Speed Sensor or Tranny?

[toicy4ya]

Sup guys,

I have a 99 eclipse spyder (auto) and am having a lil problem with it. I'll try to explain it to the best of my ability. When I'm driving my car for a little while and put it into neuteral and rev the engine a little then put it in drive the gear doesnt take for a second then it kicks in. I've been having this problem for a couple of days now. When I'm cruising I feel all the gears change just fine but when I stop lets say at a light and put it into neutural and rev the engine then try and put it in drive I accelerate but the car doesnt go anywhere, the engine rev's then after a quick second the gear kicks in. I spoke with my mechanic who informed me that it was the speed sensor. He informed me that these cars suffer from that and explained to me what the car does when the speed sensor is bad which is pretty much what I've just explained. Has anyone ever experience this? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[drewh4386]

I think thats normal with ALL autos.

You have to give your auto time to shift back at the right rpm.

[Gsx_hooptie]

You have an auto, what you're doing is called a neutral drop. Stop that. That is bad.

To preserve the life of the tranny, let it shift itself. If you're concerned about getting off the line quickly, try placing your foot on the brake while you rev the car a couple grand, then letting off your brakes. That should do the trick. Otherwise, I can't think of a reason to go into neutral while the car is rolling. You can't hope to shift the tranny by hand faster than it can shift itself-- that's a benefit of owning an auto.

Speed sensors do go out on our auto's, but this sounds more like you're beating on the car in a bad way. Later, when you have a real problem, try reading the code from the auto computer. Instructions found at: www.plymouthlaser.com

[drewh4386]

Also reving to high holding the brake will mess up those joints.

[toicy4ya]

Hey guys,

First of all I want to say thank you for all your help. Let me try to explain or clarify myself better. I wasnt try to take off or get off the line quickly (peel out). I dont race or beat my car. What I was referring to is that after a lil bit of cruising I stop at a red light, If put it in neutural and rev my engine a little (not high and not to then take off) and then let go of the accelerator, once the engine rev's down I then place it into drive and I press the accelerator a little (again not to peel out) the car engine rev's a bit then the gear kinda kicks in. I dont understand why it does this?

[drewh4386]

Originally Posted by drewh4386

I think thats normal with ALL autos.

You have to give your auto time to shift back at the right rpm.

and then when it does, it has to engage itself. You can't just pull it and go.

If that was what you are talking about......

[toicy4ya]

Drewh,

That's what I just mentioned, I dont shift it into gear when its at high rpm or anything like that. I wait till its at the normal rpm then I shift it into drive. ?

[Gsx_hooptie]

Originally Posted by drewh4386

Also reving to high holding the brake will mess up those joints.

Not as fast as the neutral drops will tear gears on the tranny... Neither are good, though, I agree.

Toicy4ya, I think I now understand what you are saying. If there is a problem with the tranny, you might want to read the codes-- the tranny will tell you what is wrong. The website I listed below would be a good resource for this. Your Haynes manual lists this info, too. There's no reason to guess at what to repair when you don't have to. Save the money and hassle for another day.

I would think the speed sensor would manifest itself in problems accross the shifting range, not just after neutral. If I'm wrong, someone correct me

Originally Posted by Toicy4ya

I dont race or beat my car.

Give it time... lol

[spyderturbo007]

Originally Posted by Gsx_hooptie

The website I listed below would be a good resource for this.

I think you forgot to list the website.

[mindtwizzter]

have you ever tried leaving it in gear maybe that will solve the problem

[Gsx_hooptie]

Originally Posted by spyderturbo007

I think you forgot to list the website.

Uhhh... yeah, lol. Click on every word in my post... just to be sure Then pretend I added this page: http://www.plymouthlaser.com/tcucodes.htm Remember, you don't have to go under the hood to do this, and all you need is multimeter. If you don't own one, it's a good investment. They're a nice safety/McGuyver device, good for around the house and with cars.

If you're afraid of breaking something, or you can't count under pressure, most shops will do this for you for a fee.

Originally Posted by mindtwizzter

have you ever tried leaving it in gear maybe that will solve the problem

That's what I'm tempted to say, too. The doctor's parable.

"Doc, it hurts when I do this."
"Then stop doing that!"

Not to be a smartass, but I don't regularly use neutral in my automatic. While it's not the right solution, you could just avoid the situation that brings the problem. I shouldn't really suggest this, it's just what I would do. Read the codes. Bad problems get worse with time, and end up taking more time and money in the long run.

Let us know what you pull up for codes, good luck

[toicy4ya]

How much is a multi meter & where can I pick it up?


btw, does anyone know what a Pulse Generator is or what it does? My mechanic said it could be the pulse generator.

[Gsx_hooptie]

Originally Posted by toicy4ya

How much is a multi meter & where can I pick it up?


btw, does anyone know what a Pulse Generator is or what it does? My mechanic said it could be the pulse generator.

You can buy a multimeter almost anywhere. Sears, a hardware store, and Radio Shack should all carry them. Just call ahead and make sure.

I'm not sure on the pulse generator, but they're codes 81 and 82, meaning that if it's off, the tranny comp will tell you as much. Your mechanics can't in good conscience tell you what's wrong when they haven't bothered to read the codes. First things first.

[toicy4ya]

GSXHooptie,

I checked the site, have you or anyone ever tried this?

He wrote,
"Red is you hook up the Positive lead of the Meter and Gray is Negative. If it does not work or read, try reversing the leads."

If your using aligator clips, how do you tap into the wire? I mean how does it actually make contact with the wire?

Thanks