Problems after rebuild.
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Joined: Apr 2016
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Problems after rebuild. So I just rebuilt both my engine and trans. I have a 97 LT1 Trans Am.
I put a decent size cam in the motor and did not swap out my torque converter because summit sent me the wrong one. That's a long story.. Anyways, I was planning on swapping out the converters but I decided to break the car in on the stock converter. After about 2 weeks of driving on the fresh built trans, it will shift through 1st and 2nd just fine but in 3rd it won't engage til around 4k rpm. But it does go into 3rd. It will not shift into 4th though. Is my converter toast or is it the trans?
I put a decent size cam in the motor and did not swap out my torque converter because summit sent me the wrong one. That's a long story.. Anyways, I was planning on swapping out the converters but I decided to break the car in on the stock converter. After about 2 weeks of driving on the fresh built trans, it will shift through 1st and 2nd just fine but in 3rd it won't engage til around 4k rpm. But it does go into 3rd. It will not shift into 4th though. Is my converter toast or is it the trans?
First things first, I would check the line pressure via the port on the drivers side of the trans case. 4th gear has the 24 band applied which may indicate why you have 4th but rarely have 3rd. Also check the computer for dtc's
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Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Ann Arbor, MI
Yup, a pressure gauge and a scanner that can command different gears are the essential tools for diagnosing most trans problems. Without those two, you/we are just guessing.
Many local (non-chain) trans shops will hook those up and test at little or no charge.
If your trans works well/strong in any gear, then you can be pretty sure the converter is fine.
Many local (non-chain) trans shops will hook those up and test at little or no charge.
If your trans works well/strong in any gear, then you can be pretty sure the converter is fine.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2016
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Pressure is fine. I pulled the dipstick out and the fluid is grey. I'm gonna assume its the 3-4 clutch pack. The trans has to come out anyways for the new torque converter to be put in so I'll have it opened up and repaired at the same time I do that. Thanks for the responses!
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
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From: Ann Arbor, MI
And what does "pressure is fine" mean?
People generally post the pressure values in Park, Reverse, Drive and when blipping the throttle. Perhaps you are an experience builder who knows those values, but we have no way of knowing that. Also, more information helps future readers fix/understand their problems.
People generally post the pressure values in Park, Reverse, Drive and when blipping the throttle. Perhaps you are an experience builder who knows those values, but we have no way of knowing that. Also, more information helps future readers fix/understand their problems.
