Transmission Problem

My wife has a 02 Olds Intrigue. Since we have had it we have noticed that the transmission shifts into 2nd and 3rd kind of hard. I also notice that when in drive at the stop signs that there is a vibration and noise coming from the engine or transmission. When I let the brake off it goes away.

Are the two problems related? Any help about what might be suspect for both problems is greatly appreciated.

Hartwa

is there any ligh on your dashborad?

No there are no lights lit up on the dash....

What I would do in your case first is to service your tranny, flush it, replace filter and add the propper oil tranny. Also when done, see if there's any debris in there

I would do the above and also add a bottle of LubeGard tranny additive. It comes in a red bottle and is sold at NAPA auto parts.

Thanks guys...

I have changed the fluid and filter. I also added a bottle of a tranny additive...it is made by lucas oil or something like that. That seemed to help a little bit.

I took it to the dealer and they could not find any codes when they hooked it up to the computer. They said that they could here a "growl" coming from the tranny but did not know what it was. They said about 350 to take it out, apart and diagnose it. My fear is that once they do that it will be another grand in parts...once I am in 350 I am not going to have them put it back together without it being fixed. Not sure the condition is worth 1300 to fix. It has done this for 2 years.

Another thing that I noticed is that when accelerating the tranny noise that the dealer called the "growl" is present. When I am not accelerating the noise/vibration is not there.

Any ideas or advice is appreciated.

Hartwa

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=271701&highlight=transmission+growl

Probably the planetary gear or that sun gear thingy.

Good pictures here:
http://www.transmissioncenter.net/alto_2.htm

I know you said you drained the fluid but if you didn't do a T-Tech or something similar all you got out was what was in the pan and not the torque converter. I did a poor mans tranny flush recently:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=718311

People on my Q forum swear by this:
http://www.bgfindashop.com/bgservices/transmission.htm

I personally would do the BG flush and then drop the pan and replace the screen again as I'm sure it has gunk in it from the flush process. Synthetic fluid would be the way to go if you are having the tranny fluid swapped out with a machine. Amsoil would by my number one pick!

Let us know how it's going.:smokin:

I found this after the fact. Some great info!

http://www.tripleedgeperformance.com/4T65E_Transmission_Info.php

Thanks for all the great information.

Tomorrow I have an appointment with a transmission place...they are going to take it for a ride and listen. From what I described he said that it sounded like the motor mounts of the transmission was loose. I don't think that this is it though because it does not growl or vibrate in reverse.

I'll let you know what he finds.

Hartwa

Well the good news is that the transmission shop confirmed that it is a mount but they are unsure where it is for sure. He says that there are 2 engine mounts that he is certain is bad. Apparently there are 2 morre that he cannot see and a transmission mount that is also not visible. He quoted something like 700 to change them all. He said that they have to lift the engine and transmission up above the frame to get at them.

Does anybody have a diagram that shows the locations of the mounts? I am wondering if I can get at them myself. I have changed transmissions on rear wheel drive trucks but never did a front wheel drive car.

Also if anyone has advice about how to inspect the mounts, and get at them to change them I would appreciate it.

Hartwa

I just got the car back from the shop. They showed me the problem with the front mount. When you accelerate the mount is so bad that it lifts the front of the engine. To change it though they said that they have to drop the frame...about 6 hours labor. I am not sure what they mean. It seems to me that it should be more accessible. The bottom of the mounts are easilt accessible but the top is actually near the exhaust manifold.

Does anybody have any experience changing this mount? I would like to do it myself if there is a way to access the top of the mount without needing any special tools...

Hartwa

Does anybody have any experience changing this mount? I would like to do it myself if there is a way to access the top of the mount without needing any special tools...
Hartwa

The engine/tranny need to be held while you switch out the old mount. Borrow a engine crane/cherry picker for someone.

Think about getting AlldataDIY or the Intrigue Service Manual so you do it right the first time.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=648979&highlight=transmission+mount

similiar ESF: (engine support fixture)
http://z.about.com/d/autorepair/1/0/Q/W/78791982.gif