transmission has been acting up

2001 PONTIAC AZTEK
200,000 MILES
Avatar
DAVEJEEP
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hey I've got a 01 Aztek with the 4t65e transmission and it's been acting up a bit lately. It's got 200,000km on it.

When it's cold out (-5C or colder) it only likes to shift 1st and 2nd gear. If I get going about 60km/h it will shift to 3rd and then to 4th around 80km/h. But if I stop and go again it's the same way, sticks to 1st & 2nd gear. When it does shift it's not a hard shift, it's a nice shift.

If it's roughly +2C I can get in and go and it shifts perfect through all the gears without warming it up. When it is cold out the car has to run fully warmed up and driven for at least 10 minutes to get it shifting perfect.

I changed the filter and fluid a month ago when the problem 1st happened. The fluid was still red and not burnt. There was a no major metal filings in the pan only the normal amount of clutch mud.

I work at a shop and have alldatapro. It says for this problem it can be:
-A faulty 2-3 shift solenoid valve assembly is stock ON
-Debris is found in the valve body or the spacer plate

I was thinking though that this may not be the problem since it only happens in the cold.
Nov 30, 2011 at 7:19 PM
Repair Safety Notice: This information is for general instructional purposes only. Vehicle repair can be dangerous. Verify all information, follow manufacturer service procedures, use proper tools and safety equipment, and consult a qualified repair shop when needed.
Advertisement
Avatar
HMAC300
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 48,601 POSTS
well it could as cold efect metal in different ways like aluminum to steel. and valve probalby sticks. best to have a trans guy look at this. it may be electrical as well
Nov 30, 2011 at 9:39 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
DAVEJEEP
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks for your reply. I was told by a local transmission shop that it was probably a seal inside the transmission. And to add Lucas Transmission Fluid conditioner to soften the seals. Does this sound ok?
Dec 1, 2011 at 5:02 PM
Avatar
HMAC300
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 48,601 POSTS
well when seals go they go , it may or may not help if it works then it was a good $5-6 investment, but it won't last long the only real fix is a rebuild. but hey try it . it can't hurt anything..
Dec 1, 2011 at 5:56 PM