Transmission slipping/hunting for gear?

**The Chad** · 06-16-2009

I have an '01 GTP with 104,000 miles on it, and the tranny is beginning to act strangely. Today I was driving up a slight incline, and the tranny went to upshift into probably 4th gear. I watched the tach needle drop to reflect the gear that it was changing into, but then it began erratically bouncing back and forth between 1200 and 1400 rpm, sort of like it was slipping or hunting for which gear to go into. It's been doing that sort of thing for a few days now.
There's also a small amount of bubbles on the dipstick when I checked it. The fluid is at the top of the XXX's, and I'd just changed it again (not flushed of course) about two weeks ago. Been using Dexron VI for a year. Any ideas on what I should do or check?

**GPSims39** · 06-17-2009

was it just that one time? it might have been just from the incline, the computer didnt know which one it should be in, i know when i have my throttle set at a point and im up hill it will stay in 3rd until i level off and then it will shift into 4th even tho the speed has been the same the whole way up.

**The Chad** · 06-18-2009

Sadly not, happens on any slight incline, or if I'm accelerating during the shift into 4th. Read an alarming post on Triple Edge Performance website that seems to fit my problem, but not certain that's what it is. Is there a way to check codes exclusively for the tranny? My service engine light isn't on or anything. I'd like to find out how to diagnose this before anything more serious happens! Any ideas?

**GPSims39** · 06-18-2009

Not sure, it does seem like the computer is searching as to wich gear is best, but im sure trannyman will hop on here and give his wisdom to the issue, as i know no light comes on for trans issues, it needs to be scanned and the pcm will give it out.

**The Chad** · 06-18-2009

Good to know, so there is a way to get the tranny codes.

I hope trannyman does hop on here soon. Looks like he really knows what he's doing, and it's been my experience that my local transmission shops don't know too much about our tranny's.

**GPSims39** · 06-18-2009

yeah he builds and rebuilds these for a living, hes the main expert on the site,

**The Chad** · 06-22-2009

OK, just had it scanned for codes, and nothing came up. It smells like hot tranny fluid after I park... now that can't be a good thing. Not leaking, shifts well except for the bouncy tach going into fourth... Anyone have any ideas of what to check since I'm not getting any codes?

**GPSims39** · 06-23-2009

Drop Dave an email, he hasent been on here a lot latley,
dave@tripleedgeperformance.com he should be able to help you out.

**dagger** · 06-23-2009

sounds like you have the same issue I have, which from what I can tell is the TCC valve being screwed up. All it takes is a load on the engine (going up a hill trying to accelerate) and the tach will start to bounce up and down and you can hear the car doing the same.

**The Chad** · 06-24-2009

I'll email Dave, thanks for the contact info. And you're right Dagger, that's how mine acts. Did you tackle that repair yourself, or have someone else do it?

**Trannyman95** · 06-24-2009

It does sound you like you have the common TCC rpm bounce/surge problem with your trans just as you read on my website. If you can scan the car with a scan tool that displays transmission data you can watch TCC RPM Slippage and you will see the rpm flucuation there. The pcm wants to see a constant 2-50 rpm of slippage roughly as it will never be completely locked up so it has a smooth apply feeling, keeps the engine feeling a bit smoother, and also so you dont feel it bump in and out of TCC. There are a number of causes to this problem but most of that is covered on my website. There is not a simple one-answer fix to this problem. Is your pcm stock or has it been modified? Do you have access to using a tuner? There are ways to bandaid the problem if you can tune but that doesnt fix the wear inside the trans.

**GPSims39** · 06-24-2009

He Has Spoken!

**Trannyman95** · 06-24-2009

Geez and ya dont even offer me a beer..... LOL

**GrandPrixGT00** · 06-28-2009

Originally Posted by GPSims39

He Has Spoken!

LMAO!

**The Chad** · 06-24-2009

Oh man, you just made LOL, GPSims!

Trannyman, thanks for the reply... and would ya like a beer? Ha! Anyway, it's a stock PCM, and I don't have access to a tuner.

Your site says that the pressure relief valve can get clogged with debris, causing it to run hot. Maybe that's why it smells like burning fluid. What are your thoughts? At any rate, looks like I'll need to have the trans rebuild or replaced in the near future. If so, I'd welcome a recommendation to a good shop. Ugh, my poor trans...

**minichopper6hp** · 06-24-2009

diy

**GTPJOE90** · 06-24-2009

whip out that checkbook man... =[ lol

**The Chad** · 06-25-2009

Whipping out the checkbook = evil!

I may try this myself, I do everything else myself anyway. I'm gonna check around on here for info about it.

**Lawngoose** · 06-28-2009

Im curious to what you could do with a tuner (mine does this same thing...uphill only) to bandaid this. 132k here stock tranny FTW!

**The Chad** · 06-30-2009

Me too, I've got 104k on a stock tranny, this is my first hiccup so far (with this GTP that is, my '00 fried input clutch at 58k). I always take good care of my stuff, too, but alas, some things we cannot prevent. I blame the previous owners.

Quick question... is 104k too late for a shift kit?