ok, I'm new to this forum and have had my van for a year now, 173,500 miles, 3.3L, 2WD. It's always leaked a little bit of tranny fluid since the cooler was replaced after a fender bender. Just the cooler was replaced and new fluid. Here's what I've done:

-Stop Leak (I know, not supposed to but not much $ in the past)
-Replaced filter & Pan gasket 6 months ago. Filled with ATF (Not ATF +4, another oops I just learned about)

Just started a week ago, when accelerating on the highway at a spirited pace the shift from 3rd to 4th is taking excess time. The tach may be @ 2500-3000rpm and I'll get a whining sound like a solenoid is trying to engage, then it will shift in 5 sec. or so, or I back off on the gas pedal and it will shift easier. I also can hear a slight whining sound when driving.

Questions:
- Should I get that ATF outa there ASAP and change the filter?
- If I get codes and the solenoid pack is suspect, can I replace it myself without the fancy diagnostics computers? My Haynes manual says something about a "quick learn" procedure that only the dealerships/shops can perform.
- In regards to the leaking, it's still there. How suspect are the cooler lines? easy to change?

Thanks,
Brandon

 

repalce it asap. i beleive they engineered it with what ever a manufactor recommends for lubrication. you put something else in you just asking for trouble. depends where leaks is i fix that too.

 

Welcome to DF
Hi Brandon
A non ATF+4 will not hurt the transmission. Your shifting problem maybe due to hard seals. Did you have this problem before the trans service? before replacing the trans, try doing a power flush with ATF+4 and a seal softner.

 

Nope, the problem didn't start until a week ago, I services the trans about 4 or more months ago.
I noticed the fluid level was really low, and it usually is about once a week and I have to add more. Obviously I have a leak somewhere.

I'm going to check my cooler lines, I bet those are probably a culprit, especially if the fender bender a while back tweaked things in that area.
I'll also flush out the old fluid and replace it with ATF+4.

What is a seal softener, any brands you would recommend?

 

When a transmission has hard seals due to heat, then you could have shifting problems. In most cases when we do a power flush with a MOC trans conditioner to help bring the seals back. Sometime it could be to late and then we have overhaul the trans. Ck with your local parts store.