QuestionQUESTION: Limp mode had occured once or twice before getting to the highway, restarted the car and had taken the car for a 40km trip. ran fine up to 100km and parked it in the hot sun for several hours then returned to drive back. it had gone into limp mode once or twice, on the route back, within a minute or two restarted a few times and it ran for 5 km fine at 80km/h and then lost all torque/power and then pulled over to the side of the rode, turned it off and turned it back on and front wheel was locked in drive, reverse, nuetral. Car is currently locked in park unless engine is turned off and placed in neutral. fluid levels are normal. did an on,off check and only came up with the 55 code. engine will rev and the rpm will go up. but no go. please help, going to tow it in for a free check estimate at a local trans shop for a free estimate, but still would like advise.
thank you Brendan
ANSWER: Hi Brendan
I would try to get the fault code readout on the transmission memory which is likely to be available as an OBD-II readout from the under- dash socket. Once you have the four digit numbers and the names of the codes, then ask what they mean, what they recommend, and how much to repair. Then write back with the results and we'll go from there.
The symptoms are not specific or exactly clear to me but in any case the self-diagnostics are the bottom line so get the codes. Please clarify what is the condition in the forward, reverse, and neutral settings with the engine running:
If by "locked" you mean the engine won't turn the wheels (as opposed to being truly locked as in Park position which is a true physical locked-up condition), then the reasons for no movement could be in the torque converter area of the trans, the gear and clutches part of the trans, or the final drive/differential part of the trans. The way to differentiate those three is to look at the rpm of the input turbine speed sensor and output speed sensor, using the diagnostic readout tool. So ask what those results show as well (do the turbine and output both show rpm, or only the turbine, or neither?).
I would go with a local Independent shop (not a nationwide franchise shop) as they are more likely to identify specific problem and could repair it rather than sell you a "rebuilt" unit.
Roland
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: 54 gear ratio error in 4th.
44 undriven solenoid circuit error
6 fault immediatly after shift
hard metal in trans pan. said that the torque converter seemed fine and other sensor portions seemed fine, and that was the readout information.
not sure if i should look at getting parts to do a rebuild until i get the tranny dropped and opened to see what exactly is broken and damaged. was offered a free estimate if i bring in the tranny after i drop it, but it will be given back to me in a box of parts if i decline the work. or should i go look at getting another one used from the bone yard. or rip it apart myself and find out what i need to rebuild it from the broken and torn portions.
thanks Brendan
AnswerHi Brendan,
There are two issues that appear to be independent, which along with the metal parts in the pan, suggest an internal rebuild is going to be necessary. The 4th gear error is typically treated as an internal part failure and at the same time the ud solenoid would not typically explain the 54 because the ud clutch is not used during 4th gear operation (only 1,2,and 3). The 36 says the problem is probably mechanical in nature rather than purely hydraulic.
So that is the best I can draw from the situation.
Good luck on choosing what approach to take.
Roland
