4EAT Slow to Engage Drive after Reversing

[mikec]

Hey Everyone,

I'm hoping this is just because its stupidly cold outside right now (-19C ). I've also noticed it on some other really cold days. Just after I reverse out of my driveway and put the car into D, it takes a second or 2 to actually engage. The transmission is definitely still cold. Once its been driven for a bit, it shifts fine. Should I just suspect the tranny fluid, or is that a sign of bigger problems?

Not sure if it's related or helps at all, but I've also noticed the shifts from 1st to 2nd are kinda abrupt when accelerating slowly, but feels good when really giving it gas.

As always, thanks in advance!

[Legacy777]

It's normal.....don't worry about it.

Good synthetic tranny fluid may help the issue....but I wouldn't worry about it.

[mikec]

It's only really been a problem when I decide to pull out in front of someone, without enough space for it to get into gear... Guess I'll have to be more patient.

Thanks Josh!

[ciper]

Are you driving the car before the temp gauge has started to move?

[mikec]

The coolant temp? Yeah, but slowly and easily. I don't have a tranny temp gauge installed yet, so I have no idea what its doing.

[Legacy777]

It's only really been a problem when I decide to pull out in front of someone, without enough space for it to get into gear... Guess I'll have to be more patient.

Thanks Josh!

Are you saying your backing out into the street and if there's someone coming and you try and go....it takes a little bit to engage?

Or are you saying it's pausing between shifts?

[mikec]

Are you saying your backing out into the street and if there's someone coming and you try and go....it takes a little bit to engage?

Or are you saying it's pausing between shifts?

The first one. It takes a second or 2 to engage when its been really cold. I just went out an hour ago, and it was fine. So it seems if its been sitting overnight and its been really cold it does it. I made the mistake once of giving it gas, and discovered that I could easily get the tires to chirp If I put it into drive and wait a couple of seconds, then give it gas, its fine.

I dunno... Because its not happening all the time, I wasn't too worried about it.

Edit:
Would the shifting from 1st to 2nd that I can feel when I'm easy on the throttle have anything to do with this?

Dunno if it helps, but I had the tranny flushed last month at a JiffyLube. Last time I checked the fluid level was okay, but I'll check it tomorrow. When I bought the car, the fluid was grossly overfilled, which is why I had it flushed.

[Legacy777]

The hard shift between 1st & 2nd is something I too noticed when cold.

[ciper]

Read this, seemed like it could be useful for others who view this thread..


"Automatic transmission: If the transmission is slow to engage after being parked, the torque converter is draining down and a new cooler line with a check valve must be installed. (1990-91)"