Shift Issue
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Owingsville KY
Shift Issue
A friend of mine recently purchased a 2004 C5 with an automatic transmission. He ask me to drive it aggressively to see how it would perform. After finding a suitable spot I turned off the traction control. I put the shifter in low and nailed it. It felt like it took off in second for just a couple seconds then shifted down in low. Anyone have any thoughts on what would cause this or what I should check? Thanks
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
I agree on the need to read the DTCs AND I also strongly recommend that you OBSERVE the IPC "DIC" display for messages I.E. Traction Control ACTIVE or any other message.
Bill
Bill
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 328
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
You must come to a complete stop on an auto trans in order for it to drop into 1st--- No rolling stops !!!!!
No need to put it low--just leave it in drive----
The only reason other than that that would cause an auto trans to start off in 2nd gear or to be locked into 2nd gear is if the car was somehow in the "reduced power mode or limp mode"--- Many things can cause a limp mode--but normally you will get an accompanying DTC code---
Rarely you can have your trans selector switch on the trans case that is broken or out of adjustment so it won't drop into 1st manually--but it should always drop into 1st while in "D"-----
No need to put it low--just leave it in drive----
The only reason other than that that would cause an auto trans to start off in 2nd gear or to be locked into 2nd gear is if the car was somehow in the "reduced power mode or limp mode"--- Many things can cause a limp mode--but normally you will get an accompanying DTC code---
Rarely you can have your trans selector switch on the trans case that is broken or out of adjustment so it won't drop into 1st manually--but it should always drop into 1st while in "D"-----
Pro
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 651
Likes: 45
From: Raleigh area, NC
I'm new to a slushbox after 30 years of sticks....I find that leaving it in drive the auto shifts pretty aggressively stock. Feels like a bat out of hell in first and second. I tried to take off in low then shift could not get it to move any faster than in drive.
But definitely want to ensure the auto shifts through all the gears manually and in drive o.k..
But definitely want to ensure the auto shifts through all the gears manually and in drive o.k..
Last edited by pmr2000; Dec 4, 2015 at 09:45 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 328
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
I'm new to a slushbox after 30 years of sticks....I find that leaving it in drive the auto shifts pretty aggressively stock. Feels like a bat out of hell in first and second. I tried to take off in low then shift could not get it to move any faster than in drive.
But definitely want to ensure the auto shifts through all the gears manually and in drive o.k..
But definitely want to ensure the auto shifts through all the gears manually and in drive o.k..
PS: some say that while drag racing it is better to leave the trans in 3rd rather than drive--The explanation I was given was that the shifts aren't any quicker but one more band is engaged to make the clutch pack stronger and makes your trans more robust----Haven't been able to confirm this but maybe a trans guy can chime in---
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 328
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
YES-- Normal--The button is a safety thing that prevents you from accidently shifting into Reverse OR Park while manual up shifting--
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,439
Likes: 405
From: Portland OR
It's pretty hard to manually shift the A4. 1-2 is fine, but if you try to do the 2-3 at a mph higher than the programming calls for, it will just say "FU" and hit the rev limiter.
So if trying it, do your 1-2 shift, then put it in 3 right away and it will do the 2-3 shift for you.
But as was said, might as well just let it do them all for you.
So if trying it, do your 1-2 shift, then put it in 3 right away and it will do the 2-3 shift for you.
But as was said, might as well just let it do them all for you.