shifts hard into 3rd gear (automatic)

huffa12 · #1 01-28-2012, 03:08 PM

my truck shifts hard into 3rd gear all the time and as i drive it shifts harder and harder sometimes even slips. I don't know what to do about this or even where to start. So any addvice would be great!

Analogy · #2 01-28-2012, 05:30 PM

i kinda had the same thing happen, may be the mass airflow sensor attached to the air intake. it took awhile for it to trip my cel but it did. my advice would be to pick up some mass air flow sensor cleaner and give it a clean.

huffa12 · #3 01-28-2012, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Analogy

i kinda had the same thing happen, may be the mass airflow sensor attached to the air intake. it took awhile for it to trip my cel but it did. my advice would be to pick up some mass air flow sensor cleaner and give it a clean.

already cleaned it. how does that affect the transmission

Analogy · #4 01-28-2012, 05:57 PM

not 100% sure but i think it monitors the amount if air that is entering the engine and the amount of air is one of the determing factors of when the transmission shifts.

huffa12 · #5 01-28-2012, 06:10 PM

well i cleaned it a few weeks ago and added a spectre air filter helped the truck breath better but trans isn't any better.

Analogy · #6 01-28-2012, 06:14 PM

hmm well im not really sure then. maybe someone else will chime in soon and help ya out.

huffa12 · #7 01-28-2012, 06:23 PM

Hopefully..

huffa12 · #8 02-02-2012, 06:31 PM

bump.. any ideas?

huffa12 · #9 03-04-2012, 12:39 PM

bump. now my transmission has started slipping going into 3rd gear from 2nd gear. anybody have some advice?

RCS MacGyver · #10 03-04-2012, 02:31 PM

Make sure your fluid isnt low for starters

Trans problems are hard to diagnose spot on, but I would recommend a trans oil change, and add something like trans X to it.
It might not be called trans x...... I think the last time I had a trans issue I used a product by the seafoam makers for transmissions. LUCAS might also make something as well.
YOu might be able to just dump a can in on top of what is in there now....... but I would still recommend changing it myself.

When you change the fluid, you drop that pan, and 5 quarts or so will come out. Then replace the filter and the gasket and use a gasket sealer as well. clean everything really well, including the magnet in that pan. I use cheap brake cleaner and let it air dry really well. The transmission is hydraulic so it is best when clean.
When adding the trans fluid, read what the LUCAS or seafoam says, sometimes they replace a quart of fluid, sometimes you just dump in on top of whats in there.

The seafoam or LUCAS will cause seals to swell some and renew clutch faces, etc. It is what I do before the worst case scenario of having it rebuilt or buying a rebuilt and putting it in.

Some people say not to change the fluid in the trans, they think that is where more problems happen, but I dont think that is a issue, so this is just my opinion based on what I have done in the past on vehicles I have owned and working with friends.
If you do change it, I would think about adding a drill in plug (installed while the pan is off the trans) and that helps facilitate a trans oil change later, I put one on mine, and now I can ghange without changing the filter, and do it once a year. When that fluid change is done you dont change all the fluid, only 2/3rds of the total fluid comes out. that is why I change mine yearly, a little bad mixed with the good.

PM me if you need anymore details.
Good luck

huffa12 · #11 03-04-2012, 06:50 PM

well my fluid was alittle low so i added alittle it didnt need much but it didn't help. the fluid is just a tad dirty.. Your answer was just what i was looking for so thank you very much. I'm not gonna change the trans oil myself I'm going to have a shop do it. the one i called wants $90 to do it. don't know if its a fair price or not..

2wdedge · #12 03-04-2012, 06:59 PM

Bring it to a shop to flush the tranny fluid, they will hook it to a machine that will cycle all of the fluid out of the transmission including the torque converter.

Also I have heard that the gaskets on the valve body go bad and can cause shifting problems, its not uncommon. Ask the shop to change the trans filter and also ask about the valve body gasket ...

huffa12 · #13 03-04-2012, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2wdedge

Bring it to a shop to flush the tranny fluid, they will hook it to a machine that will cycle all of the fluid out of the transmission including the torque converter.

Also I have heard that the gaskets on the valve body go bad and can cause shifting problems, its not uncommon. Ask the shop to change the trans filter and also ask about the valve body gasket ...

ok I'll make sure i do that. thanks!

RCS MacGyver · #14 03-04-2012, 07:21 PM

The way that the shops do it is pretty nice, and could also be done at home using a different method achieving the same results, BUT, 90 bucks aint bad at all. They do not change that filter, and they dont check anything out.

Just fluid extraction and new fluid put in.

Either way you do it, when you get it back, drive it nicely, let that fluid work on whatever deposits are in the trans. If the shift issue isnt better in a few days, look into that Lucas or Seafoam stuff.

I use Lucas in my big equipment at work, That may be the way to go if needed. Let me know how it turns out for you.

2wdedge · #15 03-04-2012, 07:39 PM

I have had good luck with the Lucas products myself, they make real good stuff, and also heard good things about Seafoam too.