Hey guys I need some help with my transmission in my vl calais. It works perfectly in 1st 2nd and 3rd but it wont change into 4th. This makes me think that maybe its an electrical problem. Does anyone know how to fix this??
Please Help
Gold VL Calais
If its an auto, the 4th is actually an overdrive, and if its not changing in there, firstly check to see if the power button is still working properly, overdrive won't engage if the power button is on. If the power button is working, it probably means the overdrive is stuffed, time for a new auto.......
I'm assuming that you already know that the trans needs to heat up before engaging overdrive. So i'll move on.
My car did this and i checked the T- bar and pulled it apart. Sure enough the white wire inside had broken. I wanted to put a connector on it but there is no space so i just twisted the wire back together and taped it up.
Works good now.
Make sure you are careful when you take the top off the T-bar. The power switch has a spring and a clip that can shoot out when you take the top of the T-bar off.
I tried taking the cap off the shifter but everything was working ok.
The transmission drops back to 3rd when I have my foot off the pedal and I press the OD button but it doesn't change to 4th when i'm driving. Could the front band need adjusting, or could it be a faulty solenoid??
Please Help,
Gold Calais
possibly a solenoid? not sure. when the solenoid is engaged 4th is cancelled.
to find out, unplug the trans computer and go for a drive. without the trans comp 4th is always used regardless of trans temp, and there is no kickdown. just unplug it, if it works then its an electronic problem (pwr switch etc). if it doesnt then theres something wrong with the trans or solenoid...
yes thats the one
turn the car off, unplug both connectors. its fine to run without it, you just lose the solenoids (lockup clutch, overdrive CANCEL and kickdown).
as i said if it goes into 4th with it unplugged, then for some reason the electronics is stopping it. could be a bad speed signal, bad solenoid (i have a spare if you want it, can have for price of postage) or a few other things i cant think of right now since ive just had a 12 1/2 hour day
good luck
Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
I unplugged the computer and it didn't make any difference. I'll be able to get a solenoid but thanks for the offer anyway. Is it worthwhile changing the solenoid still and if so what is the the best way to change it. Also I tried to adjust the front band but the locknut is impossible to undo are there any tricks to this???
Thanks Heaps
Gold Calais
no worries.
to adjust the band, you need 8,10 and 17mm ring spanners.
use the 10 to undo the cover
put the 17 on the locknut
and the 8 on the adjustment sticking out through the locknut
hold the 8 still and undo the 17 a good few turns..
tighten the adjustment (8mm) till its firm then back off 1 1/2 turns.
hold the 8 still and tighten the locknut again.
i think that when a jatco is dying they lose 4th first so good luck...
Will adjusting the band help. Do u think that it still worthwhile changing the solenoid if so whats the easiest way. I still dont think that its the tranny because the other three gears are so smooth. My friend had his tranny re-built a few weeks ago and mine is still smoother than his. His O/D doesnt work either and they said that its an electrical problem.
Thanks for your help
Gold calais
i'd replace the solenoid - take one off a car at a wrekcer like u-pull-it or find a transmission wrecker that will give you just the solenoid.
although i have never heard about solenoids failing.. apparently it does happen... i'll try to email a mate of mine in the auto business and he can tell me what else it could be. when i was stuffing around rebuilding my valve body once i put a spring in wrong and it took off in 2nd :x
you'll have to drain the fluid out as it will all come out if you take the solenoid anyway. just catch it in a clean container and put it back in, or do it while you service it if its due...
good luck.
I dont really know alot about how auto tranys work but,
When working properly the bax wont change to 4th till its warm, Im guessing there has to be some type of thermometer in there somewhere to tell the trans computer that it is hot enuf to go to 4th.
If this thermometer wasn't working it might just be telling the computer that it is cold all the time therefor not changing to 4th ever.
I might be completely wrong but it makes sense to me.
Good Luck.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bluvlt
I dont really know alot about how auto tranys work but,
When working properly the bax wont change to 4th till its warm, Im guessing there has to be some type of thermometer in there somewhere to tell the trans computer that it is hot enuf to go to 4th.
If this thermometer wasn't working it might just be telling the computer that it is cold all the time therefor not changing to 4th ever.
I might be completely wrong but it makes sense to me.
Good Luck.
yes, it has a temp sensor underneath the valve body that lets the computer know the temp.
as i said before, if you disconnect the computer, it WILL use 4th REGARDLESS of temp. hes done that and its not using 4th. so the problem is with the solenoid OR its not electronic.
