96 Grand Prix SE...tranny issue!

[cockblocker]

Hey all, new user here! YAY..hehe ok.

Heres the scoop, a few weeks ago I attempted to wash my engine..I squirted some mean green, let it sit for 10 minutes then casually and lilghtly spray the engine off. For the following two days my service engine light was on...figured I just got somehting wet. But after the first day the light was on my tranny started having a hard time downshifting while traversing hills. The second day the light went off..but the tranny still like almost shuddered when Im going 55 and begin almost any incline over 50yrds long. To get ridof the shudder I have to force a downshift like Im kicking in the passing gear or something you know...

So far the step's I've taken have been to drain, change fluid and filter, and yesterday I replaced the vacuum modulator...no good.

Since this is out only vehicle right now...(Tahoe's in the shop) I can't afford to take it to some dumbass mech (Mississippi mechanic too boot!) to have them stare and scratch their ass for two or three days. I'm a DIY person by nature so if they're somehting I can do I'll do it.

After reading and reading and searching all over the net all the indications point towards one of the solenoids..tcc or control but even from the solenoid location sheet on this site it's hard to tell precisely where they're at. But with my luck they're internal to the tranny!!

Any help would be vastly appreciated.

[bszopi]

RE: 96 Grand Prix SE...tranny issue!

The solenoids are internal to the tranny, right inside the side pan. But to get to it, you have to pull the driver's side halfshaft IIRC. So that would suck. Is that the only issue you are noticing? No other symptoms, such as a loss of power or hesitation? I know when I had a coil pack go bad, the car would shutter pretty bad when it got into OD, and would go away when shifted back to 3rd.

[imported_germ]

scan the car and find out what code was set.


never try and diagnois a problem without getting the code scanned. you probably fried a coil pack or something and wasting money on your tranny stuff.

[cockblocker]

Who does scans and how much are they?

[bszopi]

Pep Boys or AutoZone should be able to scan the computer for free.

[cockblocker]

Are those the same scanners they sell at walmart for 99 bucks...for OBDII?

[bszopi]

Possibly.

[cockblocker]

ok cool, I'lkl go by there and get them to scan the car and post back.

On a side note, the car also has a rattle when Im gassing while turning left. Sounds just like a loose heat shield...any thoughts?

The tire doesnt rub anyhting as far as I know cause the noise will stop if I'm in mid-turn and release the pedal.

[sharkey]

could be an axle

[cockblocker]

i tried going by our Auto Zone but damn I guess they were shorthanded today or somthing cause I stood there for like 15 minutes and peopel kept filing int he door. I just called Advanced...they do it too for free. I'm gonna go by there her ein just a bit and I'll post back later with their results. thanks guys

[cockblocker]

Ok well I went to advance Auto...the dude scanned my ecm and found a P0301 (i think) cylinder 1 misfire. He cleared it and said that before he would buy anyhting to drive it for a day. I thought that was cool being honest like that. Anyway if your engine suffers from a problem like from getting wet which would cause a misfire...but when it's all dry the SES goes away would the ECM still be causing trouble because the code is still there? I dont get it. Anyway when I drove out of there the engine sounded good...better in fact. I drove all the way home and the monster hill didnt give me a bit of problems I was completely shocked.....BUT the SES came back on....not flashing but a steady on. I'm going to change clothes and go back but I wanted to see what you guys thought about this. I dont know what to think now.

[bszopi]

If its a cylinder misfire, I'd check all the plugs and wires. Could be a loose connection or moisture in the boot. Or, it the wires are old, there could be cracking in the insulation where water might have gotten in and messed with the conductor.

[cockblocker]

yeah thats what he was telling me...but whats the chance that there still is a misfire code coupled with the fact that the engine pitch and tone didnt chance at all when the light came on...hell it even idled differently.

[cockblocker]

Ok, I went back to Advance...yet another misfire on cyl 1. So I bought a set of plug wires..I just recently (like within the past 3 months replaced the slugs so surely it would'nt be that. Anyway when I was dribing back home up the dreaded hill it shuddered again, damnit. I really, really hope that the tranny issue is really just the misfire. Im sure thats whats causeing the veryslight pulsing sensation when Im at a red light. Anyway the SES light didnt come back on o the drive back so Im lucky there. Maybe it is just aplug wire and by replacing them I'll never see that light again...at least because of this anyway

[bszopi]

I'd pull the plugs to take a look at them. If they look ok, swap the coil packs around and when the SES light comes on again, see if the misfire follows the coil pack. The coil pack may not have failed yet, but it may be on the brink of failing...