2001 first gear problem, 4A
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 114
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From: orlando fl
2001 first gear problem, 4A
I was coming to work today, and was slowing down to a traffic light - the car downshifts from 3, 2, 1 - but at first gear, the car began shaking pretty bad from the bottom. I pulled over to make sure nothing was under the car, and got back in to continue.
As I was driving again through first, it sounds like something is dragging, but when I go to 2, 3, 4, 5 - it's completely silent - as normal.
I got to work, and manually shifted to first and it sounds like something is dragging, and then let off the gas, and a kinda loud sound, like something bigger is dragging - but the rest of the gears are fine - all silent.
This just happened this morning, and never had a problem before - and it just happened for some reason? I wasn't driving hard, was taking it easy, 19.5mpg...I wasn't digging in or anything.
To me, sounds like all the sudden I'm losing first gear...but still has full power, and shifts perfectly from 1 to 2, even at WOT...just a horrible dragging sounds when not accellerating manually in first gear, and a soft drag sound when accellerating normally.
As I was driving again through first, it sounds like something is dragging, but when I go to 2, 3, 4, 5 - it's completely silent - as normal.
I got to work, and manually shifted to first and it sounds like something is dragging, and then let off the gas, and a kinda loud sound, like something bigger is dragging - but the rest of the gears are fine - all silent.
This just happened this morning, and never had a problem before - and it just happened for some reason? I wasn't driving hard, was taking it easy, 19.5mpg...I wasn't digging in or anything.
To me, sounds like all the sudden I'm losing first gear...but still has full power, and shifts perfectly from 1 to 2, even at WOT...just a horrible dragging sounds when not accellerating manually in first gear, and a soft drag sound when accellerating normally.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: orlando fl
I've got the car up on ramps, and stands right now.
Just the same day, driving home I heard dragging from all gears at low load on the throttle, just cruising.
I checked the tranny fluid while the car was running, then turned it off, and took off the nut again, fluid came out - so it seems that it could be level?
Also, what is that one section directly bolted to the engine where the (driveshaft?pov?) is? Has a plastic flexible cover over it, behind the oil pan?
I wonder if I'm just low on fluids...there are absolutely no leaks on the diff/tranny at all - it's 100% dry and clean, and seems ok to me.
Just passed 90k miles. I've got today to check it out, just need some help knowing where to look.
Just the same day, driving home I heard dragging from all gears at low load on the throttle, just cruising.
I checked the tranny fluid while the car was running, then turned it off, and took off the nut again, fluid came out - so it seems that it could be level?
Also, what is that one section directly bolted to the engine where the (driveshaft?pov?) is? Has a plastic flexible cover over it, behind the oil pan?
I wonder if I'm just low on fluids...there are absolutely no leaks on the diff/tranny at all - it's 100% dry and clean, and seems ok to me.
Just passed 90k miles. I've got today to check it out, just need some help knowing where to look.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,367
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From: East Oakland CA
is your car an automatic? if it is you need to check it while the car is running other wise fluid is going to come out ...you need to top it off before you drive it again!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 114
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From: orlando fl
yes, had the car on, in park, checked the level, and none came out. turned the car off, took the nut off again, and fluid came out. I know there is fluid in there, and maybe I just have to top it off? Not sure...but there's absolutely no leaks, maybe just fluid losing it's consistency based on age, over 90k miles now.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 114
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From: orlando fl
also, do you add fluid while it's on? drain while it's off, obviously, right? I plan to change the fluid out to dexron VI and I hear it runs about 5 quarts, 6 with the torque converter...which I don't know where it is, or how to drain/fill that.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 327
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If it is lowered with the front bushings either cut or removed, you may find a bit of grease under the spring will eliminate the clunk. It did for me.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: orlando fl
this car is completely stock except for z51 sport rotors and hawk hps ferro carbon brake pads. I still need to know what that part is that is connected to the front of the driveshaft behind the oil pan.
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Edmond Ok
I drained a little out of my auto this weekend, just to see what the fluid condition was like. Yes, drain with the engine off, fill with it on. I used a little hand siphon pump from autozone, <$10 bucs. Be carefull hot exhaust pipe, up on jack stands, me under the car holding the tube in the drain hole, pumping the fluid in till it ran out. Put the plug in turn the engine off.
I plan on dropping the pan, and filling, up. my guess is it will change out about 1/2 the transmission fluid this way. My fluid looked good at 58K. Yours sounds like you have some other issues, btw.
Good Luck.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 114
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From: orlando fl
ok...Topped off the fluid a few days ago, the car shifts smoothly from 1-5, and quiet after first gear.
As the temp rises, it gets louder through the gears, and the temp goes up to 212 degrees.
would a drain/fill work, and I know that takes 5 quarts, but where can I find the torque converter to drain/fill that too (1 quart) not sure of it's location.
Might do the diff as well...why not?
As the temp rises, it gets louder through the gears, and the temp goes up to 212 degrees.
would a drain/fill work, and I know that takes 5 quarts, but where can I find the torque converter to drain/fill that too (1 quart) not sure of it's location.
Might do the diff as well...why not?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: orlando fl
forward sprag...not sure what that is...but I will get it to the only mechanic I trust...this week.
been garaged since the day this happened - it's too great of a car to take a chance on making things worse on it.
been garaged since the day this happened - it's too great of a car to take a chance on making things worse on it.