tranny shifting funny?

[marco93L]

Will the tranny spit codes out (check engine) if it starts to act up?

The reason that I ask is that mine, just yesterday, seems to be hanging up in second alittle longer than usual, then shifts into third alittle hard and later than normal.

It has alittle over a 100K on it now. I am sure that it could use a tranny flush, but I dont want to waste alot of money doing this when it may have to go to the tranny shop and they dump it all out.

Oh, and since you are already reading this:
How hard and would it be wise for me to change the fluid and the filter for the tranny? I know that I will not get it all out, there will be some in the converter, but I am sure that it will help.

Thanks
Marco

 

[rsimmons1]

The LS does shift harder than a lot of other vehicles. Personally I'd get the trans flushed since you're overdue.

 

[joegr]

1. Transmission problems will set some OBDII codes if they are bad enough, but they apparently have to be pretty bad. My 04 started having rough shifts and harsh engagement. It didn't set any codes. I had the solenoid valve assembly replaced and that fixed it completely.
2. Search (yeah, I know) for it. Some DIY procedures for changing the fluid in the pan have been posted here. My own opinion is that changing the small amount of fluid in the pan and leaving the large amount inside the rest of the transmission doesn't help much. If you really need the fluid changed, then you really need to change all of it. The service schedule claims that the fluid is good for 150K miles.

 

[marco93L]

Thats scary. My first Ls shifted like a caddy. I couldnt hardly tell when it was shifting except under WOT. That is the way that this one is also, except the 2nd to 3rd shift.

I noticed lately since it has been cold, when I shift the car into drive or reverse, it shifts pretty hard into gear. This only happens sometimes.

I think that I will look into changing the fluid in the car as much as I dont want to.

 

[joegr]

...I noticed lately since it has been cold, when I shift the car into drive or reverse, it shifts pretty hard into gear. This only happens sometimes...

That's the solenoid valve assembly starting to fail. I suspect that changing the fluid before changing the valve would be a waste.

 

[marco93L]

Any ideas on what something like that would cost?

And could I do it at the house vs. a shop?

 

[mrshl13]

I was quoted $1000 for parts and labor at a stealership. I'd say you can get the parts and fluid for <$500 and do it yourself. You need to have the car level and a method to feed (force?) the fluid into the transmission through the fill/check port. There's a DIY thread on here somewhere from somebody who did a fluid flush himself. Add dropping the pan and replacing the solenoid pack (which should be one of the first things you see with the pan off) to that. When I have the cash I will probably do it myself as I have the same problem.

 

[joegr]

Any ideas on what something like that would cost?

And could I do it at the house vs. a shop?

I think the dealer charge is about $700. (MY bill was over $900, but I had some other stuff done at the same time.)

I don't see my you can't do it yourself, if you are good with your hands, have a copy of the factory manual, don't mind getting dirty, and have a lift. (It was that last item that caused me to let them do it.)