Transmission Trouble

Manthony · 05-31-2006

I have a 92 LX w/98k miles. It has the A4LD automatic. When I first bought the car, I noticed it would hesitate about 4 or 5 seconds to engage first gear when shifted into drive. I have been driving it this way for about a year. Now it's getting worse. When put into drive, I have to increase the RPMs to about 2000 to engage fisrt gear. Once it is in gear it drives without any problems. This doesn't happen with reverse, just forward gears. I dropped the pan and found the usual amount of silver mud. No solid matierial or metal chunks of any kind. The fluid smells a little burned, but not too bad. My question; Could it be just the Converter? Can I positivley determine this is my problem before I remove the trans? Can the converter be tested when removed from the car? Would it be worth the chance to just replace the converter to see if this is my only problem? Any insight would be greatly appreciated!!!

GTRaptor · 05-31-2006

Its probably a valvebody pressure problem, i dont think it is the converter.

Manthony · 06-01-2006

I have the trans out of the car now. Where should I start?

GT02 · 06-08-2006

Well, As stated before, a pressure problem not a converter problem. Was the oil filter ever changed on the trans in 98K miles? If not possibly the filter was clogged/ blocked. Before pulling the trans I would have suggested a filter/ fluid change. If you're going to work on the tranny, you should probably search around and find info on the tranny. I think TCCoA has info on their website as to valve body mods, history , etc.. Good Luck!:thumbsup

Manthony · 06-14-2006

Yea. I did change the fluid and the filter when I first put the car on the road. Didn't seem to change the problem at all. I probably should have done the pressure tests before I took it out, but I did find a shop that will do a dyno for me before I go any farther. I have found a ton of info both here and elsewhere about doing a rebuild. Just a few specialty tools, but nothing real difficult. Thanks for all the input. I'll be sure and post the results of my venture, as the info may help someone else down the line.