1999 Rodeo Ls Trans. Shift Probl.

[DJRUPP]

I HAVE A 1999 RODEO WITH AUTO TRANS. WHEN i first start it in
the morning is seems to shift very roughly, kind of jerky. After it has been run for about 10 minutes and i restart the motor it shifts just fine
i was wondering if anyone could help me solve this problem, i heard it could be a type of trans sensor going bad but im not sure.....

also my fuel gauge is stuck on empty, anyone have this problem, and is it a recall or how much to repair it. thanks for any help. djrupp

[rodeo02]

If your "PRND321" lights on the dash coincide correctly with what you have selected w/ the floor shifter, it's likely not your tranny range sensor. Your issue sounds electrical, since it goes away upon restart. The 4L30E tranny requires frequent ATF changes (30Kmi max). Without it, the unit will not last. The faulty fuel gage reading is caused by a poorly designed level switch (POT) built into the sending unit in the gas tank. Gas tank has to be dropped in order to pull the sending unit to fix or replace it. Per other isuzu owners, it's better to just "adjust" the one that's in there, because it can only be replaced with the same style unit- which will go bad eventually as well. G/luck
Joel

[okbosstone]

I have the same rough shifting, especially after letting the truck sit for extended periods of time w/o driving. I am going on Monday to get the fluid and filter change for the transmission, I have gone 60K w/o doing this. Hopefully I have not done too much damage. I will let you know what the outcome is....

KB

[poweredbyisuzu]

First does your PRND2L go all wild when you first shift. Well if that's the case, it's your PCM, powertrain control module. You will need to take it to the dealer, it is covered under warranty. if and only if you didn't do n e mods Hope that helps. goodluck

[jklph]

anyone found a solution to this problem? mine started to have this problem. i got a 99 Isuzu Rodeo LS 2WD. After 5 mins of warming up in the morning, it doesn't seem to exhibit the problem. AAMCO suggested that it could be harden seals in my transmission. Is this transmission related problem or electrical? I don't have anymore warranty on this. How do I get this fixed without bringing it to the dealer? Thanks in advance.

[rodeo02]

Wow! this is an old thread. Try a search for transmission range sensor, TRS, range sensor or mode sensor. Easy fix, not a big deal, definately NOT the PCM like poweredbyisuzu said.

Joel

[Ramblin Fever]

[quote] AAMCO suggested that it could be harden seals in my transmission. [quote]

I highly doubt it.

FWIW, stay as far away from AAMCO as possible. (AAMCO = All Automatics Must Come Out)

When I had this same issue, i.e. range mode sensor issue (what it is is a clamshell looking thing on the driver's side of the transmission; it just gets dirty and needs cleaned) - AAMCO said I needed a complete tear-down and rebuild, this was at 70k miles (out of warranty then too), I now have 157k miles on the original transmission without a single burp.


[quote] Is this transmission related problem or electrical? [quote]

This 4L30-E transmission IS susceptable to electrical hiccups; i.e. alternator failure, bad ground connections, etc. and it will act weird if the volts are not clear/precise.

I too have never heard of powertrain control module failure on this particular transmission.

[Blue Bowtie]

FWIW, stay as far away from AAMCO as possible. (AAMCO = All Automatics Must Come Out)

LMAO!

In 30+ years of this, I can't recall ever having heard that one. Mind if I borrow that phrase where appropriate? More truth is rarely written on these pages...

FWIW, while the PCM is not completely foolproof, it's pretty good at monitoring and diagnosing itself in transmission control and feedback - At least on the Rodeo/Passport. There's a reasonably good chance you'd have locked a DTC if the PCM was having trouble operating the transmisison.