TCC Solenoid problem on 1994 Silhouette - solved

> Robert Hancock wrote:
>> It's possible that the TCC is slipping (in which case you've got a bad
>> rebuilt trans), but this is quite possibly nothing to do with the
>> transmission at all. If you have any kind of misfire or ignition voltage
>> leakage problem, then higher throttle openings with the TCC locked
is when
>> you're most likely to notice it.
>>
>> Unless you're pretty heavily into the gas, the TCC should be staying
locked,
>> so I'm doubtful that it's anything to do with the TPS, etc.
>>
>
> Robert,
>
> I normally would tend to agree with you, but the spark plugs and wires
> are only two months old. Prior to the old transmission taking a crap,
> you would think that these symptoms would have showed up. It just seems
> too coincidental that it just starts happening when a rebuilt tranny is
> installed.
>
> I set the TPS to 0.48V to appease the tranny shop, now I will have them
> test ride it again, with the scan tool hooked up. This is a definite
> clunking, not an ignition related issue.
>
> In a previous vehicle (1994 Buick PA), I have experienced the ignition
> problem. It's more of a miss/hesitation with the plug and plug wires
> were bad. This time it is like it is trying to downshift and upshift at
> the same time causing the clunk (almost like the tranny or engine mounts
> weren't tightened). If it ever warms up, I would actually get under it
> and check all of the mounts myself.
>
> Thanks for you help.
> Bill

Robert,

Well, it appears that you were indeed correct. Here is a list of what I
had to do to remedy the situation.

- Took it back to the tranny shop. The line pressures were too high,
so they adjusted it. Didn't solve the problem.
- Wife ran the van out of gas the next week. With 196K mile on the
van, and pretty sure it was the original fuel pump, I changed the fuel
pump. I did diagnose the fuel pump, and could only get about 50 psi
when clamping off the return line. When replacing the pump, the fuel
sock was collapsed, so that was probably the real problem.
- Took the ignition module off and had it checked out. Checked out
the coils also.
- Cleaned out the throttle body. Had a coolant leak between the
throttle body and the upper intake. Replaced the gasket, which looked
terrible, and cleaned everything out.
- Started to notice a sulfur smell to the exhaust, so I 'cleaned out'
the catalytic converter and replaced the O2 sensor. I did use sensor
save throttle body cleaner, but the O2 sensor was being lazy, and the
cleaner probably didn't help the CAT at all.
- Finally noticed arc-ing with the fairly new plug wires (only 2K
miles on them). After each item I replace or diagnosed, I would spray a
mist of water on the plug wires in the dark, but never noticed a problem
until this past weekend (03/05/04). All of the wires were arc-ing, so I
got my free replacement from AutoZone (they better last longer this
time). There was still a small miss around 2800-3000 rpm, so I decided
to change the plugs also (they were replace with the wires).

Now the van drives better than it has ever driven. I should have just
replaced the plugs and wires first, but there wasn't any arc-ing.

Thanks again,
Bill

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Thanks for the update. Great information!
Paul
"Bill Yehle" <wfyehl@netscape.net> wrote in message
news:404DE494.2070404@netscape.net...
> > Robert Hancock wrote:
> >> It's possible that the TCC is slipping (in which case you've got a bad
> >> rebuilt trans), but this is quite possibly nothing to do with the
> >> transmission at all. If you have any kind of misfire or ignition
voltage
> >> leakage problem, then higher throttle openings with the TCC locked
> is when
> >> you're most likely to notice it.
> >>
> >> Unless you're pretty heavily into the gas, the TCC should be staying
> locked,
> >> so I'm doubtful that it's anything to do with the TPS, etc.
> >>
> >
> > Robert,
> >
> > I normally would tend to agree with you, but the spark plugs and wires
> > are only two months old. Prior to the old transmission taking a crap,
> > you would think that these symptoms would have showed up. It just
seems
> > too coincidental that it just starts happening when a rebuilt tranny is
> > installed.
> >
> > I set the TPS to 0.48V to appease the tranny shop, now I will have them
> > test ride it again, with the scan tool hooked up. This is a definite
> > clunking, not an ignition related issue.
> >
> > In a previous vehicle (1994 Buick PA), I have experienced the ignition
> > problem. It's more of a miss/hesitation with the plug and plug wires
> > were bad. This time it is like it is trying to downshift and upshift
at
> > the same time causing the clunk (almost like the tranny or engine
mounts
> > weren't tightened). If it ever warms up, I would actually get under it
> > and check all of the mounts myself.
> >
> > Thanks for you help.
> > Bill
>
> Robert,
>
> Well, it appears that you were indeed correct. Here is a list of what I
> had to do to remedy the situation.
>
> - Took it back to the tranny shop. The line pressures were too high,
> so they adjusted it. Didn't solve the problem.
> - Wife ran the van out of gas the next week. With 196K mile on the
> van, and pretty sure it was the original fuel pump, I changed the fuel
> pump. I did diagnose the fuel pump, and could only get about 50 psi
> when clamping off the return line. When replacing the pump, the fuel
> sock was collapsed, so that was probably the real problem.
> - Took the ignition module off and had it checked out. Checked out
> the coils also.
> - Cleaned out the throttle body. Had a coolant leak between the
> throttle body and the upper intake. Replaced the gasket, which looked
> terrible, and cleaned everything out.
> - Started to notice a sulfur smell to the exhaust, so I 'cleaned out'
> the catalytic converter and replaced the O2 sensor. I did use sensor
> save throttle body cleaner, but the O2 sensor was being lazy, and the
> cleaner probably didn't help the CAT at all.
> - Finally noticed arc-ing with the fairly new plug wires (only 2K
> miles on them). After each item I replace or diagnosed, I would spray a
> mist of water on the plug wires in the dark, but never noticed a problem
> until this past weekend (03/05/04). All of the wires were arc-ing, so I
> got my free replacement from AutoZone (they better last longer this
> time). There was still a small miss around 2800-3000 rpm, so I decided
> to change the plugs also (they were replace with the wires).
>
> Now the van drives better than it has ever driven. I should have just
> replaced the plugs and wires first, but there wasn't any arc-ing.
>
> Thanks again,
> Bill
>
> --
> Your favorite stores, helpful shopping tools and great gift ideas.
> Experience the convenience of buying online with Shop@Netscape!
> http://shopnow.netscape.com/
>