GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Copied from the matrix site ,,,,looking for anyone else with similar problems .Hi guys .I am new to the site and own a 2005 matrix XR with the awd package .Its one of those nasty canadain built cars missing all the anodised bolts .The car has approx 110,00 km or 68,000 miles . Everything is factory .The only issue I have is a very harsh downshift clunk at highway speeds .No lights on the dash indicating any issues .I dont dare try passing anyone as i dont want to blow the trans . The problem will also show up if the trans downshifts as I go up hills therefore I try to coast uphill .The downshift bang is intermittant but feels like a bind up between 2 clutch packs inside the trans to the point where the tires will actually chirp when the trans downshifts from 4th gear to 3rd .Ive tapped on the brake pedal before passing in the attempt to turn the converter clutch off to eliminate converter unlock as a possibilty but not sure if tapping the brake pedal tells the ECM to shut the converter off . If I watch the tachometer on the dash , the revs dont go up 300 to 400 rpmLet me tell you I thought I was gonna kiss the windshield when the problem started leaving a debris field of U341F automatic transmission parts scattered down the highway .I use to rebuild Toyota transmissions in the past .Before I dig into the valve body or put the car on a scanner , I am looking for other Matrix owners who have experienced the same or similar issues .Is there a shift kit or recalibration kit available for the Toyota U341F transmission valve body ?What type of transmission fluid do you recomend for the trans ?

I'm runnig AMSoil in the Tranny, Transfer Case, and Rear Diff. I have about 110K miles on my car with no issues.The first thing I would do is sniffing the A/T dip stick (for a burned smell) and checking for metal in the fluid. But I'm willing to bet you've done that?

did you have the pcm recall done yet. my dads 2005 was shifting hard before the recal was done.

The recall doesn't include the AWD PCM/ECUs

Would you beleive the Toyota dealer called us and told us to bring the car in for the recall . I drive 8 hours only to find out the car is not involved with the recall . Before I drop the trans pan I was hoping to hear from some Vibe owners just in case this has happened to them . When the downshift issue occurs , its very very unsafe and should be a recall

Quote, originally posted by gearcruncher »What type of transmission fluid do you recommend for the trans ? Toyota Type IV is the consensus.

Quote, originally posted by gearcruncher »Would you beleive the Toyota dealer called us and told us to bring the car in for the recall . I drive 8 hours only to find out the car is not involved with the recall . Before I drop the trans pan I was hoping to hear from some Vibe owners just in case this has happened to them . When the downshift issue occurs , its very very unsafe and should be a recall I told you the AWD/4WD wasn't involved in the recall (you could have check online also). Have you check the fluid for a burn smell and debris yet?