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Randall, ASE Master Tech
Category: Transmissions
Positive Feedback: 98.4 %
Satisfied Customers: 9990
Experience: ASE Master Tech, 32 yrs, Auto trans diagnostic and repair
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Oldsmobile Silhouette: I have a 1999 Olds Sillohuette w/ 73000

Resolved Question:

I have a 1999 Olds Sillohuette w/ 73000 miles. I had to have the trans rebuilt at 51000 miles due to extremely hard shifting. Now it is doing it again, but seem to start occuring on longer trips(not around town) or after a sudden stop. Is my transmission computer controlled? It seems like I remember the first repairman said something about a torque convertor going bad.

Submitted: 12 months ago.
Category: Transmissions
Expert:  Randall replied 12 months ago.

Hello, I am Randall

Is the hard shifting in each up shift gear. so.. everythime it shits it shifts real hard? or is the hard shift only when going into overdriver or another gear?

Customer: replied 12 months ago.

It shifts hard in all up gears when it starts happening (usually on longer trips after trans/motor are hot) It also occurs sometimes after a quick stop at a traffic light.

Customer: replied 12 months ago.

This is the third try to do this - maybe it will go through this time! It shifts hard on all up gears when it starts to happen

Expert:  Randall replied 12 months ago.

Have to bear with me, have to look up info and then type and send. sorry about that

It sounds like a bad or failing PC vakve or pressure control valve

Its located on the side of the trans valve body.

Now.. yes, yours is 100% computer controlled but the PCm generally does not cause this

During a rebuild they do not change control valves or solenoids, only soft parts and hard parts and seals that are worn inside

I am thinking the PC valve may be sticking at times and this will cause too high of fluid pressure and hard upshifts. Torque converter maybe? but usually not till you shift into overdrive

At this point its important to be sure trans fluid 100% full. You may want to consider adding a bottle of Lucas trans additive as may really help to free up the PC valve

A full trans fluid flush may not be bad idea as well

Transmissions are complex, computer controlled so,, a scanner hooked up viewing live data is the only way to do diagnostics etc so I can only lean to what I feel the problem is

the PC valve requies the pan off, valve body out to change it. recommend a shop to do this if at all possible

Randall, ASE Master Tech
Category: Transmissions
Positive Feedback: 98.4 %
Satisfied Customers: 9990
Experience: ASE Master Tech, 32 yrs, Auto trans diagnostic and repair
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