Tranny shifts funny in cold weather???

HiFlow5 0 · 10-31-2001, 07:48 AM

i've noticed the past few weeks when its cold out that my tranny will seem to stick in gear. from a stop when i start moving it will get hung up in sencond. it will rev higher then it normaly does then shift to 3rd? after a while of driving it goes away. what could cause this?

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89 GT AOD w/ shift kit, B&M rachet shifter, Trickflow intake, Crane (E-type) cam, 70Tb, 75MAF, 1.6 Rockers, Pulleys, MAC headers and H-pipe, Dynomax mufflers, K&N, 3 core radiator, white face gauges, custom interior, cobra R rims. 14.9 at 95.07mph with stock 2.73's.

89LX 2.3 Notch, daily beater!
MY89GT

[This message has been edited by HiFlow5 0 (edited 10-31-2001).]

MikeWeber · 10-31-2001, 11:37 AM

This is most likely due to the cold temp increasing the viscocity of the transmission fluid. This in turn slightly increases transmission line pressure until the fluid heats up a little.
It's kind of like experimenting with the TV pressure by adjusting the plastic line at the TB by 1/8" increments. A little change drastically affects shift rpm.

95 King GT · 11-02-2001, 02:47 AM

first check your fluid level, and you could have dirty tranny fluid. when was the last time you have changed it?

topless tire fryer · 11-02-2001, 04:16 PM

A good tranny flush and new oil should help. Thats the bad part about our new found cold weather boost.

------------------
'95 Chrome Yellow GT ragtop, KN filter charger, Dynomax cat back, Accel plugs and wires, Chromed '95 Cobra R's (bought for $19.95, now 2 are warped!
Our baby <a href="http://www.mustangworks.com/cgi-bin/moi-display.cgi?1883">

Maroon 5.0 LX · 11-02-2001, 04:26 PM

Quite often, a high milage transmission will not shift properly due to hard seals. The internal seals get hard and stiff, allowing fluid to leak around the seals. As the unit and fluid warm up, the seals also soften up, thus returning to a normal shift pattern.

Try a complete flush and new filter. It will get worse or better, hopefully better.

------------------
'89 LX 5.0 - 5 speed. Original Owner
'94 E-150 4.9 Hi-Top Conversion Van

HiFlow5 0 · 11-02-2001, 06:19 PM

The tranny was totally rebuild about a year and a half ago by Aamco. I brought the car to a good shop yesterday (other then Aamco)and this shop said the tranny is going bad. That Aamco did a poor job on rebuilding it. Figures that my warranty just ran out too!

------------------
89 GT AOD w/ shift kit, B&M rachet shifter, Trickflow intake, Crane (E-type) cam, 70Tb, 75MAF, 1.6 Rockers, Pulleys, MAC headers and H-pipe, Dynomax mufflers, K&N, 3 core radiator, white face gauges, custom interior, cobra R rims. 14.9 at 95.07mph with stock 2.73's.

89LX 2.3 Notch, daily beater!
MY89GT

Mr 5 0 · 11-02-2001, 09:55 PM

Sorry to hear of your tranny problem.

For anyone else reading this; a word to the wise:

AVOID AAMCO!

Chain tranny shops usually have poor quality work and use cheap materials, then screw you on the warrantee when it fails.

Seek out an independent transmission shop with a decent reputation and go there.

Unit 5302 · 11-02-2001, 09:58 PM

If it still shifts solid and doesn't slip, don't worry about it. All the auto overdrive cars I've owned/driven responded similarly. The fluid is thicker and doesn't flow as fast to activate the valve body or transmission bands.

HiFlow5 0 · 11-03-2001, 07:48 AM

it just started slipping in first, but only sometimes. after a 5mph roll you can feel the tranny kick a little. there is also a real bad whining noise when its cold and gets less noisey after it warms up. the shop said it sounds like the front pump. could i have a bad filter, and old fluid after about a year? it also shift at about 4 grand at WOT, that seems a little low.

------------------
89 GT AOD w/ shift kit, B&M rachet shifter, Trickflow intake, Crane (E-type) cam, 70Tb, 75MAF, 1.6 Rockers, Pulleys, MAC headers and H-pipe, Dynomax mufflers, K&N, 3 core radiator, white face gauges, custom interior, cobra R rims. 14.9 at 95.07mph with stock 2.73's.

