic Trouble Codes.

DIAGNOSTIC AIDS

NOTE: Refer to Connector Test Adapter Kit J 35616-A Notice in Service Precautions.

A low minimum air rate can cause DTC P0102 to be set during deceleration. Check the minimum air rate as follows:

1. Run the engine until the engine is fully warm- above 85°C (185°F) .
2. Disconnect the IAC.
3. Install a J 37027-A IAC System Monitor.
4. With the engine idling, command the IAC valve to the fully extended position (0 counts).
5. With the IAC fully extended, observe the mass air flow reading on the scan tool.
6. Check for conditions that can cause a low minimum air rate, including throttle bore and throttle plate coking if the mass air flow reading is less than 2.27 g/sec.
7. If the minimum air rate is less than specifications, clean or replace the throttle body as necessary.
8. Check for a plugged intake air duct or filter element. A wide-open throttle acceleration from a stop should cause the mass air flow displayed on a scan tool to increase from about 4-7 gm/s at idle to 100 gm/s or more at the time of the 1-2 shift. If not, check for a restriction. If DTC P0102 cannot be duplicated, the information included in the Fail Records data can be useful in determining vehicle mileage since the DTC was last set. This may assist in diagnosing the condition. If the problem is intermittent, refer to Intermittent Conditions. See: Diagnosis By Symptom\Intermittent Conditions

TEST DESCRIPTION
Numbers below refer to the step numbers on the Diagnostic Table:

1. This step verifies that the problem is present at idle.

1. A voltage reading of less than 4 or more than 6 volts at the MAF sensor signal circuit indicates a malfunction in the wiring or a poor connection.
2. Verifies that ignition feed voltage and a good ground are available at the MAF sensor.

1. This vehicle is equipped with a PCM which utilizes an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) . When the PCM is being replaced, the new PCM must be programmed.