real time help: stranded with tranny woes

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A

audi5000

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Jul 25, 2007
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4
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Hi all. I wish this was not my first post. For the past few months I had read this forum extensively in preparing to buy my 1993 cruiser and readying her for a two week roadtrip from Sacramento to Vancouver. I had planned to post pics, and still do, when I return.

Therein lies the problem, currently I am stranded in Squamish, which is about an hour north of Vancouver. I only have first and fourth gears...and the overdrive button is flashing. This happened about a week before and I limped it into Longview, WA. The tranny mechanic pulled about ten tranny related codes and a crank sensor code, which would explain the intermittent engine light, i think. Anyhow, he said it was electrical in nature and fixed it.

Truck ran great until today, when it started exhibiting the same problems. I called the tranny shop, but the mechanic is out for a while. One of the assistants said to disconnect the battery and reconnect and check the fuses. I did and nothing changed. Anyhow, the assistant also said they changed some relays and that the car had lost reverse at the shop.

At this point, I would just like to limp it home, but am worried about it getting worse. I have an appointment at a local shop tomorrow.

Anyhow, any help would be much appreciated...my number is 9162136366 if anyone wants to give me a buzz. checking email is a bit of an ordeal out here

If it helps, I did recently install a stereo with an ipod hookup.
 
It's a 93, so no OBDII. Anybody know if he puts the engine in "service mode" with a jumper as if checking the timing it would cause the engine/tranny to bypass circuits and operate in a basic manner a'la a limp home mode? Just a thought.

I'm also curious if your last comment about the stereo means it did not do this until you installed the stereo? In other words, did it run normally always before this?

So, did the tranny shop give you a detailed receipt as to what codes were pulled and what they replaced? If not, you're really hosed as to figuring this out.

By interesting coincidence, I'll be passing through Squamish on Sunday evening so if something can be delivered here parts wise I may be able to deliver it.

DougM
 
Thanks, guys. Doug, I hope I will be out of here by Sun, but I will let you know if I need a part.

At this point, I am probably going to barrel down I5 back to Sacto. The truck seems fine in 4th gear, and was able to negotiate plenty of steep grades when it broke down previously.

The thing I am most worried about is losing all gears entirely or reverse.

Does anyone know if this is a standard fail safe mode for this tranny...and that it will stay this way.

Also, the truck did not have this problem before I installed the new deck and speakers. I did follow the directions for the pioneer install, and installed a dedicated ipod hookup that charges the ipod while driving. Maybe the ipod plus the new stereo is overloading something...but that would seem strange.

I just got off the phone with Curtis (thanks, bro) and will be checking the fuses under the dash.

Doug, I did not get a detailed receipt from the prior shop, but hopefully will be able to call him later this evening.

Thanks again for all of your help and let me know if you guys have any other thoughts.

David
 
If its stereo related, you can also disconnect the stereo as completely as you can from the harness - especially if you were tapping wires for power or grounds in that area. Bummer to drive that way, but just pick up a set of cheap earbuds and motor on. It would be quite a clue if you did this and the tranny began acting normally...

DougM
 
Doug, as for the codes, I recall that they were like solenoid 1, solenoid 1 valve, solenoid 2, solenoid 2 valve, reverse sensor, etc. The guy who pulled the codes said that he had never seen so many codes. Again, I do recall that there was a crank position sensor code also. A check engine light has come on intermittently, although it is not currently on even with the tranny probs.
 
Not to be Captain Obvious, but have you checked the fluid level? I'd guess the shop did, but maybe you have a leak? Forgive me if you're rolling your eyes right now. :D

-Spike
 
The code was 63. That was the only code.

Fluid level is good. I unplugged the ipod...no change. I would rather not disconnect the stereo yet...but I did drive without the stereo on but the truck drove the same.

As for hard shifting, the truck seems possessed. Low does seem consistently first. Sometimes second gets me third. This last time, second got me neutral...i.e. free revving. Depressing the od button does not make a difference.

