There is a very small issue with my transmission that I have not been able to find an explanation for...

Done to it: Drained and refilled (took 6.5 liters) with LifeGuard 5 fluid, new filter and also installed the upgraded main pressure valve (TransGo). This was all done between 3,000 and 4,000 miles ago.

It shifts smoothly in all circumstances during normal driving. The ONLY anomaly occurs when idling around in a parking garage. The transmission seems to shift out of 1st but then require more RPM than would seem normal to engage 2nd. There is a spot between the gears where it's not in gear. It shifts into 2nd at about the rpm I would expect it to, but it leaves 1st well before that shift point. I hope I am explaining this clearly.

If I am accelerating, either slowly or quickly, there is no discernible problem; it goes smoothly from 1st through 5th. It's just that "gray area" between 1st and 2nd when idling.

The transmission has almost 102,000 miles on it right now.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

Hello. So I am a transmission builder so maybe I can help. Draining and filling does very

little for your trans. But lets start with what the fluid looked like? Next drop the pan!!!

If the pan is pretty clean change the filter. This is the most important item to replace

in the trans. It sounds like you are starving the trans for fluid. Remember a

transmission is nothing but a hydraulic pump. If the pump cant get enough fluid it cant

create enough pressure to hold the clutches applied. Hope this helps. Oh and was

there any codes?

 

If you changed the fluid and filter just a few thousand miles ago it would make more sense to first check to see that the fluid is at the correct level.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

No codes, at least nothing on my basic scanner but p1111.

I was concerned it may be low on fluid right after I did the fluid change because it took all 6 liters that came in my kit but didn't flow out until 51 degrees C.

So, I ordered another liter from Amazon and started filling with it cold but running. It took a half liter and started flowing out around 39 degrees C. I feel it is full, but perhaps I should add some more?

 

are you running in sport mode or normal?

 

Normal mode.

 

Sorry. I did not see that you did change the filter. My bad.

 

I think you start in second gear in normal mode.

Try it in sport mode; see if that changes the problem.

 

No Jim, the 5HP24 starts in 1st, but the SC Merc box starts in 2nd when in N mode. I wish the ZF did start in 2nd, then we wouldn't have all these A drum failures, maybe.

 

Before I left work last night I switched it to sport mode. I idled around the parking lot and did not experience the problem. I don't know exactly why it didn't do it in sport mode; perhaps it just holds onto gears longer?

That was just ONE test though. The next time I drive the car we'll see if sport mode has truly eliminated the problem.

Thanks for the idea, Jim.

 

Sport mode does raise the upshift speed, so that may well solve the problem. I usually run in sport mode to avoid the nuisance of having it shift back and forth between 4th and 5th at 45-50 mph.

 

Jim,

Nothing to do with your problem, which I hope you can solve.
But just saying you got a nice combo of Jag's there on the driveway.
Good luck,

Eric

 

Grandaughter

 

Now I feel like an idiot, as my comment was intended for harvest14.
No idea how I picked up "Jim".
Anyway, have to admit, sweet granddaughter too, be good to her.

Eric

 

Make sure you cycle it through all the gears after you fill it and check it again.