MitsuStyle - Real Quick Question

Quote:

Originally Posted by TsiEagleTalon92

Though this isn't a DSM question.. My father owns an 01 Grand Am GT and hes only got around 43,000mi and hes getting some pretty good tranny slip going from first to second and he thinks it's from the fluid it has but I think it might be a little farfetched, But what do I know. Hope some of you can come up with an explination or a solution to it. thanks.

Newer electronically controlled transmissions have lots of possible things that can go wrong. Luckily, any good tranny shop can put a diagnostic machine on it and drive the car and pinpoint the problem area. You want some guesses? Possibly a force motor, 2nd gear band/apply pin, accumulator seal or shift solinoid. If the car is low on fluid then the damage is probably already done and changing the fluid won't do much. You can pull the dipstick and smell the fluid. It should smell burnt if you're losing clutch pack material and have a gritty feel when you rub it between your index and thumb. The fluid will also be a dark color instead of the nice clean red if clutch packs are toast. Have it fixed early or pay for a bunch of hard parts later. Good luck.