Transmission Help (Slipping)

[Godofwarmike]

1999 Plymouth Neon 125,000 miles SOHC

never really noticed it till i was driving in city traffic today but my transmission is slipping at 20 mph (think its between the 1-2 shift). its not really noticable when i baby it and sometimes doesnt even do it but if i give it the gas a little more while speeding up it slips sometimes it slips for a fraction of a second sometimes it slips for around a second. it is only happening between this shift. The car has good pickup and doesnt seem to slip while in gear only durring the shift.

Checked the fluid and it was a brown and smelled sort of burnt but not very bad.

When i got this car the transmission was stuck in the passing gear.

Should i do a fluid and filter change? ive heard if the fluid is dark its better to leave it but ive also heard if you dont change it and the transmission isnt too bad you can help or even stop it from slipping. also if i change the fluid should i add a bottle or two of Lucas Transmission Fix?

Any info would help.

[das2123]

Fluid and filter change will probably fix your slipping. Should be done every 30,000 miles for autos. Make sure you use ATF+4 ONLY....No Dexron/Mercon fluids!

[Godofwarmike]

alright i changed the fluid and the filter and its better but is still slipping at about 20 mph. would lucas transmission fix help or is my transmission fried?

[das2123]

I don't know anything about Lucas oil. You can try tightening the kickdown band.

[Godofwarmike]

how would i go about tightening the kickdown band?

also ive been looking around and ive seen a few posts for people whos transmissions slip at 20mph and it turned out to be the engine mount. looking at the front mount it looks like it is pretty rough and i havent looked at the other 2 yet.

could this also expain why the engine shakes while running?

[das2123]

A broken front motor mount will cause the shutter. Start the car, leave it in park and rev the gas and check to see if the motor moves alot. It should move some, but be minimal.

[Godofwarmike]

Nevermind about the band adjustment i thought you were talkin about the reverse/low band hidden by the pan. ill have to look around and see if i can get borrow a inch pound torque wrench or rent one since ive never needed one before.

loosen the bolt about 3-4 turns then tighten the band to 72 in. lbs back off 3 turns then tighten nut correct?

[hundahunta]

probably needs to be overhauled.

[das2123]

Originally Posted by Godofwarmike

Nevermind about the band adjustment i thought you were talkin about the reverse/low band hidden by the pan. ill have to look around and see if i can get borrow a inch pound torque wrench or rent one since ive never needed one before.

loosen the bolt about 3-4 turns then tighten the band to 72 in. lbs back off 3 turns then tighten nut correct?

Yep that is correct.

[Godofwarmike]

ok i adjusted the kickdown band and it was pretty far from being right. i had to turn it around 8 times till i even started to get torque on it.

alright so i have that taken care of but im pretty sure my throttle pressue lever is adjusted wrong. when the throttle is at idle the lever is about 45 degrees (if i drew a line across the engine to the lever). to get the throttle pressure lever to even move i have to open the throttle more than half way. shouldnt it be more straight in line with the spark plugs (aka 0 degrees from the imaginary line drawn across the engine)?