1997 AXOD-e Transaxle

[Rapidrobby]

I replaced the Engine and Transaxle with one from a low milage wreck. I have a noise from the trans but it stops when i put it in gear. Then I take off I hear it until i get it up to 30 - 40 mph. I ckecked the tourq converter and flywheel for tightness. It's not in the engine. Also, at 65-70 it will sometime downshift for just a second. What is my problem?

[Dan_in_WA]

I'm still kind of low on the learning curve for the FWD auto transaxles, but the first thing I would do is go to the Transgo website and see about getting their Shift Improver Kit for your trans.

What year of car was the low mileage wreck? Is it an AXOD-E, an AX4N or an AX4S transmission? Do you know anything else about the donor car?

Your '97 trans had it's shift points controlled by the EEC-V computer, IIRC. Did all the electrical connectors fit together properly? Any dirt in them?

I'll see if I can scare up any info in my manuals; don't know if I have much for the later model stuff but I'll give it a shot.

[Rapidrobby]

Dan, The donor car also had an AXOD-e transmission. All the electric hooked up ok. We had a burnt wire on the vss(vehicle speed sensor) and it would not shift out of 1st until we repaired it. I'll take your advise and get the codes read. The noise is there even when not moving in park and will stop when you put in gear. I think it's getting worse.

[Dan_in_WA]

Can you describe the noise that it makes in Park? Is it a low-pitched whine, or a high-pitched whine? Does it change if you rev the engine up a little?

What is the condition of the trans fluid? Are there any air bubbles in it?

Hard to guess, since I can't see it. These trannys were known for some problems; maybe the valve body is A) Not doing something it should, or B) Doing something it shouldn't.

I still recommend the Transgo shift kit. According to my searching, these things were designed by a guy named Gil Younger, who is the Smokey Yunick of the auto trans world. He made 'em to correct the problems that are encountered in the stock transmissions of all cars.

I'm going to order the kit for my AXOD trans today, and see how hard it will be to put in. Mine will be $69, and is supposed to prevent the burn-up of the planetary gears, among other things.

I'll let you know how it goes!
Dan