Transmission dying?

[caveman017]

I've got a 97 4 cyc auto.

I went to accelerate into traffic today and it clunked into 2nd and seems to flutter before shifting in to third gear.

After testing it, putting it in the "2" position, the car will not go above 3000 RPM in 2nd gear. I figured out that it also does this fluttering around 3000 RPM as well.

Is it dying and time to trash the car? Its got just under 150,000 miles on it, so its probably only worth 2400 at most.

[Frodo65]

Originally Posted by caveman017

I've got a 97 4 cyc auto.

I went to accelerate into traffic today and it clunked into 2nd and seems to flutter before shifting in to third gear.

After testing it, putting it in the "2" position, the car will not go above 3000 RPM in 2nd gear. I figured out that it also does this fluttering around 3000 RPM as well.

Is it dying and time to trash the car? Its got just under 150,000 miles on it, so its probably only worth 2400 at most.

Well, it COULD be.

But maybe not. Do a proper job of diagnosing the problem - like any MIL codes found, what the ATF level and condition is, what it was running like before the incident, and like when the timing belt has been done.

The symptoms you're could be something quite simple and relatively inexpensive. If you're itching for a newer car, fine - but don't give up on this one before a proper diagnosis.

[LynchburgCSI]

^ +1. And DON'T abuse the tranny or even push it hard until you know whats wrong. For all you know right now, you could be making things MUCH worse. I've seen transmissions destroyed that way before... first hand experience.

[caveman017]

The computer hasn't thrown any codes or error lights. Everything was fine before. Timing belt was done maybe 25-30k ago?

Just replaced the brakes and a stuck caliper last month.

[LynchburgCSI]

^ We didn't throw a CEL either. Just be careful.

[JohnGD]

What's the ATF's condition and level? When was the last time it was changed and/or pan dropped and cleaned?

When you say flutter do you mean the engine does that before the transmission shifts?

Originally Posted by caveman017

I've got a 97 4 cyc auto.

I went to accelerate into traffic today and it clunked into 2nd and seems to flutter before shifting in to third gear.

After testing it, putting it in the "2" position, the car will not go above 3000 RPM in 2nd gear. I figured out that it also does this fluttering around 3000 RPM as well.

Is it dying and time to trash the car? Its got just under 150,000 miles on it, so its probably only worth 2400 at most.

[carsrus]

Drop the pan. If its clean there's a good chance its not major. These cars are really easy to change the fluid on.

If you were in stop and go traffic it could have overheated a bit.

[caveman017]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

What's the ATF's condition and level? When was the last time it was changed and/or pan dropped and cleaned?

When you say flutter do you mean the engine does that before the transmission shifts?

The fluid is up where it is supposed to be. In the 5 years I've owned the car, I've never touched it. I remember reading that thats one of the things that you shouldn't change on a car as it could cause problems. I've only done 20k on the car on the time I've had it.


By flutter, I mean when the car reaches around 3000 RPM in 2nd gear, it goes between 2700-3000 rpm for a few seconds (back and forth) then shifts to third.


When I checked it, it seemed to be a light brown with a reddish tint. I did see (or well maybe forced myself to see) a few micro-metal shavings when wiped off.

[Nervous]

Originally Posted by caveman017

The fluid is up where it is supposed to be. In the 5 years I've owned the car, I've never touched it. I remember reading that thats one of the things that you shouldn't change on a car as it could cause problems.

This is total BS, and no surprise you are having problems with transmission. Replace it NOW. Several times (one drain-refill replaces only about 40%). Drop the pan, clean it, clean (or replace) the strainer.

[LittleWhiteBubble]

I would just do a drain and fill first. Doing a complete flush with a lot of miles sometimes freaks a transmission out.

[caveman017]

Hm. Drove to work. Today. No problems. I dont get it. 14 mile drive

[Eye8Pussies]

does/did it do the same thing in other gears as well?

if you are actually seeing metal shavings in the autotranny dipstick- your tranny is pretty much done for. But that's almost impossible to happen since any shavings till almost always stay in the pan. So it's probably your imagination.


As for fluctuating rpms, it could potentially be the torque converter, but fluctuating rpms more often than not point to something on the motor and not the tranny, and it may be the exact load at the exact gear change that causes it. In addition, something wrong with the tranny will most likely not prevent you engine from spinning past 3000rpm- if the torque converter is not catching properly or if the clutch packs are failing, the engine will still spin, but the tranny will not- so rpms will continue to go up without increasing vehicle speed

In this case, I would say clean your maf and other engine related sensors, as bad readings or dirty sensors can affect the rpm/load readings of the ecu

[Camry LE 94]

Dead! Just kidding... You'll know if it's dying because it'll be obvious. When my tranny died 2x, both times putting it into any gear yielded 0 positive results.

[fenixus]

I agree with Nervous's point - i can't believe people believe in not changing tranny fluid at certain mileage, because it will hurt it. what a non sense ... check fluid level and color (and smell) first, then make a few drains & refills, drop & clean the pan, you can still save it or at least try.

[caveman017]

Originally Posted by fenixus

I agree with Nervous's point - i can't believe people believe in not changing tranny fluid at certain mileage, because it will hurt it. what a non sense ... check fluid level and color (and smell) first, then make a few drains & refills, drop & clean the pan, you can still save it or at least try.

I don't know. The shop my dad gets work done at said it could cause more harm as the shavings could be what is holding the transmission together and that we should try to trade it in if possible.