Thanks again for all your help...keep it coming8-)
 
It does sound like its electrical, not mechanical.........any loud grinding sounds when you were driving?
 
I recently finished a successful hunt and repair of a couple of tranny codes and similar symptoms on my '94. check the wires (BIG) bundle by firewall just to the drivers side of the valve cover. this bundle can chaffe or get heated because of its close proximity to the EGR pipe. VISUALLY look at the bundle. don't tear into it and rip all the covering off like I did it just wastes time. visually go over the wiring runs to look for abraded covering, etc. Look for obvious things first. go slowely. there are three or 4 big wiring connectors above the starter inspect these runs where they go rearward from the connectors back along on top drivers side of tranny. in my case I found and repaired a few wires that had become pinched between the firewall/bulkhead and the hard pipes that pipe engine coolant back to the rear heater. I found access for this process improved by removing the driver's side wheel, the two rearmost rubber skirts in that wheel well, and the starter.

Good luck...go slowely and take a break when you get:mad: stay:cool:
 
stayalert said:
I recently finished a successful hunt and repair of a couple of tranny codes and similar symptoms on my '94.
...in my case I found and repaired a few wires that had become pinched between the firewall/bulkhead and the hard pipes that pipe engine coolant back to the rear heater.
Click to expand...

Wow! That is some good sleuthing!!
 
Hey fellas, well the diagnosis is a bad second solenoid. Shop cannot get the part until Tuesday, because the nearest part seems to be in Cali.

Anyhow, I am just going to chance it. It is a pretty straight shot down I5 and the truck is fine as long as i am at freeway speeds. Hopefully it stays status quo.

Curtis, I have your number in case I need help near Medford. I will be taking off early tomorrow am.

Thanks again for your help. Also, if anyone knows where to get a solenoid without paying dealer prices, that would be great.

David
 
audi5000 said:
if anyone knows where to get a solenoid without paying dealer prices, that would be great.

David
Click to expand...

Here:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showpost.php?p=173756&postcount=1

He stocks way more Cruiser parts than other dealers, charges less, and generally watches over us. (Unless he's mad at us. :D)

He's been known to deliver parts overnite, so if you're having any second thoughts about your cannonball run, give him a call first thing tomorrow morning.

Otherwise, good luck, be safe, and PULL OVER if it gets ANY worse. Killing your tranny will cost you several thousand dollars; make darn sure your hurry is worth the risk.

Curtis
 
One comment on the limp home attempt. I'd do EVERYTHING to maximize my chances of success and minimize the possibility of damaging the tranny. Here's my short list:

Buy a spray bottle of Simple Green or similar degreaser. Soak the tranny cooler (square thing behind driver's side of grille - small radiator), the A/C condenser (large radiator thing behind tranny cooler) and the radiator (behind A/C condenser) with a half bottle while sitting somewhere you can then hose out all three units. Repeat.

Turn the engine on and be sure the 'tranny temp' light works. It and all idiot lights should come on for a few seconds each time you turn the engine on, or to the 'acc' position before turning themself off again. That way you know if you are driving that you'll get a hint that the tranny's overheating while driving.

I'd not use the A/C to help keep drivetrain temps down.

I'd pump my tires to the sidewall max to minimize rolling resistance and thus drive train temps. This is going to be all about NOT overheating the tranny.

I'd check the tranny fluid level at every stop and smell it for scorching. If you smell it, do a tranny drain right on the spot. You'll need 6.2 quarts to replace what comes out the drain and a long funnel most roadside gas stations sell.

Best of luck, man!

DougM
 
If you're still in the area, I am in Port Coquitlam, out-skirts of Vancouver, as part of Coastal Cruisers we get good discounts at a couple of Toyota dealerships for parts. Also I do know some mechanics in town so you can call me if you still need a hand.
604.803.3506.
I would offer more assistance but right now work has me beyond swamped.
 
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