Auto Trans (unsmooth changes)

[robbed666]

Hi All

My 92 58,000 mile TLC has Auto trans and a 6 cylinder Diesel engine (1HD-T).
The gear changes, up & down. Are very severe and "unsmooth".
Is this a normal TLC problem ?
Whats the best way to check the ATF level ?
How do you drain the trans to replace the fluid ?
Are there any simple adjustments that can be made to improve the changes ?

Sorry for all the questions, I've only had the vehicle a couple of days, and I am just going through everything, and sorting out all those little problems you get with a 12 year old Vehicle.

Thanks

Rob

 

[Extreme_Trans]

Hi it's Rodney here from Wholesale Automatics. The shift firmness between gears is better for the diesel than the petrol but it shouldn't be to ruff a gear change. Check the transmissions cable adjustment. It should be about an 1/16 of an inch between the tip of the outer cable and the small crushed collet on the inner cable once you have slipped the orange boot up the cable. Then do a transmission service replacing the filter and replacing the transmission oil with FULL synthetic oil. Remove the rear cooler line that runs back to the transmission from the cooler ( It's the rear one of the 2 ) and using a rubber hose redirect it into a bucket of some sort. Put a gallon in the transmission while the engine is off and then start the car. Keep adding oil until you see the oil coming out of the hose change colour to that of the new oil and turn the engine off. Refit the rear line, restart the car and top the oil up to it's correct level while the transmission is in park and away you go. This is called a full flush service but you are replacing the oil with synthetic. I am presuming that the transmission is in good condition and this should help you. I have always found that the synthetic oil gives you smother shifts than the mineral based oils.
Regards
Rodney
Wholesale Automatic Transmissions

 

[alaskacruiser]

Hi Rodney,
If you're still reading this, I'm curious what tranny (full flush) service interval you recommend for the A442F AND A343F on mineral vs. synthetic fluid.

 

[robbed666]

Thanks Rodney,

Flushed the transmission and filled with Dexron III. The old fluid was really a dirty brown colour. I also adjusted the throttle cable as per your instructions. The car now changes a lot smoother. I will flush again soon and replace the Dexron with synthetic (couldn't get any this morning, only Dexron III).

Is there any way to check that the overdrive is working ?

Best Regards

Rob

 

[firetruck41]

It's a 4 speed automatic (4th is an overdrive), so as long as it shifts through 4 gears, OD is working. The OD button turns off OD when engaged, so if your in fourth when you hit the button, it should downshift to third.

 

[GXO]

[quote author=robbed666 link=board=2;threadid=16408;start=msg157675#msg157675 date=1084641528]
Hi All

My 92 58,000 mile TLC has Auto trans and a 6 cylinder Diesel engine (1HD-T).
The gear changes, up & down. Are very severe and "unsmooth".
Is this a normal TLC problem ?
Whats the best way to check the ATF level ?
How do you drain the trans to replace the fluid ?
Are there any simple adjustments that can be made to improve the changes ?

Sorry for all the questions, I've only had the vehicle a couple of days, and I am just going through everything, and sorting out all those little problems you get with a 12 year old Vehicle.

Thanks

Rob

[/quote]

Anyone else jealous? :'(

 

[MoJ]

That's what I was thinking.......58k miles and a diesel.

 

[e9999]

Just put in only 4 qts of new Dexron III and sure seems to shift smoother, placebo effect or not...

Wow, I'd like to know more about the DIY self-powered trans flush, as in pics, how much this or that, whether one can keep up with a funnel etc, if anybody knows. that would be great.
Sure sounds tempting.

thanks
Eric

 

[robbed666]

Hi Guys & Gals,

The OD button turns off OD when engaged, so if your in fourth when you hit the button, it should downshift to third.

.
Eh? where's the overdrive button ?, I can't find it. My TLC is a Jap import into the UK. We get a lot of Jap imports, as they drive on the left as we do. So the Auto trans might be different than the U.S Cruiser.

My other vehicle is also an import. One you might be familar with :

Sorry not got any Pics of the Cruiser yet,
(soon to be rectified!).

Regards
Rob

 

[drexx]

17May2004 (UTC -7)

[quote author=DanKunz link=board=2;threadid=16408;start=msg158504#msg158504 date=1084816672]
Anyone else jealous? :'(
[/quote]

Well, uhmmm, no 'coz I prefer my 1HD-FT with the H155 5-spd manual tranny than the A442F I can squeeze more power out of the engine when running up and down the California highways...

 

[landtank]

[quote author=DanKunz link=board=2;threadid=16408;start=msg158504#msg158504 date=1084816672]
Anyone else jealous? :'(
[/quote]

Nope, not at all. Don't want a wiesel or a manual tranny.

 

[Riley]

[quote author=DanKunz link=board=2;threadid=16408;start=msg158504#msg158504 date=1084816672]
Anyone else jealous? :'(
[/quote]

Yep. As gas hits 1$/liter here in Vancouver, my old BJ60 diesel starts looking pretty good again. At 58K miles that 80 is barely broken in.

 

[Riley]

[quote author=Extreme_Trans link=board=2;threadid=16408;start=msg157793#msg157793 date=1084669998]
Then do a transmission service replacing the filter and replacing the transmission oil with FULL synthetic oil. Remove the rear cooler line that runs back to the transmission from the cooler ( It's the rear one of the 2 ) and using a rubber hose redirect it into a bucket of some sort. Put a gallon in the transmission while the engine is off and then start the car. Keep adding oil until you see the oil coming out of the hose change colour to that of the new oil and turn the engine off.
...snip...
Regards
Rodney
Wholesale Automatic Transmissions
[/quote]

Hey Rodney.. let me check this.. are you saying to overfill the tranny with a gallon before starting out. Or when you disconnect the line and some starts to fill the bucket... add a gallon before starting?

just checking on exactly how to do this as I'm thinking I'm due as well.

 

[firetruck41]

[quote author=robbed666 link=board=2;threadid=16408;start=msg158714#msg158714 date=1084829307]
Hi Guys & Gals,.
Eh? where's the overdrive button ?, I can't find it. My TLC is a Jap import into the UK. We get a lot of Jap imports, as they drive on the left as we do. So the Auto trans might be different than the U.S Cruiser.[/quote] Maybe yours is different, on the US model it is a little push button on the side of the auto tranny shift lever. An orange "O/D Off" light will come on in the gauge cluster.

 

[robbed666]

Thanks firetruck41 ,

I'll have a look for the button.

As gas hits 1$/liter here in Vancouver

On the subject of Gas prices, here in the UK gas is just below $7 a gallon (US), thats $10 (Can). Of which 80% is Tax !

Rob

 

[e9999]

edited out:
was comment on politicos and taxes
better left out of this nice forum...
E

 

[Extreme_Trans]

I would still do a trans service once a year regardless of what oil you run but to be completly honest you can service the transmission that has Synthetic oil once every 2 years. I just like to see whats going on in side the trans.

Riley you need to put the gallon in after you do the service because the transmission sump will be completely empty. Sorry for not making myself clear. You can even put a gallon and a half in before you start the flush as you are draining it as you go anyway.

Regards
Rodney