4T65E Troubles

I have a 2002 park ave (no ultra) with 24K miles. I am noticing more and more what appears to be tranny troubles. 1st, at times I notice a slip or jerking feeling when I hit the gas during a turn or after briefly taking my foot off the gas. It rarely does it but even my wife noticed so I know its happenning. I didn't even point it out to her.

2nd, I noticed what I call a surging or pulsing sensation. If I am accelerating slowly and hit a slight upgrade going around 25 or 30 mph and the tach is around 1500. I can see the tach fluctuate between maybe 1800 and 1500 rpm's and it feels like the car is jumping back and forth between gears. If I maintain the gas pressure it will keep doing it but if I give it a little more gas it will slowly come out of it.

I took it to the dealer who drove the car, smelt the fluid and checked for codes. He says everthing is normal, no codes. I then took him for a ride and sure enough, it rode perfect. He says nothing he can do since he doesn't see any problems.

I went to the library and found documents 901351 & 1453640 which seem close to my problem. I know better than to tell a mechanic his job but it won't mess up with him in the car. The warrenty runs out this June so I would like to get this fixed soon.

What do you all suggest I do? I'd hate to drive it slowly up and down lookout mountian just to try and burn up the tranny but I'd also hate to get stuck with the bill...

I have a 2002 park ave (no ultra) with 24K miles. I am noticing more and more what appears to be tranny troubles. 1st, at times I notice a slip or jerking feeling when I hit the gas during a turn or after briefly taking my foot off the gas. It rarely does it but even my wife noticed so I know its happenning. I didn't even point it out to her.

2nd, I noticed what I call a surging or pulsing sensation. If I am accelerating slowly and hit a slight upgrade going around 25 or 30 mph and the tach is around 1500. I can see the tach fluctuate between maybe 1800 and 1500 rpm's and it feels like the car is jumping back and forth between gears. If I maintain the gas pressure it will keep doing it but if I give it a little more gas it will slowly come out of it.

I took it to the dealer who drove the car, smelt the fluid and checked for codes. He says everthing is normal, no codes. I then took him for a ride and sure enough, it rode perfect. He says nothing he can do since he doesn't see any problems.

I went to the library and found documents 901351 & 1453640 which seem close to my problem. I know better than to tell a mechanic his job but it won't mess up with him in the car. The warrenty runs out this June so I would like to get this fixed soon.

What do you all suggest I do? I'd hate to drive it slowly up and down lookout mountian just to try and burn up the tranny but I'd also hate to get stuck with the bill...

Try another shop, any GM facility will be able to help you under warranty.

Try another shop, any GM facility will be able to help you under warranty.

You sure, that would be great. There is an Oldmobile/Caddy dealership right next door but they said they can work on Buicks with a Buick delearchip so close to them. They would if I was paying but not for warranty stuff. I would love to take my car back to them and say, that is not true, please fix it for me... They do good work at that shop!

Best suggestion is to make sure the car is at the same operating conditions during the test drive as when you notice the problem. And yes there are a few TSB out there ever since the electronic transaxle came in to play for shift characteristics, so they should keep an open mind to that. However, many problems with the engine can be passed off as a trans problem (intermeittent loss of fuel pressure, timing signal, etc). So, unless you're able to grab one of the dealer techs while the car is experiencing the problem, it's going to be rather tough to get them to listen. Same shop you were having probllems with on the last issue?

You sure, that would be great. There is an Oldmobile/Caddy dealership right next door but they said they can work on Buicks with a Buick delearchip so close to them. They would if I was paying but not for warranty stuff. I would love to take my car back to them and say, that is not true, please fix it for me... They do good work at that shop!


No matter what your problem is, under the factory warranty you can have your car fixed at any GM dealership. Say you bought a car in L.A. and lived there, now you decide to move to Florida, what are you going to do,bring back the car to cali to have it fixed, I don't think so, to doublecheck you can call GM customer service....

Same shop you were having probllems with on the last issue?

Yep, the same shop. It is close to the job and the walk does me good. The Delearship doesn't but the walk does. If I could use the Olds/Caddy delearship like volkerc suggested then I would be in good shape. They work on my wifes Alero and have always been satisfying to me.

@volkerc, I know if I was in another town what the Olds shop is saying is that a Buick delearship was right next door. They would gladly do it if the Buick place wasw not next door but because it is they said they have to refer me to them. Is that part true?

Call the GM Factory rep. listed in the owners manual and tell him you believe you are getting the run around from the Buick dealer. Tell him you want to take the car to the Olds dealer for another evaluation of the transmission. He should easily approve your request. This sounds like you may have a sticking shift solenoid or Torque Convertor Clutch Solenoid. Just because there are not codes in the computer doesn't mean there isn't a problem. Have them ride with you to feel what your are describing and they may be able to diagnose the problem easier.

If you have a 2002 with only 24K miles on it, it musta been parked somewhere for the last two years! The guys in this forum are right on; if this vehicle is still in warranty, Buick MUST fix your problem to your satisfaction. If it wasn't in warranty, I wouldn't even fool with them. I believe taking your car to a dealer is like letting the IRS do your tax return. I JUST DON'T TRUST THEM! You wouldn't believe the problems caused (not fixed) by so called "factory trained" dealership mechanics in my neck of the woods. I looked at the list of TSBs for your model on Alldata.com and there are quite a few for your transmission. One issued in July 2002 is labeled A/T - 4T65E HARSH SHIFTS/SHUDDERS/SLIPS/DTC'S SET. If you can't use the Olds dealership for warranty work, find another Buick dealership and stay on them. When they test drive the car, be sure to go with them; you know what the problem sound is - they might not recognize it unless you point it out when it occurs (if it occurs). Good luck.

Yep, the same shop. It is close to the job and the walk does me good. The Delearship doesn't but the walk does. If I could use the Olds/Caddy delearship like volkerc suggested then I would be in good shape. They work on my wifes Alero and have always been satisfying to me.

@volkerc, I know if I was in another town what the Olds shop is saying is that a Buick delearship was right next door. They would gladly do it if the Buick place wasw not next door but because it is they said they have to refer me to them. Is that part true?


totally agree with gtp dad.go to another dealer...