Strangest car problem I've ever had...

CurseTheSky

Diamond Member
Oct 21, 2006
5,401
2
0
2003 Chevy Malibu
3.1L V6, no modifications
4-Speed Automatic
~42k miles

The car runs great - I've run into a few minor problems with it, but for all the use and abuse it gets, I can't complain. However, every now and then I run into a very random, very strange problem. Instead of a nice smooth shift through each gear, it either has a long delay, or slams into the next gear.

At low RPMs (1-3.5k or so), first-to-second will have a noticeable delay between gears. At higher RPMs (4-5k+), it will shift fine.

Second-to-third and third-to-fourth shift alright at low RPMs, but slams so hard into the next gear at 3.5k+ to make the entire car shudder.

Here's the strangest part: if the car starts acting up as described above, I can usually park somewhere, shut it off for 5-10 minutes, and it will go back to normal.

Usually this only happens on days when the car has been driven at least once earlier, and allowed to sit for an hour or two. It seems to be very random - I thought at first it was cold weather that did it, but it's still doing it now in the summon. On another note, I'm also starting to notice some backpressure on the accelerator during shifts, even when the problem isn't happening. I don't know if it's been doing this all along and I'm just noticing it now, or what.

Everyone I've talked to has no clue what to think, and most places are going to charge several hundred to go through it all, which is what I'm trying to avoid. Has anyone experienced anything similar?

Thanks.
 

CrackRabbit

Lifer
Mar 30, 2001
16,642
62
91
Have you checked the fluid for color or anything in it?

Bright Red/Pink and clear = good

Dark Red/Reddish Brown = not good, get the fluid changed soon and hope no damage has happened.

brown/Dark Brown = bad, your transmission has clutch issues or has been severely overheated. get the fluid changed and prepare for a rebuild in the near future.

metallic flakes = something in the transmission is grinding you will probably need a new transmission soon.

 

steppinthrax

Diamond Member
Jul 17, 2006
3,990
6
81
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
2003 Chevy Malibu
3.1L V6, no modifications
4-Speed Automatic
~42k miles

The car runs great - I've run into a few minor problems with it, but for all the use and abuse it gets, I can't complain. However, every now and then I run into a very random, very strange problem. Instead of a nice smooth shift through each gear, it either has a long delay, or slams into the next gear.

At low RPMs (1-3.5k or so), first-to-second will have a noticeable delay between gears. At higher RPMs (4-5k+), it will shift fine.

Second-to-third and third-to-fourth shift alright at low RPMs, but slams so hard into the next gear at 3.5k+ to make the entire car shudder.

Here's the strangest part: if the car starts acting up as described above, I can usually park somewhere, shut it off for 5-10 minutes, and it will go back to normal.

Usually this only happens on days when the car has been driven at least once earlier, and allowed to sit for an hour or two. It seems to be very random - I thought at first it was cold weather that did it, but it's still doing it now in the summon. On another note, I'm also starting to notice some backpressure on the accelerator during shifts, even when the problem isn't happening. I don't know if it's been doing this all along and I'm just noticing it now, or what.

Everyone I've talked to has no clue what to think, and most places are going to charge several hundred to go through it all, which is what I'm trying to avoid. Has anyone experienced anything similar?

Thanks.</end quote></div>


This sounds more like a transmission problem v.s. a computer problem. Although it's entirely possible the computer could be the problem from what your telling me its highly unlikely. The fact that you let the car "cool down" for 5 to 10 mins and the problem goes away is because transmissions on old cars will act different based on operating temps. Transmissions that are worn for example will have a slight delay when poping into reverse at "cold temp" and a act normal when they are warmed up.

When transmissions have problems they normally have a off/on behavior where the problem appears and goes away. The frequency will eventually increase to a point where you will have the problem almost every time you use the car. But the transmission fluid check that CrackRabbit said is where you should look first. Fluid color cam be ised as an early indicator of transmssion problems.
 

CurseTheSky

Diamond Member
Oct 21, 2006
5,401
2
0
Now here's the next fun part... the transmission doesn't have a dipstick. Is there any other way to check the fluid?

I guess I could dip something into the fill, but I'm not sure if that would be the best way.
 

CrackRabbit

Lifer
Mar 30, 2001
16,642
62
91
Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
Now here's the next fun part... the transmission doesn't have a dipstick. Is there any other way to check the fluid?

