I'm having a couple of issues with my transmission and want to avoid some hefty repair bills.
1. A couple of times, I have shifted into reverse (cold engine/trans) and either have the car move slowly when trying to back up or hardly at all. A couple of seconds later, it's fine. When warm, it's fine.
2. There are a couple of hills that I will downshift rather than brake to control my speed. Afterward, when moving the shifter from 2-3 and from 3-OD, the car will take a second and then slam into the next gear (eng/trans warm).
3. Occassionally, the car will upshift a little harsher than normal (during normal operation, no manual down/upshifting) (eng/trans warm).
4. Occasionally, when driving (eng/trans warm)(seems to be about 45 mph or so), the car will shudder as if the transmission is slipping. It seems to do it always when I am cresting a very slight hill near my house. Today, I was driving up a slight hill about 45 mph and it shuddered very noticably. It happened several other times today, but less noticably.
Now, about 9 months ago, just before my ext warranty ran out, I had my car checked out by my mechanic (due to the harsh shifting) and he said everything seems fine, that the transmission could use servicing, but no burnt smell or unusual color. So I took the car to the Buick dealer to complain about the harsh shifting, and if anything was malfunctioning, it could have been repaired under warranty. They said they had to service the transmission first, then they could check it out. I had them service the transmission...they opened it up, no burnt fluid, no metal shavings...just needed to be serviced. After that, they kept the car for an extra day and could not replicate the issue. They told me I was being "too sensitive" to the transmission shifts...that it shifts fine.
I have done some research and found TSB 00-07-30-002B "A/T 4T65E - Harsh shifts/shudders/slips/DTC set. I haven't seen any warning lights come on, nor have I had the car checked for DTC's yet. The TSB indicates that the Pressure Control Solenoid may need replacing.
I'm just not sure if the issues that my car has fits within the TSB's description. Others who have had this issue on the Automotive Forums (for their Buick Century/Chevrolet Venture/Olds Intrigue/Pontiac Bonneville) seem to indicate that they are having symptoms that are a lot more severe than mine, especially with the harsh shifting.
My questions are:
1. Does my car's more subdued symptoms seem to indicate a PC Solenoid replacment, as the TSB indicates?
2. I've read that the PC Solenoid can be replaced w/o any removal of the transmission (at least on other types of cars). Can the Park Avenue's PCS be replaced w/o R&R? (Looking to save $ on labor costs)
Thanks in advance for your help in this.