Transmission Problem (1 Viewer)

[frosty]

Hi Folks,
My 93 with 140k miles started having some intermittent transmission problems a couple of weeks ago where it appeared to be starting off in a gear other than 1st (I'm thinking 2nd or even 3rd).

It only happened a couple of times this particular day and I thought well maybe it was time to have the tranny flushed.
so I went out last Tuesday and shelled out the 150 bucks for the flush (which did make shifting smoother and operation of the gear selector easier) but yesterday the problem returned again. It only seems to happen when the truck sits for a couple of days and only for 15 minutes or so after startup.
I'm planing to take the truck From SF to sedona on Friday
but unless I can solve this problem, I may have to rent something instead.

Other than the occasional low idle every once in a while and
and the (hopefully fixed with a new PCV valve) high oil consumption problem, the truck runs fine.

Any ideas before I take it to the local Transmission shop?

Thanks,
Frosty

 

[RavenTai]

does the 93 have a 2nd start switch?

 

[GXO]

sure sounds like it could be that...good call.

 

[frosty]

I wish it were that easy but it doesn't have one (at least that I know of)...
I'm going outside now to see if I can pull some diagnostic codes from it.
Frosty

 

[frosty]

Great, my o/d lights are out, so I can't get the diag codes.
Yet another project ...

 

[lagwagon]

I recently had a problem with my '91 with 250K+ miles. I removed the pan, cleaned the screen, and retorqued the valve body. I also adjusted the TV cable(the cable from the throttle body to the trans). There is no longer a delay and it shifts as well as any Cruiser I have driven.

 

[PHAEDRUS]

have you adjusted the kick down cable yet??
just stabbing here.
Dave

 

[robbie]

Another place to look is at the wiring harness just above the starter. Some times coolant leaks in to the harness connections and creates problems. If not fluid then I would pull them apart a couple of time to make sure no corrison has occured and they make good connections. Then I would also try the connections at the tranny. Sounds like you do not have a good connection some where. later robbie

 

[sjcruiser]

Frosty,

Add speed sensors to your check list.

Frank.

 

[cruiserman]

[quote author=RavenTai link=board=2;threadid=16134;start=msg154354#msg154354 date=1084285522]
does the 93 have a 2nd start switch?
[/quote]

No.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Frosty,

I've owned mine since new and it has done this perhaps 3 times. Maybe once every other year or so and it has not done it in a couple years. So, don't freak out that it's failing. Don't go near a tranny shop. Let circulation of the fresh fluid (which has very strong detergents to clean) over a few weeks/months have its effect on things. Just drive it. One other person here has also had this odd symptom pop up with no issues - just a quirk that went away, and one person (Cdan?) also had the symptom and chose to replace a couple tranny solenoids and it has never returned as far as I know.

Take it to Sedona and eat puree'd carrots, commune with your spirit and spend money on crystals....

DougM

 

[frosty]

Hi all,
Thanks for the replies.
So far I've checked the kickdown cable and it appears to be within spec, I'll have some fun with dash bulbs today to make sure the tranny isn't reporting an problems and check the speed sensors. Beyond that, I think I'll keep and eye on it and take Dougm's advice and have some puree'd carrots
Frosty

 

[cruiserdan]

You are in the process of losing a #1 shift solenoid. there are two of them in a 442. 85420-60050. I replaced both of mine last July. They list for $164.30 each.



D-

 

[IdahoDoug]

Dan,

I'm not going to pass judgement on your diagnosis, but it's worth noting that mine did this the first time around 30,000 miles, again at perhaps 75,000 miles, and the last time around 100,000 miles. No pattern, no unusual conditions (heat, hard use, etc) or anything. Simply pulled away from a full stop in a taller gear than first. Each time I worried that something was amiss. Months, then years went by with no issues. I think 90% of owners may not have even noticed it.

At around 60,000 miles, we got a heavy boat and began a lot of towing, so I switched to a more aggressive tranny fluid schedule. So, the tranny's definitely not been babied and despite hard use it appears that glitch has been resolved.

I think it may be there was some dirt or accumulation and that the solenoids are the canary in the coal mine that happened to be affected until the fluid was changed out enough. Dunno. But had it happened several times in a short period, or developed a pattern I'd have done as you did and replaced them.

In sum, consider some aggressive fluid changeouts and time before cracking the tranny. Happily, if that needs to be done, the parts and work are not too bad.

DougM

 

[cruiserdan]

Gloves off

Doug,

I am dead right on this one. The symptoms are exactly the same as mine and two others that I have personally been involved with in the repair process. The transmission, vehicle mileage, quirks, ETC match up to a "T"

This quacks like a duck and walks like a duck.

Oh, re service intervals. Mine was serviced at 15k, 30k, 45k, 60k (full replacement),75k, 90k, 105k (full replacement), due later this week at 120k.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Dan,

What were the later symptoms? Does it simply happen more and more until it will no longer shift?

No worries about differing outcomes here. Just wanted him to know there's some daylight to consider.

DougM

 

[cruiserdan]

The failure to start out in 1st gets progressively worse until 1st is totally out of the loop. The TCM stores a code that identifies the problem. The trouble-shooting table leads one to believe that the valve body is suspect. I believe that this is not totally accurate.

 

[frosty]

Well work got in the way of my replacing the od bulb yesterday, but is sounds to me like Dan has this issue pegged.
I'm going to try and get the solenoid's replaced by tomorrow, but I can't help but ask the question and keep in mind the problem hasn't resurfaced since Monday.

If I can't get them replaced in time for my trip and the #1 solenoid fails will it cause damage or will I be ok if I don't get into any off-road situations that really need 1st gear.
Or should I just play it safe and rent that Expedition...
Thanks,
Steve

 

[ginericLC]

[quote author=frosty link=board=2;threadid=16134;start=msg156064#msg156064 date=1084456861]

Or should I just play it safe and rent that Expedition...
Thanks,
Steve

[/quote]

I can't believe you used SAFE and Expedition in the same sentence. Maybe it is just Idaho? but I see a lot of them sitting on their lids in the ditch. I guess I shouldn't blame the vehicle entirely because of course there is somebody behind the wheel controlling it. Too many folks think that AWD and 4WD make them indestructable.

 

[edwards_rljr]

did frosty's transmission issue ever get resolved?

I've been reading several threads on here about similar transmission shifting issues... and there seems to be some conflicting results... one person apparently fixed their issue with the new solenoids.. one replaced the solenoids and it didn't fix the problem... this thread doesn't have a resolution at all... my 1993 FZJ80 has a very similar issue and I really don't have $300 to drop for nothing if it doesn't fix the problem... so, Frosty, did you figure out what was wrong with yours? did you replace the solenoids? was it the electrical connections?