I guess I could dip something into the fill, but I'm not sure if that would be the best way.

No dipstick? :confused: WTF?
Yeah the best thing would be to dip something into the fill, a sheet of white paper should work.
Or go ahead and take it and have the fluid changed. It is probably due anyways, just ask the shop to let you see what the old fluid looked like. It shouldn't be more than $60-75 for a simple fluid and filter change.
 

steppinthrax

Diamond Member
Jul 17, 2006
3,990
6
81
Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
Now here's the next fun part... the transmission doesn't have a dipstick. Is there any other way to check the fluid?

I guess I could dip something into the fill, but I'm not sure if that would be the best way.

This sounds like a manual transmission????
 

Pacfanweb

Lifer
Jan 2, 2000
13,158
59
91
Some autos have no dipstick. Stupid idea, regardless of manufacturer.

Your choices are as follows:
1. Get it diagnosed...prefer a dealership if they have a good trans man. They have access to technical info that takes awhile to trickle down to independent shops.

2. Get it flushed first, see if that fixes the problem. You're close to the mileage that it needs to be done, anyway.

That's it. Other than going by the dealership and asking if they've seen this particular concern before. A good service advisor would know, if all the advisor wants to do is schedule an appt, try to speak to a trans man first.
 

Wolfie

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
2,894
2
76
Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
It's definately an automatic.

I did find this in a quick search - as far as I know, the 2000-2003 Malibus were just about identical: http://autorepair.about.com/library/a/1g/bl688g.htm

I'll check it tomorrow to see how the fluid level is doing.

Funny that you would have to climb under the car to check the tranny level with the engine running. Not sure if that is the safest thing to do.

But I know my truck had the same problem with the shifting when it was new. Not sure what they did, but when I did check up on my truck, it had something to do with the servos in the valve body of the transmission. Maybe that could be someplace where they could start looking. But since it's a random thing, I would almost start looking at the tranny computer and maybe look at the conection for the computer. If I remember right, the transmission computer wouldn't set off a check engine light. Have they tried to pull off tranny codes?
 

CurseTheSky

Diamond Member
Oct 21, 2006
5,401
2
0
Originally posted by: Wolfie
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
It's definately an automatic.

I did find this in a quick search - as far as I know, the 2000-2003 Malibus were just about identical: http://autorepair.about.com/library/a/1g/bl688g.htm

I'll check it tomorrow to see how the fluid level is doing.</end quote></div>

Funny that you would have to climb under the car to check the tranny level with the engine running. Not sure if that is the safest thing to do.

But I know my truck had the same problem with the shifting when it was new. Not sure what they did, but when I did check up on my truck, it had something to do with the servos in the valve body of the transmission. Maybe that could be someplace where they could start looking. But since it's a random thing, I would almost start looking at the tranny computer and maybe look at the conection for the computer. If I remember right, the transmission computer wouldn't set off a check engine light. Have they tried to pull off tranny codes?

I did myself actually, at a local auto parts place. It came up with some code that no one had ever heard of before. I'll try to find the sheet again, but it was transmission related. Thinking back, I should have taken it to the dealership right then and there.
 

Wolfie

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
2,894
2
76
Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Wolfie
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
It's definately an automatic.

I did find this in a quick search - as far as I know, the 2000-2003 Malibus were just about identical: http://autorepair.about.com/library/a/1g/bl688g.htm

I'll check it tomorrow to see how the fluid level is doing.</end quote></div>

Funny that you would have to climb under the car to check the tranny level with the engine running. Not sure if that is the safest thing to do.

But I know my truck had the same problem with the shifting when it was new. Not sure what they did, but when I did check up on my truck, it had something to do with the servos in the valve body of the transmission. Maybe that could be someplace where they could start looking. But since it's a random thing, I would almost start looking at the tranny computer and maybe look at the conection for the computer. If I remember right, the transmission computer wouldn't set off a check engine light. Have they tried to pull off tranny codes?</end quote></div>

I did myself actually, at a local auto parts place. It came up with some code that no one had ever heard of before. I'll try to find the sheet again, but it was transmission related. Thinking back, I should have taken it to the dealership right then and there.

Ok good. At least that is a start. Good luck with the problem. I just wish I could help you out more.