Transmission not shifting properly

Tiny
CLARENCEBANKS
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE
  • 140,000 MILES
How to diagnose transmission? Does it need to be replaced, is it a sensor? Goes D and R at start up, shifts smooth during acceleration then it will just refuse to engage.
Sunday, January 17th, 2021 AT 10:02 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
This sounds like the fluid level is low. here is a guide to help us fix it with diagrams below to show you how to check the fluid on your car:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/automatic-transmission-problems

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-service-an-automatic-transmission

4T80-E AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE

HOW TO CHECK
Be sure to follow all the instructions here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.

NOTICE: Too much or too little fluid can damage your transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Too little fluid could cause the transaxle to overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you check your transaxle fluid.

Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle fluid level if you have been driving:
- When outside temperatures are above 90° F (32° C).
- At high speed for quite a while.
- In heavy traffic - especially in hot weather.
- While pulling a trailer.
- To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal operating temperature, which is 180° F to 200° F (82° C to 93° C).
- Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles (24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50° F (10° C). If it's colder than 50° F (10° C), you may have to drive longer.

CHECKING THE FLUID LEVEL
Prepare you vehicle as follows:
- Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine running.
- With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever in PARK (P).
- With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever through each gear range, pausing for about three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift lever in PARK (P).
- Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes.

Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
1. The transaxle fluid cap is located next to the radiator hose and below the engine air cleaner/filter assembly on the driver's side of the vehicle. After removing the engine air cleaner/filter assembly to reach the transaxle fluid cap, turn the cap counterclockwise to remove. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds, and then pull it back out again.
2. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower level. The fluid level must be in the cross-hatched area. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the dipstick back in all the way and turn the handle clockwise. Reinstall the engine air cleaner/filter assembly.

HOW TO ADD FLUID
1. If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper fluid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on the dipstick.
2. Pull out the dipstick. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level. It doesn't take much fluid, generally less than one pint (0.5 L). Don't overfill.

NOTICE: We recommend you use only fluid labeled DEXRON -III, because fluid with that label is made especially for your automatic transaxle. Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON -III is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.

3. After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as described under How to Check. When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the dipstick back in all the way and turn the handle clockwise.

Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

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Tuesday, January 19th, 2021 AT 6:01 PM

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