AWD Auto Trany issues?

[Salsa Guy]

Ok all I've got 3 symtoms with Auto Tranny. As you know I recently installed a TRD SC and up until the last couple of weeks havn't driven it much (my wife has though). 1) Lugging about 40MPH (about 1500 rpms) under easy acceleration. It's slow to down shift or doesn't until press more down on the gas pedal 2) Hard shift 3-4 under med-hard acceleration. Kinda bangs in there. It's fine easy to medium or even hard.3) The tranny fluild is clean and no burn smell but the level is above the high mark (for hot). Last time I check it was fine. Didn't think the Kwik Lube place added any during last service. So what you all think. Get the extra fluid out and see what happens? What's the best way to do that? I was planning on changing it over to a Synthetic soon and tranny cooler should I do that now?

[keithvibe]

Quote, originally posted by rmckinjr »Ok all I've got 3 symtoms with Auto Tranny. As you know I recently installed a TRD SC and up until the last couple of weeks havn't driven it much (my wife has though). 1) Lugging about 40MPH (about 1500 rpms) under easy acceleration. It's slow to down shift or doesn't until press more down on the gas pedal This is normal, the car will try to hold the highest gear to increase MPG, I usually use the overdrive button to get it to shift better2) Hard shift 3-4 under med-hard acceleration. Kinda bangs in there. It's fine easy to medium or even hard.normal for those who have the TRD SCer, 80-85% of the people complain about this, some have had the valve body upgraded to help with this issue3) The tranny fluild is clean and no burn smell but the level is above the high mark (for hot). Last time I check it was fine. Didn't think the Kwik Lube place added any during last service. remove the return line on the transmission, the line that you would intercept to add a cooler and drain out some fluid to get it to the correct levelSo what you all think. Get the extra fluid out and see what happens? What's the best way to do that? I was planning on changing it over to a Synthetic soon and tranny cooler should I do that now? my replys are in bold

[Salsa Guy]

Thanks Keith....see what you look forward to! LOL

[Salsa Guy]

Anyway after serval days of checking the tranny fluid level (while hot and running) it looks like it's about 1/2 inch above the highest hot mark. So today I'm draining some fluid. It's been a slow go because I have it up on ramps. About how much you think I should drain. 1cup or pint?

[keithvibe]

if it's 1/2 inch above remove about 1pint. You can always add it back if you have removed too much, so long as you collect it in a clean container

[BlueCrush]

I am well aware of these symptoms and will be expecting them in the future as well. I have experienced the 3-4 bang before as well, without the S/C and have found it is all about the throttle position. It used to happen to me a half dozen times a year.(only because I drive my Vibe pretty hard-always have, always will) To minimize to so it almost never happens to me anymore, I can tell when it is about to happen and I just ease off the throttle, until it shifts then press on the gas again. I had it happen once in the past 2 years. Only because I was distracted and wasn't paying attention as closely.

[Salsa Guy]

Well my Mazda and Taurus were the same way with shifting querks. I guess it's just a matter of learning them and adjusting. But that 40Mph lugging is a pain. I should be able to adjust the shift pattern to hold it out until 45MPH. I really don't like turning the OD off and on. Drained some fluid yesterday, about 1 cup, will check the level when I get home.

[Salsa Guy]

Well I got the level back down to a normal hot range. Drain about 3 cups total. Will be checking it closely the next several days. Plan on changing it over to a Synthetic real soon with a tranny cooler.

[keithvibe]

noice