Transmission Problem?

[MussMan]

I just bought a 2000 Venture, Warner Bros Edition about 3 weeks ago. It has 96000 miles on it. The other day, it started acting up a little bit. Sometimes when I press on the gas just slightly (probably around 1500-2000 rpm's), the van starts to jerk. If I give it more gas, it accelerates normally, and if I let off the gas, it stops jerking. If I hold the throttle at that point, it will continue to jerk. When it does this, I noticed that the transmission shifts harder than normal. Also, Once in a while when I start it, it idles rough for a second or two. Is this a sign of the torque converter going out, or a transmission problem? The check engine light isn't on.

Thanks in advance.

[pokerman11]

Yes it could be your torque converter or a few different thing. Also have you check the level of trans fluid - low trans fluid will cause this.

At your level of mileage you are due for a trans fluid change. I would do that before anything else.

This is a really easy do it your self job. Litterly all you have to do is to take a few bolts off the trans pan, let the trains oil drain. I try to loosten the bolts on one side only first and get the oil to drail out that side into somthing to catch the old oil, before taking all the bolts out.

The bottom of the trans pan will just drop out. Then with your hands pull the old filter and push in a new one. I also wipe out the bottom on the pan with a rag.

When you buy the filter from the autoparts store they will also sell you the kit which includes the pan gasket, and new fluid.

[MussMan]

The transmission fluid level is good, and the fluid looks and smells fine. I'm not sure how recently it has been changed, but it isn't burnt or discolored. I think I'll take it to Aamco today and have it looked at and see if it's giving any codes.

I used to work as a mechanic, so I'm fine with doing most jobs myself. I don't have the desire or time to do a big job like a torque converter or transmission replace or rebuild though. Especially without a lift.

[dondi]

I don't know if we are experiencing the same problem. I saw a TSB in the NHTSA website telling about the replacement of the secondary clutch pack for the 4T65E transmission. If only I could get a copy of it.

What I am experiencing in my van are hardshifts after the vehicle is driven for quite some time. When you turn off the enging, it goes back to normal shifts. I already replaced the transmission fluid (80,000 kms) and filter about a few weeks back. I've seen in previous threads that it might be a faulty MAF or a stuck PCS. I tried to pull the codes but there aren't any logged in the PCM. I already cleaned the MAF. I've backprobed the MAF yesterday and it showed 4.45 V while the engine is idling. Is this the correct voltage that I should be getting from the signal side of the MAF? Or is this the correct way of testing the MAF? If not, can anybody tell me how to test it properly?

If this is a PCS problem, shouldn't it be that there is a code of P1811 in the PCM?

I am really stuck as there is no DTC logged and really can't pinpoint the exact area of the problem.

Any help from people out there would be really helpful as I am still out in the dark.

[MussMan]

My problem is the transmission is shifting back and forth between first and second gear when I lightly apply the gas at a low speed. The last time it did this was last Thursday night. I took it into Aamco yesterday, and the guy there said it did the same thing when he was driving it (which I doubt, becuase it hasn't done it on me since Thursday). He said it was throwing an 1811 code, and it requires a complete rebuild to solve the problem. He said an 1811 code is very general, and usually that just means that there is something wrong internally and it needs a rebuild to correct it.

He also said that the transmission is shifting too soft from 1-2 and from 3-4. He said that's another sign that it needs rebuilt. When it gives me this problem, the transmission shifts very hard, and it shifts very smoothly when it doesn't.

I don't believe what the guy there was telling me. He was just trying to get my money.

If this isn't an issue that will create anymore problems, I won't worry about it. It isn't a big deal to have to re-start the van once a week when it does this. If it will get worse or cause damage to other parts, I want to get it fixed.

[bmracing76]

Had about 100K on my venture and the same thing was happening. It ended up being some spline (Japanese) that was beginning to strip out. I needed a complete rebuild ($2200). He showed me the parts and sure enough, half the splines were gone. The tranny shop said they have had to do several of these transmissions because of the same problem. Good Luck!

[MussMan]

Originally Posted by bmracing76

Had about 100K on my venture and the same thing was happening. It ended up being some spline (Japanese) that was beginning to strip out. I needed a complete rebuild ($2200). He showed me the parts and sure enough, half the splines were gone. The tranny shop said they have had to do several of these transmissions because of the same problem. Good Luck!

Thanks for the response.

When did you see the problem? I only see it after the van has been running for a long time. My wife is always driving it when it happens, so I don't know exactly what it's doing all of the time. I thought it was just shifting back and forth between 1st and 2nd gear, but she said it started doing it a little bit when she was driving on the freeway the other day.

It sounds to me like it's a sensor more than anything else. Especially if it's doing it in more than one gear.

[billluk]

I have the same problem, hard shifts, that will go away if you stop the vehicle & turn off the engine. When you restart the vehicle the hard shifting stops. What happens is the computer resets itself. An electronic scan at a transmission shop gave an 1811 code. I was told the problem is with the EPC (electronic pressure control) solenoid. I have been quoted 5 to 6 hours labour plus the solenoid at a cost ranging from a low of $600 to a high of $950. This fix is for hard shifts only.

['97ventureowner]

You're cutting it close Try not to resurrect threads older than 3 months.