Today as I accelerated onto the freeway I had to get on it hard. When it shifted to second, the clutch engagement had a shudder.
Question:
Is this possibly a motor/trans mount going bad or is it another symptom of my pressure control solenoid problem?
I am getting a P1811 code so I plan to take it in to the transmission shop next week.

It'* possible that it could be either. Check the mount toward the front of the car. That has been known to go. This is a recent thread on it, with a picture of how bad his was.
http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...ic.php?t=78807

What do I look for? The bracket covers it up pretty well. Nothing immediately obvious. BTW I've got almost 90k miles on it.

If you inspect the mount - look for tiny cracks. They may be hard to see with weight on it. A better way is if you have someone in the car change from reverse to drive, with their foot on the brake, while you watch for engine movement. There shouldn't be much...maybe a couple of inches. Anything more, and that mount is the likely culprit.

Sounds like you need this....

http://cgi.ebay.com/TRANSGO-4T65E-4T...QQcmdZViewItem

I just had the same experience with the 1-2 shift. Convinced me to get my Transgo shift kit put in. Probably this week.

Okay, fifty bucks for the parts... But how much to get it installed? How far does the trans need to be disassembled?

Pull the oil pan, drop the filter (replace also -$10) and pull an accumulator.... I haven't done one, but Sonoma_ZR2 was telling me... About $85 all said and done if you don't ruin the trans pan gasket..... just need the kit, fluid, and filter.

If it gets rid of the hard shift problem and the P1811 code, it is a LOT cheaper than changing the pressure control solenoid. I'll have to look into this :?

I didn't find anything on the Transgo web site about this particular product. :?:

BTW, I changed the transmission fluid by sucking it out the dip stick tube and added a pint of Sea Foam Trans Tune when I filled it back up. Today I drove into San Francisco (about 50 miles) and this time smooth shifting. Last week and the week before, it would always be hard shifts by the time I got into the city. We'll see how long it lasts.

Sucking it out the dipstick? :? Can't say I've ever heard of that before.
As for the transgo unit, mine is going in Thursday. For more technical questions regarding it, you might contact Intense... I believe they are selling and installing them. They would no doubt be the most knowledgeable on this product of just about anyone on any 3800/4T65E forum.

P.*. M.O. arrived today.... My dremel kicked the bucket before I could get the LIM finished so I took the LIM and LIM and UIM gaskets in to a shop in town to have them gasket match, and they'll be able to a little better job than I could with the dremel.. I will finish it with by hand sanding up to 1000 grit for a nice smooth finish.... definitely a BIG gain to be seen from the LIM porting. I should have them in the mail Friday as the shop said that'* when they'd have em done.

The Seafoam TransTune often helps with the sticking PCS, if they aren't too far gone. After running it for a while, I'd suggest dropping the pan, and changing the fluid and filter. If you go with the shift kit, you'll have to do that. If you don't - change it anyway, as it can loosen up all kinds of crud that you'd prefer not having floating around.

FWIW, to cut down on the mess when changing the tranny fluid, that'* the method I use, too. Siphon out as much as possible first.