greetings,

my 94 SSE has started acting weird.


It started out at first that I noticed I lose overdrive...sometimes. Sometimes it works...sometimes not. In the morning it works for 5 miles or so and then kicks down into drive (3rd). Then randomly it comes back.

recently...random stalls usually when slowing to a stop, this sometimes happens many times a day. sometimes minutes apart...sometimes hours or days. I kick it in nuetral and it fires right up no problem.

Also...sometimes while sitting at a stop...the car seems to try to over-rev to about 3000 RPM for a few seconds causing a surge or buck and then settles down to normal idle speeds. If I kick it up in nuetral...it revs for a few seconds at 3K then settles down again.


Also...Sometimes I lose 1st gear...this is random. I can drive it around town for hours with no problems then ...randomly...I stop at a stop sign and when I take off...no first gear. The car starts off in 2nd...maybe sometimes third its hard to tell. I tried shifting into lower gears on the selector but this has no effect whatsoever. this condition may last for several miles and stop signs and then just as randomly...1st gear (all gears and shifts) is back and working like new.

Yesterday...it seemed like the temps were running higher than normal too. But I have yet to check that.

I have yet to determine if all or any of these issues are related but they are weird and seemed to all start at once or at least within a tight window of time.

In my humble and newbie opinion...all the symptoms from seemingly unrelated components may be a result of the computer systenm that controls all the electrical signal/switches/pumps/actuators etc but I am guessing.

anybody had any related issues or suggestions?

Dan

Your first gear loss and OD loss are related. They are also your biggest concern right now. Please check the level, color, and smell of your trans fluid after driving.

Do you have any access to a scan tool that would allow you to see what is going on with the transmission and engine?

Your '94 has the ability to tell you (with the aid of a compatible scantool) just how hot the trans is getting as it has a temp sensor (instead of a temp switch like earlier models). I agree with Willwren. You need to check the condition of the fluid, and if at all possible change it out and install a new filter. This will restore your line pressure to an extent, if your fluid is badly burned. Then again, if it IS burned, your trans is probably due for a rebuild.

thanks for the replies so far....

I am going to check a few things today as suggested.

The fluid and filter was changed about 30K miles ago.

I encourage additional posts to the weirdness described.

Dan

OK.

How many miles on the car itself? 30k on trans fluid isn't bad. BUT....there could be line blockage in the cooling circuit, which keeps the fluid heated more than it should. Also, do you have an external trans cooler, or is your car relying on the cooler built into the radiator?

In any event, you NEED to get a scantool on that car. It will show you indicated temp of the trans, and it will show you which shift solenoids are engaging, as well as if the PWM and TCC solenoids are working.

thanks again.

OK...I just checked the fluids and the tranny fluid is perfectly filled, clear pink with a slight brown tint and smells good.

167K total miles.

not hot rodded or abused...just a driver.

original factory coolers no aftermarket or supplimental trans cooler.



I have two sse'*...a 90 and the 94. been driving them exclusivly since 95.

I've discussed trans issues with jrs3800 before. It seems like the 2.84 ratio transmissions hold up very well. Any other ratio trans, and the life-mileage tends to be around the 160-180k range, no matter how well the trans was cared for. Why this is, is anyones guess.

If the fluid looks good, I would suspect issues with the solenoids. Or maybe your vaccuum modulator since it controls line pressure. If you take your car in to a shop, have them check your line pressure. There is a port on the top of the transmission that allows a gauge to be hooked up to it, and will tell you rather quickly if your line pressure is healty or not.

this may also be related but I overlooked it in earlier posts.

In the morning at first start....and this is especially related to cool outside/overnight temperatures....when first started....when dropping from park to reverse....reverse is not there.

If I drop it down to low/1st....it catches and then reverse is available.