'02 Auto Tranny Issues

[jshillin]

My girlfriend has an '02 SXT Auto, she is having issues with it reving on her when she gives it gas. She mainly has issues when she gives it gas at stop lights. She says that she gives it gas at a stop light and it just revs, she lets off and gives it gas and then it goes. She says it will rev when she is going down the road and it does the same thing.
I drive the car from time to time but have no issues with it. I've had more than my fair share of neons, but I haven't messed with Auto's and know nothing about them. The car has 100k on it now, I changed the tranny fluid and filter about 10k miles ago. I'm thinking that either the bands need adjusted or the valve body needs changed, but I'm not sure. I looked at Modern and Howell's for a valve body for an '02, but only see them listed for up to '01. I've had more than my fair share of neons, just don't know anything about automatics...

Thanks Guys,

- Jason

[occasional demons]

I'll have to assume it's the 4 speed ATX. Most times the clutches wear, but it would be going into limp mode if they were worn that much. The TCM moniters how many cc's of fluid it akes to fill each set of clutches every time they engage, if there is too much volume then it goes into limp mode. In limp mode I believe it just goes into 2nd gear and will not shift. The ignition has to be shut off for a minute or so then restarted to reset the trans. But you didn't mention that it would "stick in gear", so I would say the torque converter is probably on it's way out or the correct fluid wasn't used for refill. There are no bands used in the A604/40TE transaxle.

[jshillin]

I'll have to assume it's the 4 speed ATX. Most times the clutches wear, but it would be going into limp mode if they were worn that much. The TCM moniters how many cc's of fluid it akes to fill each set of clutches every time they engage, if there is too much volume then it goes into limp mode. In limp mode I believe it just goes into 2nd gear and will not shift. The ignition has to be shut off for a minute or so then restarted to reset the trans. But you didn't mention that it would "stick in gear", so I would say the torque converter is probably on it's way out or the correct fluid wasn't used for refill. There are no bands used in the A604/40TE transaxle.

Yep, 4speed atx.
It never goes into a limp mode, just revs for a moment from what she tells me.
I'll double check the fluid level this weekend. If it's the torque converter that's gonna suck...
I can't remember what fluid I used. If I remember correctly I looked it up in the back of the owners manual and bought it at the local parts store. Do you think I should change the fluid again?? I was going to have the tranny flushed, but 2 of the local tranny shops said it does more harm than good.

[occasional demons]

Fliud should be ATF+4, IIRC. usually around $3.50 - $4.50/qt. trans should be warmed up when checking fluid level and in park, unless that's changed. I don't think dexron III would cause it to slip, TC shudder, yes. But you never know. If by some chance the wrong fluid was added, then drain it, refill, run it, and drain/refill again to get the wrong fluid out of the TC. You wouldn't need to fill completely the first time just enough to keep from doing damage. just start the engine and let it run for a minute then do the second drain/refill. That should get the percentage of wrong fluid low enough. Did you change the filter? Was there alot of debris in the pan when you changed it the first time?

[Panhead]

check the trans soleniod. i already had it replaced but its the square thing in front of the trans. your 4 spd atx is electronically controlled and your solenoid could be going.

on the side note, check your fluid too.

[jshillin]

I had her check the extra bottle in her trunk. It is ATF+F and I did change the filter. It really didn't look bad at all, not gunk in the bottom of the pan. I'll try to check the fluid tomorrow if I get a chance. I work 2 jobs from 6am to 10pm a lot of days and it doesn't leave me much time to check these things.
So, if it's not the fluid, it's probably the torque converter???

check the trans soleniod. i already had it replaced but its the square thing in front of the trans. your 4 spd atx is electronically controlled and your solenoid could be going.

on the side note, check your fluid too.

What exactly do I check on the solenoid?? The connections?? Do they cause this problem?? How much are they??

[occasional demons]

check the trans soleniod. i already had it replaced but its the square thing in front of the trans. your 4 spd atx is electronically controlled and your solenoid could be going.

on the side note, check your fluid too.

Good point, the solenoid pack is on the front, where the wires plug in. When it is put in gear you should hear that "clicking" sound every time. That is the solenoids working. If you can replicate the problem and you don't hear that noise, the solenoid pack needs replaced. It is the sound it makes just before you feel it engage in gear. Almost like a quiet buzzing. IIRC Autozone even sells them, and I don't think they are too expensive. 03neonSE could better answer that...

[05NeonSE]

My girlfriend has an '02 SXT Auto, she is having issues with it reving on her when she gives it gas. She mainly has issues when she gives it gas at stop lights. She says that she gives it gas at a stop light and it just revs, she lets off and gives it gas and then it goes. She says it will rev when she is going down the road and it does the same thing.
I drive the car from time to time but have no issues with it. I've had more than my fair share of neons, but I haven't messed with Auto's and know nothing about them. The car has 100k on it now, I changed the tranny fluid and filter about 10k miles ago. I'm thinking that either the bands need adjusted or the valve body needs changed, but I'm not sure. I looked at Modern and Howell's for a valve body for an '02, but only see them listed for up to '01. I've had more than my fair share of neons, just don't know anything about automatics...

Thanks Guys,

- Jason

i just had this happen to me no more than 15 minutes ago. It seemed to me like if it slipped into neutral then after giving it a bit of gas and it reaching a certain rpm it would start going again.

[BlackRoseRacing]

Yes ATF+4, it can be picked up at just about any parts store....
The symptoms your describing are typical signs of low fluid, but with the 4speed it will do that issue only so many times before it will hit limp mode. Another note, check the fluid carefully for signs of antifreeze mixing with it, we at work describe it as a strawberry milkshake. When this happens, wich is quite often, the radiator splits internally mixing antifreeze with the trani fluid causing shifting problems.
And as far as the solenoid pack is concerned, remove the big harness connected to the top of the solenoid pack and look into the connector on the solenoid pack, do you see trani fluid? if so the solenoid pack is shot....

[Adionik]

Yes ATF+4, it can be picked up at just about any parts store....
The symptoms your describing are typical signs of low fluid, but with the 4speed it will do that issue only so many times before it will hit limp mode. Another note, check the fluid carefully for signs of antifreeze mixing with it, we at work describe it as a strawberry milkshake. When this happens, wich is quite often, the radiator splits internally mixing antifreeze with the trani fluid causing shifting problems.
And as far as the solenoid pack is concerned, remove the big harness connected to the top of the solenoid pack and look into the connector on the solenoid pack, do you see trani fluid? if so the solenoid pack is shot....

I'm going to have to check this, as my car is going through some issues here with limp mode and just shifting TERRIBLE. Trans fluid is up to par. Freaking sucks. I think I need a new tranny.