Strange down shifts. Video!

[crysalis]

Hey all!

Quick question. Hopefully this is nothing major, but I wanted to see what your thoughts are. Recently, my car started to do this when giving her 40-60% throttle on higher speeds. Notice it starts to almost as if you went WOT, but then it adjusts quickly back to what it should have.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4CEYPofsEQ

I'm hoping this is just a dirty throttle body or something simple. I cleaned it last year, but didn't take it off for a really good cleaning. Any thoughts?

[dsmuts]

seems like your tc isn't unlocking right away.

[02NavyBlue]

It's weird how the rpm's go up then back down. I'd think if the torque converter was at fault it would go up, wait, then go up more or something. Apparently it doesn't always do it huh.

[crysalis]

Doesn't always do it when cold... but I can recreate the problem every time when its up to temp. It's always high speeds and always just about 60% throttle.

Seems like it is, to me, the torque converter clutch solenoid. Ugh. Anyone agree? I guess with 136k miles on it, she has a right to die.

[02NavyBlue]

Ehh I'm not so sure. But you can test it! Right before you're going to make it happen when it's hot, use your left foot to press the brake just enough to activate the brake light, you will see the torque converter unlock.(rpms go up 150 or so) Then give it gas and see if it still does it. The converter would already be unlocked, so it can't be the problem if it still does it.

[crysalis]

I'll give it a try on the way home from work. I didn't even think to try that.

[crysalis]

Tested it out - it does it no matter if I brake or not. So, not the solenoid. Maybe clutch packing?

[02NavyBlue]

I thought it would still do it. I didn't think the accumulator would cause that, it just determines shift speed. In this case it's actually late to apply, so maybe. I'm not really sure. Is there a shift kit in it?