Thread: No codes, slipping and banging

Just took it to the transmission shop, did a diagnosis says the problem is hydraulic because I am not throwing any codes, and he argued with me that I would not get a code for the transmission not changing before.06 seconds because the car is not new enough, I find that every where on here, but I may have read it wrong. Am I right or wrong, I think he argued with me because I am female and not supposed to know anything about them there car thingys! Plus he kept staring at my boobs right in front of me, geeze, at least do it when I'm not talking to you! Anyway, he said the bang from dead stop is because my mounts are busted, Uh no ****, I saw that when we changed the fluid and filter the other night! Also he said I need a complete rebuild because it is slipping and hard shifting. My other question is, is he right, my car doesn't act up when its cold, only once warmed up. Oh and for everyone who says these trannys are sensitive to fluid levels, he says even though I am a quart low it wouldn't make a difference! Frustrated!

Didnt look low on fluid, but added a bit anyway, and bam, now its acting perfectly normal? Wth is up with my car lol!

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

If it's low on fluid, it's quite common to act up.

You know how to check the fluid? Start it up, park on level ground. Clean dipstick and check it with the engine running? That's all there is to it.

I ensure mine are full to the top line. IIRC it was Intense Racing that used to suggest adding one pint over the full mark to ensure there was no fluid starvation on hard left turns. Causes all the fluid to slosh away from the pump. Apparently the pint was the answer.

Thanks for the explanation, but yes I know how to check it! Isn't it bad to have too much fluid in the tranny? We added some more yesterday anyway, and now on a 40 minute drive through town, light traffic but every red light, it would act up, amd then be fine, and then act up again. Idk wth, ready to slam it into a wall lol!

So appearantly, I have code p1811.. Shop says needs to be rebuilt, any opinions?

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

Awesome.. finally popped a code for you.

P1811, if you search google or here, you'll find this to be super common to the transmission. The typical issue there is a soleniod commonly referred to as one of two names. EPC - Electronic Pressure Control or PCS - Pressure Control Soleniod. It's job is to control pressure and commonly a shift kit can help with the issue as you'll find when you search. It's a bandaid that is relatively cheap and easy to install. It may help, it may fix the issue..it may not.

Here's a link of a sponsored vendor that explains it well. Harsh Shift, P1811


The accumulator is where the shift kit is installed.

I cannot thank u enough for all your help! I jus remembered the guy had also told me the scanner runs the solenoids as well and he said mine are all checking out fine, could that still be an issue? I had seen the page for the shift kit, and have read quite a bit about it, but im just double checking, I guess. Im so relieved it did throw a code. I had asked the mechanic why it only does it sometimes, their answer, idk of course. Yesterday I left from my house, was not warmed up, ran fine, after about 10 minutes it started getting really rough, then about 10 minutes later it then ran fine all the wayto the shop and all the way home, never shuting the car off. Really puzzles me. Also, if I have worn clutches, wouldnt I have at least some shavings in my fluid?

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

Clutches are what turn the fluid darker in color. Clutches wear..think of brake pads, the clutch is the same principle.

The soleniods the guy tested for were likely the shifting and torque converter soleniods. He likely didn't screw a pressure tester into the top of the transmission then tell the pressure solenoid to vary pressure while watching the manual gauge with a hose leading to the trans. That's the only way I know of to test that soleniod properly.

Often a shift kit does help and many use it as a last resort before paying for a trans to be swapped or rebuilt. You can get the Transgo one and install is relatively simple. Drop the trans pan (draining fluid in the process) with 20 10mm bolts, then remove 5 8mm bolts to get the accumulator off the trans and remove another 6 or so 8mm bolts and put in a few springs and spacers per the picture, bolt it back together, put it back in and put the pan/new filter in place. Refill with 6-7.5 quarts of fluid ...then start the testing.

Ok great info, good to know that! We are going to do the shift kit, I just have a question. Do we change out both of the accumulator springs, or just the one? also, since I just changed my filter and fluid, would I be able to reuse them? I know sounds cheap! lol! thanks again for your help!