Any transmission experts in here?

[flashbacck]

This is an automatic 95' Eclipse and has happened twice so far. While driving, my car will give a little shudder and then shift to (I think) 2nd gear and it won't shift back up even if I put it in park, neutral or rev. The only way to get it to shift up is if I stop and restart the engine. I don't know what conditions cause this, so I can't reproduce it.

Anyone have suspicions on what the problem might be?

Also, does anyone have recommendations on a transmission specialist in West L.A?

Thanks.

Minor update: So the mechanic had it for 2 days to test drive it. And, naturally, they couldn't find anything wrong. Solenoids are ok. He thinks it's going into a fail safe mode, and suggests the next time it happens, to just bring it in immediately, without shuting off the car. arggg

 

[MikeMike]

ill give you a hint, it has to do with the manufcturer of the car

 

[dethman]

i'd hate to imagine if that happened on the freeway. engine blowup ftw.

 

[Cal166]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
ill give you a hint, it has to do with the manufcturer of the car

Listen to this man, he speaks the truth

 

[91TTZ]

Simple question: did you check your fluid level?

 

[0roo0roo]

swear this was on cartalk before. can't remember much though, maybe u can find something on cartalk.com

 

[Heisenberg]

Check the fluid level definitely. I'm not sure what kind of setup your tranny is, but if it's got a cable to control the shifts (versus electronic), that may be out of adjustment.

 

[Bassyhead]

Perhaps your engine mounts are bad. Movement of the engine/transmission can push or pull on the shifting cable, which will be held in place by the shifter. If the engine moves, it can cause unintended shifting or acceleration.

 

[Slimline]

lucas treatment ftw

 

[flashbacck]

Hey,

Yeah, the fluid level is fine.

I'll check out cartalk, 0roo0roo, thanks.

And yeah, I know Mitsubishi isn't the greatest. I'm just work'n with what I got until I get a job

 

[jupiter57]

Get a Haynes Manual for your car at AutoZone or Advance.
Everyone here has good ideas, my second thought would be possibly a stopped up Trans. Filter, when you shut it off, some of the debris may be falling back off the filter until it runs again long enough to suck it back up onto the filter. (?)
Any idea when fluid and filter were last changed?
Electronically, could be a Throttle Position sensor going bad, not telling the Trans. when to shift.
Got a "Check Engine" light? (Or whatever Mitsubishi uses), if so, AZ or Advance can read the code and point you in the direction of the problem.

Try a bottle of "TransMedic" in your transmission, (The aforementioned Lucas may be as good or better, I haven't tried it myself).
I use it regularly in all my vehicles, it has solved many, many problems for me over the years. Seems to help clean and flush out varnish and gummy deposits that keep your transmission from shifting properly. Just add it to your fluid, no need to drain any really, as it is only a pint bottle.
(Personally, I would try this first.)
Just remember, after you add the TransMedic, and it fixes the problem, it would be a good idea to change fluid and filter soon thereafter, once again adding a bottle of TransMedic to the new fluid to remain.
Hope this helps!

 

[George P Burdell]

Originally posted by: dethman
i'd hate to imagine if that happened on the freeway. engine blowup ftw.

:Q

 

[Analog]

What conditions? Engine hot? Accelerating? etc.

 

[OrganizedChaos]

don't know anything about the transmission but if its hydraulicly controlled i'd say the governor. if its electronic i'd say it a shift solenoid.

 

[flashbacck]

Minor update: So the mechanic had it for 2 days to test drive it. And, naturally, they couldn't find anything wrong. Solenoids are ok. He thinks it's going into a fail safe mode, and suggests the next time it happens, to just bring it in immediately, without shuting off the car. arggg

 

[Rogeee]

Here's what you do ;

Next time this happens, pull over, put it in park and shut the engine off, wait 10 seconds and restart the car, if this cures the problem the PCM (powertrain control module) or it's associated wiring or solenoids are causing the problem, if this problem continues after the restart then the problem lies either in the valve body (inside the tranny) or the accumilator and or governor (also inside the tranny).

Good Luck

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
ill give you a hint, it has to do with the manufcturer of the car

I just gave away FOR FREE my stinking Mitsubishi Galant (which coincidentally has the same ass engine as yours, unless you have a DOHC engine) because of recurring transmission problems.

Mitsubishi transmissions are garbage and its not worth fixing IMO. It's why I own a Honda today.

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: Slimline
lucas treatment ftw

No way, a friend used Lucas oil in his tranny and it started slipping worse than ever.

 

[Zontor]

Originally posted by: amdhunter

Originally posted by: Slimline
lucas treatment ftw

No way, a friend used Lucas oil in his tranny and it started slipping worse than ever.

Tom & Ray [Cartalk] indicate that there is no such thing as a mechanic in a can. Do not add any of that crap to your tranny unless you plan on rebuilding it anyway.

 

[TonyH]

DO NOT PUT ANY ADDITIVES INTO YOUR TRANSMISSION

That is unless you want to tick someone like myself who might work on the car. You don't want to hear the kinds of words I've used while tearing down a transmission that had an additive put into it to "make it go a little farther". :roll:

The transmission is being put into what is referred as "limp mode" because a problem has been detected by the computer. You need to have it scanned and determine what the problem is. It could be something as simple as a faulty speed sensor or a major internal problem.

Until it's been properly diagnosed there's no way know what's wrong with it. I would be glad to do it but I don't think you would want to drive all the way to Texas.

 

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: TonyH
DO NOT PUT ANY ADDITIVES INTO YOUR TRANSMISSION

That is unless you want to tick someone like myself who might work on the car. You don't want to hear the kinds of words I've used while tearing down a transmission that had an additive put into it to "make it go a little farther". :roll:

The transmission is being put into what is referred as "limp mode" because a problem has been detected by the computer. You need to have it scanned and determine what the problem is. It could be something as simple as a faulty speed sensor or a major internal problem.

Until it's been properly diagnosed there's no way know what's wrong with it. I would be glad to do it but I don't think you would want to drive all the way to Texas.

CONFIRMED and QFT. additives do nothing but suck money out of your wallet. also electronic chrysler transmissions go into 2nd gear when something is wrong.