2008 transmission troubles
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
2008 transmission troubles
I purchased a 2008 corvette with a 6 speed. I have encountered problems shifting when the transmission is cold.When the car is cold there is a wash board action when shifting from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd. After about 15 or more miles the problem is much better but not totally gone. the dealer showed me a letter from chevy (document id 2073364) saying the problem is normal and to take no action.The lemon law states that a repair must be attempted 4 times, and if not fixed it may qualify, but the letter stops any repair attempt. I have a case file started with chevy, but more people need to complain. The document talks about a new transmission synchronizer that will make noise when shifting. please call and complain if you have this problem. thanks, mog8
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 619
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
The grinding is normal when the transmission is cold. There are several ways to relieve the symptoms:
1. Change the transmission oil. (However, it does not totally solve the problem)
2. The most problematic is the 1-2 shift, you can try double clutching to 3rd instead till the tranny oil has had time to warm up.
3. Wait for warmer weather, usually above 65 F (Mine requires 80F).
If your transmission is grinding even after driving (not idling) the first 20 minutes, then you probably do have a serious problem with the transmission and use your warranty.
Note: This issue has been posted several times on the forums. Like all car forums “Search”
1. Change the transmission oil. (However, it does not totally solve the problem)
2. The most problematic is the 1-2 shift, you can try double clutching to 3rd instead till the tranny oil has had time to warm up.
3. Wait for warmer weather, usually above 65 F (Mine requires 80F).
If your transmission is grinding even after driving (not idling) the first 20 minutes, then you probably do have a serious problem with the transmission and use your warranty.
Note: This issue has been posted several times on the forums. Like all car forums “Search”
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 51
From: South Carolina
I purchased a 2008 corvette with a 6 speed. I have encountered problems shifting when the transmission is cold.When the car is cold there is a wash board action when shifting from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd. After about 15 or more miles the problem is much better but not totally gone. the dealer showed me a letter from chevy (document id 2073364) saying the problem is normal and to take no action.The lemon law states that a repair must be attempted 4 times, and if not fixed it may qualify, but the letter stops any repair attempt. I have a case file started with chevy, but more people need to complain. The document talks about a new transmission synchronizer that will make noise when shifting. please call and complain if you have this problem. thanks, mog8
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,435
Likes: 874
From: Bay Area CA
When it is cold, I can feel the tranny gears as I move the shifter into gear. However, I do not hear any sort of grinding noise. I also do not try to force it in gear but rather guide it into gear. After about a half mile it shifts fine.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Jersey
The grinding is normal BUT I think it is a shame that a 50K+ car grinds when the tranny is cold. That is not normal but we consider it for some reason. Really when the trans grinds like the its not working properly so in reality its not normal. There is a defect in these trans and is very very aggravating for me in the mornings and I have not gone through the winters here yet with this car and I am scared when it gets down to the 10's the thing will probably grind every gear. A properly working trans should not grind in any weather. A little stiffer to shift, shifts and revs more precise yea thats normal cold weather trans characteristics but should not grind.
I drive commercial trucks with 18 speed transmissions that require precise timing because the clutch is not used and in the winter months at 6:30 am at 8 degrees these trans never ever grind but the vette does???????????????
Needless to say this issue pisses me off!
I drive commercial trucks with 18 speed transmissions that require precise timing because the clutch is not used and in the winter months at 6:30 am at 8 degrees these trans never ever grind but the vette does???????????????
Needless to say this issue pisses me off!
Last edited by JP84; May 24, 2008 at 01:39 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert Arizona
My '07 needs to get warmed up before it shifts properly. A couple of my friends Asian sports cars are the same. I don't believe that this issue is isolated just to Corvettes. If my buddy didn't mention to me that his S2000 shifts hard (and even grinds gears if driven too hard) until it is warm I probably would have been very upset when I drove my car for the first time and experienced the same thing. Just like the chattering in the differential I believe it to be the nature of the beast. Your problem may be more extreme but realize that this IS a 50K SPORTS CAR and IS built to different extremes than a Camry or Malibu.
When my car is warming up I usually hold the clutch in for a while before shifting and let it slowly slide into the right gear. It took about 10 to 15 miles for it to start to shift smooth when I first got the car but now at 4K miles it doesn't seem to take that long...
When my car is warming up I usually hold the clutch in for a while before shifting and let it slowly slide into the right gear. It took about 10 to 15 miles for it to start to shift smooth when I first got the car but now at 4K miles it doesn't seem to take that long...
Last edited by FireLikeIYA; May 24, 2008 at 03:40 AM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 6
From: Waynesville NC
Not everybody is having this problem...I don't. I also do not drive mine HARD when it is cold. 1st to 2nd gear isn't buttery smooth when it's cold, but it certainly does NOT grind! Lucky me?!?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 952
Likes: 0
From: Morgantown,WV USA
2008 transmission troubles
Mine does the same thing, even if the car is cooled down for about 15-20 minutes (after reaching operating temps). I am at the point where I can not do any semi-agressive 1-2shifts until the car is up to temps.
Dan
Dan
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
With 4,000 miles on the LS3 MN6 now I have found the shifting to be smoother, even when first starting out.
Although I must admit that a lot of the times I double clutch first to second when starting out cold. Just a habit I got into to avoid the rough shift.
Although I must admit that a lot of the times I double clutch first to second when starting out cold. Just a habit I got into to avoid the rough shift.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,257
Likes: 26
From: Delaware
Mine does it too. What I do is shift from 1st to 4th until the car warms up. Then it shifts fine, no grinding and it goes smoothly into gear. I think it's just one of those things where the car needs to be brought up to opertating temps before you can drive it hard.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
If you bought a refrigerator for $1500 and your beer never got cold, you would want it repaired. So why should you pay 50K for a corvette
and except a transmission not working properly. If you put a man on the moon, a transmission should work hot or cold. Call customer service.
and except a transmission not working properly. If you put a man on the moon, a transmission should work hot or cold. Call customer service.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,939
Likes: 448
From: CHOCOWINITY NC
If you bought a refrigerator for $1500 and your beer never got cold, you would want it repaired. So why should you pay 50K for a corvette
and except a transmission not working properly. If you put a man on the moon, a transmission should work hot or cold. Call customer service.
and except a transmission not working properly. If you put a man on the moon, a transmission should work hot or cold. Call customer service.
Personally, I'm amazed that mine (when warmed up) shifts like butter...
Sounds like you're more of a Miata kinda guy..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 51
From: South Carolina
Thats what I meant really. I don't get a gear grind EVER but when cold, the 1-2 shift is very rough and clunks a little.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
transmission trouble
No, what you do not understand is this is still happening at tempertures above 65 degrees and after 15 to 20 miles. I have owned many corvettes and have not had this problem. if you feel you should coverup for chevys short coming then so be it. mog8
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Huntington NY
If you can't understand that a CAR NEEDS TO BE TO OPERATING TEMPERATURES for everything to work harmoniously, you should sell the freaking thing and buy an automatic Aveo. I can't believe the whining around here on this. Do you have any idea how much torque that transmission needs to handle, how big the gears and syncros must be to take the abuse Corvette owners seem to lay on their cars?
Personally, I'm amazed that mine (when warmed up) shifts like butter...
Sounds like you're more of a Miata kinda guy..
Personally, I'm amazed that mine (when warmed up) shifts like butter...
Sounds like you're more of a Miata kinda guy..
metal expands when hot aka gets tighter if was tight and got tighter there would be more problems