anybodys grand am shift real hard?

[1320-camaro-383]

I just bought a 97 grand am with the 2.4 &4 speed auto.The owner before me told me there is somthing wrong with the tranny because it shifts hard.The only time I have felt a car shift this way is in a aftermarket performance tranny with a shift kit,I dont think this is the case on this one.It definitely kicks when it shifts,but I perfer this over a slugish shifting tranny.I just dont think it should be this way.Any info is appreciated.

[xeroinfinity]

migth try a fluid & filter change if thats not been done in the last 30-40k miles.

Could even try some Seafoam in the trans before you change it. The directions on the can says how much to use.
Should loosen up anything that's varnished up in the VB making it stick.

and Welcome to AF.

[crazy Jim]

my '99 GA's 4 spd will do this from time to time but usually if I turn the engine off and back on after a few minutes it goes back to normal. It must be a solenoid sticking in the valve body . Does yours act this was full time or just ocassionally?

[1320-camaro-383]

It had a trans filter and flush 20k ago,I plan to do another next weekend.I never heard of sea foam,where do you get it and if I do a pan job is it ok about half will still be in there?&crazy jim ,I only drove the car for about 5 minuits it doesnt have plates yet.so Im not sure if it does it all the time or not.However I thought the same thing you did.

[xeroinfinity]

It had a trans filter and flush 20k ago,I plan to do another next weekend.I never heard of sea foam,where do you get it and if I do a pan job is it ok about half will still be in there?&crazy jim ,I only drove the car for about 5 minuits it doesnt have plates yet.so Im not sure if it does it all the time or not.However I thought the same thing you did.

Was it flushed or just the fluid & fitler change?
A flush is usually bad news
Not good at all on the clutches and tends to leave small debrie where its not supposed to be.

Seafoam is sold in most parts stores, runs about $10-15 for 16oz can of thier regular stuff. For engine & fuel.
Thier is different types of seafoam too.
They sell one just for transmissions.
Stuff works well

And yes when you drain it from the pan you will still have several quarts in thier. After you change it a few times the old fluid gets diluted down.

[1320-camaro-383]

I will try that.Im not sure if the tranny was flushed or just a pan job.I found 2 slips in the glove box and one said fluid and filter the other from juffy lube just said trans fluid for 69.99,that might have been a flush.But I will look in to the sea foam.Thanks

[1320-camaro-383]

I did a filter change on it today and found the smallest metal tube on the valve body was disconected.There are 3 tubes and the one thats smaller than the other two was disconected,it fell out of the valve body.I think somebody might have messed with it because in addition to that it has a rugger hose spliced in the middle of it.The oposite end of the tube thats held into the tranny with a metal clip is loose,I can push it up and down about 1/4 inch.I dont know if it should be like that or not.Anybody know?I wont be able to drive it for a while to see if reconnecting that tube made it shift better.

[Aki334]

I am not very sure if you have this part but if you do have vacuum modulator you can check that too, fallow your vacuum lines from your intake manifold one of them should lead to one round part that is mounted on your transmission. Disconnect the line connect vacuum pump and apply 15 inches of mercury to the part where your vacuum line connects, vacuum should remain at 15. Take the vacuum modulator off turn it upside down and see if any oil drips from the hose fitting if yes replace vacuum modulator. Also if your vacuum line for vacuum modulator is bad that can create many problems too.

[1320-camaro-383]

Its funny you say that,that was going to be the next thing I check if rehooking up that tube didnt help.But thank you very much.