Why is my trans slipping ONLY when warmed up?

45

Asked by Guru2NF4 May 10, 2017 at 06:21 PM about the 2003 Chevrolet Impala FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

When 4T65E trans is cold-all gears lock in, and shifts correctly.
Easily spins wheels on sand roads.

After warm up and at op temp, all gears slip badly.
Kill engine, sit for 5 mins, then restart car- trans works OK for very short distance, then slips again.
Then drive down steep hill to 50-60 mph, am able to maintain speed for several miles, even over medium hills- if I don't stop.

Changed fluid and filter-problem remains.
Poorly maintained, fluid was dark brown/black, but did not taste or smell burnt.
Silt/dust in pan, but no chunks of anything nor aluminum shavings.

Replaced TCC solenoid-problem remains.

Have a code-P0757(shift solenoid B) but do not understand how that is effecting all gears only when warm.

Car shows over 211,200 miles, but do not know it's history.

Thank you for your advice.

4 Answers

45

Thanks for the reply Tom, but that does not explain why it slips ONLY after it's warmed up, why it works OK for a short distance after shutting down for 5 mins, and why I can maintain hiway speeds with momentum. Please read the symptoms in my original post. If I could travel the 80 miles one way down the mountain -and then back up again-), I would gladly have them tell me if its an electronic control outside the trans, or if it's a mechanical problem. I've got a known good trans(parts car), but why swap them out if it's just an electronical problem that would still remain afterwards?

2 people found this helpful.

Cold fluid will run at a higher pressure than hot fluid. That your fluid was dark brown or black indicates that the transmission has probably been running too hot. After the rebuild install a larger transmission cooler and a ATF temperature gauge.

1 people found this helpful.
45

Good info F_O_R, thanks. Do you think the fluid and trans would cool down in just 5 mins, temporarily restoring operation? I'll check the temps next test-drive to be sure. I'm worried there might be a temperature related electronic device or signal to-or-from the pcm, causing a pressure problem. DANG ELECTRONICS! My Son wants to just swap out the trans without further research or troubleshooting....the boundless exuberance of reckless youth, or the caution of wasted labor experiences and age, right?

1 people found this helpful.

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