98 Rodeo Transmission Problem

I've got a 98 with an automatic transmission at 75K miles. During the last week or so, the transmission has been really jerky first thing in the morning. There is a hard jerk from 1st to 2nd and worse from 2nd to 3rd. Sometimes it doesn't even make it to 3rd, but slips and spins for a moment. Then, when decelerating, it slips out of gear when downshifting. I had the ATF checked when I had tires put on it this weekend and was told that the fluid level was fine.

A couple times, the problem has cleared up after I shut it off for a couple minutes and then tried it again. This leads me to believe that it's electrical, since it's not constant. I drove it all weekend without a problem. But this morning it wouldn't go away.

Any thoughts?

Most like electrical. How old is the battery? If it is over 4 years replace it. Also, your Altenator could be on the way out.

-Ryan

The battery is a year old. A bad alternator not sending enough juice to power the trans?

I forget exactly- but you need 13 or 14V with the truck running for all the electronics to work right on our isuzus. Measure the volts with the truck running, but this can get tricky because the volts may drop at different times (hot,cold,hi speeds, low speeds, etc) with a weak or failing alternator. ONLY use an OEM replacement alternator or you will be replacing it again. Also make sure your "PRND321" lighs on your dash coinside with what gear you have selected. This will rule out a bad tranny range/mode sensor, which also causes harsh & erratic shifts. Scanning for codes may also help you.
G/luck
Joel

Most People Dont Know How To Properly Check The Tranny Fluid In These Things
It Needs To Running And In Neutral You May Want To Check It Again Just To Be Sure Or At Least Check With Whoever Did Inspect It And Find Out Their Procedure For Checking It

I just dropped $700 on a solenoid pack in the transmission with similar problems to what you describe. Our mechanic said one possible cause was the remote starter we installed aftermarket. If the Check Trans light comes on have it checked ASAP

I had the exact same thing happen with my Rodeo. A transmission flush seemed to do the trick. That was about a year ago. I just had the same thing happen last week, and the transmission flush seemed to fix it again.

One additional problem though.... last night my battery light and the brake light went on. About a mile later, things started to dim in the car. I'm suspecting some sort of electrical problem.

sounds like you have an alt on the way out which will also cause the the tranny to shift ruff.

I had the exact same thing happen with my Rodeo. A transmission flush seemed to do the trick. That was about a year ago. I just had the same thing happen last week, and the transmission flush seemed to fix it again.

One additional problem though.... last night my battery light and the brake light went on. About a mile later, things started to dim in the car. I'm suspecting some sort of electrical problem.

Most likely your alternator is about to go..I'd check it out before you end up stranded on the side of the road. Usually when an alternator starts to go the lights on the dash will light up like that. Usually A/C is one of the first things to go out as it requires a lot of power to run.

Just as a couple of you thought.... the alternator.

Does anyone else feel that this car is a major lemon?

So far with 100,000 miles:

1. New engine
2. starter
3. alternator
4. CV boot replacement - both right and left
5. cracked engine manifold.


And of course, this all happened starting about 10k miles after the warranty ran out, and Isuzu doesn't care one bit.

My next car will be a Honda.

I've heard lots of bad issues with the 98 Rodeo's, course, 1st year of redesign. Happens a lot with redesigns of any manufactorer, Isuzu's are no different, I reckon.

I feel bad that y'all have had such a hard time with that particular year, and unfortunately leading to a bad repo for Isuzu for the 98-2000's especially. I will say that I've been on the hunt for another Rodeo or even a Trooper, as a 2nd run-around, however I will admit to avoiding the 98's especially.

In regards to Isuzu's (Rodeo's) being a lemon, as a whole, I don't agree. Which I don't think that's what you're saying, though.

But I will say that while my Rodeo has been considered the "Old Faithful" of the family; always fires right up and has never left us anywhere with now 123K - other family members with vehicles half the age of mine can not say the same.

I have a brother-in-law with a newer Tahoe, only 35K, already on 2nd tranny; a cousin with a 02 Ranger, 3rd tranny, 2nd engine; a guy that lives next door with a 98 Grand Cherokee, 80K miles, several sets of rotors, brakes, rebuilt transmission; and a lady on the corner, brand-new Yukon XL, had to have it put on a flatbed and hauled to the dealer for something, not sure yet, but it wouldn't start.

Here I am, knock on wood, original tranny, engine, never any work on suspension, same original rotors, same radiator.

I have had a few quarky items go out, however, such as Power Steering pump, and a bad carrier bearing (which was still covered under power train). Aside from that, no major work that didn't come with wear-tear.

I just dropped $700 on a solenoid pack in the transmission with similar problems to what you describe. Our mechanic said one possible cause was the remote starter we installed aftermarket. If the Check Trans light comes on have it checked ASAP

Did your mechanic provide an explaination of how the remote starter affected the solenoid pack? I installed one on my wifes Rodeo and will remove it if needs be.