winter cold trans stays in 1st gear for several miles


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winter cold trans stays in 1st gear for several miles

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Auto Repair Home>> Automotive Repair>> Transmission Problems

dummysmart
New User

Feb 1, 2015, 2:39 PM

Post #1 of 3 (1430 views)

winter cold trans stays in 1st gear for several miles	Sign In

Pontiac
Grand Am
2004
Auto Trans
140k
Never flushed/drained trans.

Shifts great in warm weather.
Winter, when it is cold, wont shift unless warms up. Stays in 1st gear for a few miles and then starts to shift right. Else, i have to let it warm up in the morning for 20 minutes before going for a drive.
When the gear is stuck in 1st, the RPMs dont go any higher than 2k.
Whats wrong with it? Hardened rubber washers/gaskets in AT? Dirty ATF filter? Solenoid in AT bad?

I am NOT a car person, please help!
Thank you kindly.
--The Big Dummy.

Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Feb 1, 2015, 3:11 PM

Post #2 of 3 (1422 views)

Re: winter cold trans stays in 1st gear for several miles	Sign In

OK - Not a car person and fluid never done and still works at all at 140K but doesn't like cold - who does? At this point if warming it up solves it then warm it up or change out ALL the fluid which takes a machine. Risk now IMO in doing that. It either gets better or accumulated yuk with the new fluid gets cleaned out too fast and game over for that trans that really owes you nothing also IMO.

How cold is cold to you? Some that means below zero stuff some below 40F where it's parked? Way below zero despite suggestions not to run cars too long and just get going it's just too dang cold to drive and see yet so what are you supposed to do?

T

gsferraro
Veteran

Feb 1, 2015, 3:34 PM

Post #3 of 3 (1418 views)

Re: winter cold trans stays in 1st gear for several miles	Sign In

This trans is a 4T40E, No dipstick to check the fluid, car should be put on a lift because it has a check plug underneath the right side axle. If the fluid looks good, its possible you have a sticky 1-2 shift valve or a lazy solenoid when its cold. Gary

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