Aurora "sluggish/slugging" problem in overdrive

All,

well, back to the Aurora thread - I've always got good advice here.
Here is my latest problem:

When in overdrive, a a consistent cruise speed say 40 - 45 mph, when you start to go up an incline *without* increasing pressure on the gas pedal, the car starts to hesitate and balk, and almost feels like it is missing (in the ignition sense). If you step on the gas pedal to force a downshift, it does downshift and the situation goes away. I have seen the same behavior at 30 - 40 mph also. If you are on the gas pedal, you never see this issue but I do tend to drive the car easy since its a little on the fragile side.... :(

Could this be a shift solenoid problem in the tranny, with multiple solenoids (since it happens at different speeds)? The trans fluid is full.

I've had a new tranny (2 yrs ago, 20k miles since,) , a the new fuel rail installed on recall, and last fall (Oct 04) a new idle speed motor. The coils and wires are 9months old, and the plugs have 40k miles on them. In May 05, I replaced the whole cooling system incl. radiator (except water pump).

thanks in advance

I see you have a 1995. Assuming you are running premium gas, have AC Delco plugs/wires, and do not have a lit MIL; I would try replacing the FPR. Did you by chance happen to notice your problem all started after the fuel rail recall fix? The original 95 FPR had a different part number from all other years and the 95 stainless rail kit for the recall had the necessary o-rings to retrofit your existing 95 FPR onto the new rail. Needless to say the FPR's are troublesome on these cars especially a disturbed old 1995 FPR. The new rail kit will except new FPR part #89017530 which I believe is the same as 96 & 97 (maybe 98 & 99 too ??).

Anyways, I'd try the simple FPR first. I think faulty shift solenoids would make the tranny get stuck in a lower gear??

Thumpin455 -

good question on when this started to occur. It is a 1995. It may have started then but I can't remember for 100% sure. I had the recall work done last November 2004.

What I will do is look at the part # of the existing FPR and compare to what you say, and talk to the dealer if needed.

I mentioned the shift solenoids since it seems to occur when it should downshift, in this "increasing load" condition going up an incline but not adding more gas pedal pressure. A weak/mismatched FPR could be the culprit as like I said, hitting the gas pedal when this occurs causes the situation to go away, not just a downshift (which actually masks the symptom a bit I'll bet)....

Anyways, I'll keep you posted.... Thanks Paul!

Brian

any issues at startup and idle? Have you checked your plugs to see if any are fouled? FPR is an easy thing to try too.