Stalls in Gear--TCC Solenoid??

[rdh2]

2002 SE 3.0 VIN U. The car runs great with 145,000 miles. First indication was bucking and jerking on acceleration on highway along with yellow Trans warning light. It went away after about a mile, then was fine. Now, it stalls in gear when shifted to R, OD, or D. It did not stall in 1. I disconnected the electrical connector on top of the trans, and the stalling stopped (although the check engine and trans warning lights are on). It sounds like a TCC solenoid to me. I have called a couple of trans shops and all I get is "bring it in, we offer free estimates" . I am away from home, so I can't dig into my shop manual. I'm curious if the TCC solenoid is a possible culprit or if I am looking at major trans work. Any help is appreciated.
Bob

[shorod]

Would you describe the connector that you unplugged a bit better? How many wires did it have going to it, and how may terminal locations (with and without wires populating them). If you could provide wire colors, that might help too. The reason I'm asking is I'm not sure there is only one connector on the tranny and that it's for the TCC.

Also, see if the tranny shops read the transmission trouble codes as part of that free estimate. Since the light is on, there will be a code. You may have a faulty turbine shaft speed sensor or output shaft speed sensor, and unplugging or replacing the TCC solenoid won't fix that, but the trouble code(s) may indicate the correct area to focus.

Another question, when was the last time you had the transmission fluid and filter changed?

-Rod

[rdh2]

I believe it had around 5 or 6 wires (I'm guessing) and was on top of the trans below the air filter duct, forward of the shift lever cable attach point. I found out this weekend that with the connector disconnected, the engine sometimes stalled in R, OD, or D. But, it did not stall in 1. Fluid and filter changed about 30000 miles ago. With the connector disconnected the car drove ok ( I drove around a parking lot and service road) as long as it didn't stall in D or OD. In 1, it drove fine other than the RPM's being a little high. The fluid is at the correct level, appears dirty, but not burnt, doesn't smell burnt, and the car has not overheated. I will try to get details on the connector tonight. Thanks

[cwsttu]

please let us know the problem, im having the EXACT same problem, i unplugged it too and regained my ability to drive it though it is sluggish it drives fine. im hoping its the TCC solenoid also but can you fix it with the tranny in the car?

[Bassasasin]

I just think I fixed this problem CHEAP...
My car did the same thing. Jerking etc..
Symptoms were the Cruise control was intermittently working one day and the next not.. no codes.
The other symptoms came later.. Jerking, Trying to shift, no codes.. Hard to tell what is really doing while I was feeling it. .BUT... I figured the transmission is trying to shift from a higher gear to a very lower gear. Like 4th to 1st..

I changed the VSS sensor.. myself.. $20... The VSS signal is the Velocity speed sensor that is taken off the spedometer cable at back rear of Trannie.
Kindof hard to do. Takes long skinny arms, a 10mm socket and blind feeling for the unit.. I bought one first to see what I was looking for.
AAMCO was going to charge me $1000 to rebuild it.. after they diagnosed it.. Hmmm..
The VSS is telling the computer when to shift, and signalling the cruse control. Mitchell doccumentation (repair text) noted this symtoms from the sensor.
SO if this is a symptom.. try it swap it out .. its a cheap check..
Many cars are getting dumped for this problem thinking its the trannie.

Good luck.. I saved me big bucks. So far.. It has ran 40 miles and wouldnt make it 2 before..
Hopefully its a fix.

.

[C. Cleve]

Hey, rdh2, DON'T drive with the connector you described dissconnected, You will pay the price big time with a trans overhaul, You have a possible VSS problem, Most likely a TCC solinoid, TCC is on the valve body, VSS is external, Both are cheaper fixes than a self imposed trans overhaul..GOOD LUCK, Clay..

[cwsttu]

well guys i figured id update this thread since nobody else seems too and i noticed alot of people have these symptoms. i took it to a tranny shop as i thought the solenoid was the culprit. the shop cleared out all the codes that triggered from me unplugging the tranny harness and tested it all out. they found no problems with the car. the only code that came back a few times was something about the upstream and downstream sensors swapped. i have no idea what this means as i havent touched either of the two. they looked at the sensors and said nothing looks out of ordinary, they suggested maybe there was a short or perhaps the wires crossed and fused together somewhere in the harness. the car drives just like normal now so im going to drive it as is until the problem returns. im happy as i have my car back for the most part and it only cost me about 50$ for the diagnostic. good luck with those with these types of problems.

stan

[shorod]

Upstream and downstream sensors as in the oxygen sensors before the catalytic converters and after the catalytic converters? Interesting.

-Rod