need help trans

fordfanwv · 04-07-2007, 11:39 PM

i bought a 1995 isuzu rodeo yesterday and everything was fine now on the dash
my check trans and 2 other lights are on to and my trans is not shifting it wants to shift but will not so any ideas will help

Ramblin Fever · 04-08-2007, 01:41 AM

What are the 2 other lights??

I can almost guarantee you your alternator's failing - it's not a tranny issue.

These trucks are voltage happy and will do everything short of spitting parts out literally, to make you aware of the fact that they are NOT happy without their jolt requirements. Seriously!

What I highly recommend is inquiring upon a Bosch, Napa, or OEM Isuzu Alternator - you're most likely going to spend upwards of $190-230 for a good alternator.

Do not waste your time with any old reman alternator or you will be replacing it within 3-4 months time, if it even makes it 2 blocks I'd be surprized.

Many Isuzu owners have been falsely told that their tranny's are shot, only to spend $1-2k and wind up in the same boat. So, trust me when I say, try a new alternator first, clean up all voltage contact points while you're doing that too.

Ramblin Fever · 04-08-2007, 01:43 AM

Forgot to add: your tranny is NOT shifting because the truck powers-down, if you will, when the alternator's going bad; these tranny's require the right amount of volts to shift.

If you have to drive the truck, I highly suggest to do it only during the day, and do not use other accessories - and try to do something quick, I'm not sure if the tranny CAN get damaged by trying to shift without the power to do so.

trooperbc · 04-08-2007, 01:44 AM

it's probably the charging circuit, and probably the alternator.
first check all wires and connections at the battery and at the alternator and grounds. and also the belt.
you have typical symptoms of a failed or failing alternator, which inclulde multiple dash idiot lights and sometimes automatic trans symptoms.
this auto trans has a very narrow window of acceptable voltage, either under or over, and it gets snotty because the trans computer senses an electrical/electronic problem and puts the trans into limp mode to protect the electronic components from possible problems until resolved.

edit add: just saw ramblin's posts which we were doing at the same time: driving in limp mode is considered fine since the computer has shut down the electronics, the 'manual' shifting is fine to do. but of course you want to do the alternator asap so's not to get stranded.

//bc

fordfanwv · 04-10-2007, 08:29 PM

ok you all asked about some more info so here it is the lights that flash on and off are a/t oil temp, power drive, winter drive, check trans

one trans guy said it sounds like a short or a bad ground
another trans guy said the trans or ecm is bad
one of you said the to check the altinator i tested the battery it was pushing 14.9 vts i had autozone check the alt and it was pushing 15.4 vts the factory specs are 16 vts.
i cleaned the termanals on the battery

3 three other things are that dont work are
1 the sppednomter dont work i have no brake lights i think that is doe to the break light switch
3 i lave no left turn signal but it makes a buzzing sound

i think i got burnt i still own 1000 for it so if i cant fix it im going to sell it
any other ideas

Ramblin Fever · 04-11-2007, 08:44 AM

Climb underneith that baby, I know on my truck there's a wire type connection near the crossmember/transmission pan. Make absolute certain everything is connected tightly.

Had an issue 8-9yrs ago now, where that connection on mine came loose from the crossmember and was dangling - we took the truck off-road a lot back then, and it got hung up on a 3' cactus, disconnected the two ends. Took us a few hours to figure out what the issue was - sounds somewhat similar.

Find out from previous owner, if you can, when the last transmission service was performed and how old that alternator is.

You didn't say how many miles are on that rig.

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