For those of you who have encountered the hard shifting when tranny is hot problem (tranny PCS problem)
- How many of you have installed a shift kit (inside the bottom pan)?
- Which shift kit did you get? For example, the Transgo SK4T65E shift kit that reportedly addresses this problem and smooths and quickens the shifts.
- Did it fix the hard shift when tranny hot problem temporarily or permanently? And if it fixed the problem, how many miles have you driven since installing the shift kit?

I'm asking because the '02 Buick Park Ave Ultra I recently bought (89,000 miles) appears to have the hard shifting tranny when hot problem, and I'm considering my options.

Thanks.

Poll Options:
1 - Yes, fixed permanently
2 - Yes, but fixed only temporarily
3 - No, still shifts hard when tranny is hot

It'* not the shift kit that corrects the problem. It'* the reconditioning of the shift accumulator that does it. I've cleaned up a few for people and that has improved shifting. Some have several years on them and still working good.

I'm not sure I understand what "It'* the reconditioning of the shift accumulator that does it" means.
From what I've read, the TransGo shift kit, for example, includes 3 individual springs that replace each of the original 1-2 and 2-3 springs, and also includes some other parts, but I haven't been able to find any details about the other parts included in the shift kit.

Do the parts in the shift kit "recondition the shift accumulator"? If they don't then what else would need to be done while the bottom pan is off the tranny?

Also, although it also appears that the TransGo shift kit includes additional parts to replace inside the area of the side pan area, I'm not planning on removing the side pan...if removing the side pan is a requirement for fixing this problem, then I'd have to pay a shop to do that.

Thanks.

Check the tech info area, there'* a write up there about building your own shift kit for teh 4t65e transmission. It will explain most of what you need to know.

Update: I called the local tranny shop that has serviced my previous cars, and I described the problem - shifts fine except when stuck in traffic for more than an hour last week, after which it shifted noticeably harder than normal but no unusual noises. They want (cough cough) $3,000 to $3,200 for a complete tranny rebuild. They said it'* safe to drive the car 'for a few days'. Wow! I hope that'* not what'* soon in store for me.

If you have basic tools, and about $50 or so, it'* worth dropping the pan. A simple fluid and filter change, along with servicing the accumulator can do wonders. All your doing is scuffing up the cylinder walls in the accumulator. When they get to smooth it sticks and causes harsh shifting. Some fine sandpaper like 800 grit will do it. And you only need to scuff it a little bit, just take a little of the shine off.

Thanks for the tip on scuffing-up the accumulator.
Is that really a potential long-term solution that has been successful for other 4t65e owners? If it is, that'd be great...and more people should know about that as a first step towards a solution instead of jumping-in and spending money by 1) installing a shift kit or 2) replacing the PCS or 3) getting the tranny rebuilt.

Seems to last for a long time, a few years or so. When the walls get smooth the O ring binds up instead of moving nice and smooth. When installing a shift kit this is the same thing your doing.

Just my 2 cents worth, my 2000 Silhouette had the same problem and got quoted $2500+ to rebuild. I didn't want to invest that into her since we will be getting a new vehicle soon. I researched the problem and started by:
1. changing fluid/filter and running Seafoam trans cleaner for about 500 miles. Not a hard job but messy. Shifting still got hard when in traffic.
2. changed fluid/filter again with just ATF, no cleaners/additives. Hard shifting got worse. Decided to add TRANSCO shift kit.
3. Installed shift kit along with scuffing up the accumulators walls. Again, not a hard job but messy.
Results: 2 days in with heavy downtown Toronto traffic (I'm in sales) along with 90 degree temps, no hard shifts (cross fingers/knock on wood). The shifting is not buttery smooth like before but is acceptable. Kit cost me $80.00 (taxes in) up here. If it lasts another year or so, I'll be more than happy!

The second part of addressing the hard shifting is upgrading the ATF to DEXRON VI. I did that along with the shift kit and 60k miles later no need to rebuild tranny. Prior to the shift kist and DEXRON VI I thought that tranny was going to fail at any time.

This forum saved me a rebuilt tranny......... 4 years ago...