89LX 2.3 Notch, daily beater!
MY89GT

10-31-2001, 07:48 AM	#1
HiFlow5 0 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Springfield, Ma, usa Posts: 706	Tranny shifts funny in cold weather??? i've noticed the past few weeks when its cold out that my tranny will seem to stick in gear. from a stop when i start moving it will get hung up in sencond. it will rev higher then it normaly does then shift to 3rd? after a while of driving it goes away. what could cause this? ------------------ 89 GT AOD w/ shift kit, B&M rachet shifter, Trickflow intake, Crane (E-type) cam, 70Tb, 75MAF, 1.6 Rockers, Pulleys, MAC headers and H-pipe, Dynomax mufflers, K&N, 3 core radiator, white face gauges, custom interior, cobra R rims. 14.9 at 95.07mph with stock 2.73's. 89LX 2.3 Notch, daily beater! MY89GT [This message has been edited by HiFlow5 0 (edited 10-31-2001).]

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10-31-2001, 11:37 AM	#2
MikeWeber Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Louisville, KY, USA Posts: 48	This is most likely due to the cold temp increasing the viscocity of the transmission fluid. This in turn slightly increases transmission line pressure until the fluid heats up a little. It's kind of like experimenting with the TV pressure by adjusting the plastic line at the TB by 1/8" increments. A little change drastically affects shift rpm.

11-02-2001, 02:47 AM	#3
95 King GT Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: coweta OK USA Posts: 93	first check your fluid level, and you could have dirty tranny fluid. when was the last time you have changed it?

11-02-2001, 04:16 PM	#4
topless tire fryer All show, some go 4 now! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Franklin, NH Posts: 175	A good tranny flush and new oil should help. Thats the bad part about our new found cold weather boost. ------------------ '95 Chrome Yellow GT ragtop, KN filter charger, Dynomax cat back, Accel plugs and wires, Chromed '95 Cobra R's (bought for $19.95, now 2 are warped! Our baby <a href="http://www.mustangworks.com/cgi-bin/moi-display.cgi?1883">

11-02-2001, 04:26 PM	#5
Maroon 5.0 LX Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 471	Quite often, a high milage transmission will not shift properly due to hard seals. The internal seals get hard and stiff, allowing fluid to leak around the seals. As the unit and fluid warm up, the seals also soften up, thus returning to a normal shift pattern. Try a complete flush and new filter. It will get worse or better, hopefully better. ------------------ '89 LX 5.0 - 5 speed. Original Owner '94 E-150 4.9 Hi-Top Conversion Van

11-02-2001, 06:19 PM	#6
HiFlow5 0 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Springfield, Ma, usa Posts: 706	The tranny was totally rebuild about a year and a half ago by Aamco. I brought the car to a good shop yesterday (other then Aamco)and this shop said the tranny is going bad. That Aamco did a poor job on rebuilding it. Figures that my warranty just ran out too! ------------------ 89 GT AOD w/ shift kit, B&M rachet shifter, Trickflow intake, Crane (E-type) cam, 70Tb, 75MAF, 1.6 Rockers, Pulleys, MAC headers and H-pipe, Dynomax mufflers, K&N, 3 core radiator, white face gauges, custom interior, cobra R rims. 14.9 at 95.07mph with stock 2.73's. 89LX 2.3 Notch, daily beater! MY89GT

11-02-2001, 09:55 PM	#7
Mr 5 0 Conservative Individualist Join Date: May 1997 Location: Wherever I need to be Posts: 7,487	Sorry to hear of your tranny problem. For anyone else reading this; a word to the wise: AVOID AAMCO! Chain tranny shops usually have poor quality work and use cheap materials, then screw you on the warrantee when it fails. Seek out an independent transmission shop with a decent reputation and go there.

11-02-2001, 09:58 PM	#8
Unit 5302 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 5,246	If it still shifts solid and doesn't slip, don't worry about it. All the auto overdrive cars I've owned/driven responded similarly. The fluid is thicker and doesn't flow as fast to activate the valve body or transmission bands.

11-03-2001, 07:48 AM	#9
HiFlow5 0 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Springfield, Ma, usa Posts: 706	it just started slipping in first, but only sometimes. after a 5mph roll you can feel the tranny kick a little. there is also a real bad whining noise when its cold and gets less noisey after it warms up. the shop said it sounds like the front pump. could i have a bad filter, and old fluid after about a year? it also shift at about 4 grand at WOT, that seems a little low. ------------------ 89 GT AOD w/ shift kit, B&M rachet shifter, Trickflow intake, Crane (E-type) cam, 70Tb, 75MAF, 1.6 Rockers, Pulleys, MAC headers and H-pipe, Dynomax mufflers, K&N, 3 core radiator, white face gauges, custom interior, cobra R rims. 14.9 at 95.07mph with stock 2.73's. 89LX 2.3 Notch, daily beater! MY89GT