Automatic gearbox problem

[manchild]

A friend of mine has Chrysler Neon with automatic gearbox and following problems:

When he's moves it into "D" the car sort of "jumps" a bit (I suggested that perhaps IDLE revs are set to high). It doesn't happen during gearshifts but only when gearbox is being put in "D" and afterwards when the throttle is pressed and car starts moving. (I suggested that perhaps oil level is too low)

During fast accelerations from place a "metallic" noise can be heard from gearbox.

Any suggestions what to look for or something else?

Thanks in advance!

[Ciro Pabón]

I've seen that in several Toyota automatic cars: you have to take apart the slip joint of the drive shaft and clean it. It works for a month or so...

Secondly, it could be the throttle pressure cable. It's the throttle body near the transmission with a rubber boot thingy.



To adjust it, in a Toyota 4runner (the image comes from my handy transmission troubleshooting manual), you have to depress fully the throttle pedal, pull back the boot to expose the stopper, and adjust the cable turning the nuts until there is 0 to 1mm of space between the stopper and the cable housing.

The same manual says you can also have one of the following:

- Valve body or primary regulator faulty: inspect valve body)
- Accumulator pistons faulty: inspect accumulator pistons)
- Transmission faulty: inspect the transmission (yeah, great help!)

Of course, I imagine you have already checked the motor and transmission mounts. If you haven't, be careful: you can crush a finger if the motor or transmission moves while you test it, specially if what's broken is the core of the mount. If that's the case, check transmission lines to the radiator: they can be loose or may break, I'm talking from experience.

Another "of course" is to check oil levels.

[manchild]

Thanks Ciro. Most of local mechanics are pricks. That car was bought after being used several years as a company vehicle driven by everyone, and without running diagnostics or stripping down gearbox they've shot out that repair will cost 800 euros (over 1100 $). That's more than 1/10 of car's value, perhaps even 2/10.

I guess for half of that price one can buy used 5 speed manual gearbox.

[Carlos]

Manchild - Add these to my other suggestions
That Neon 3 speed auto-slush box, could be motor,transmission, suspension mount or bushing causing that effect. Transmission shops the world over recommend a rebuild as a first suggestion the world over. Pirates. Here we have a routine called 'flush the transmission and tighten the bands', you might ask if that is on the local menu. I'd wait... until it stays in 1st gear (limp mode), losses a gear or just won't shift or move the car. It will still cost 800 dinos. I've also read that this particular deviant auto trans is very sensitive to what fluid is put in.

[manchild]

There was nothing wrong with gearbox! Only engine/gearbox mounts were damaged and should be replaced! One retired mechanic - an expert for US cars fixed it easily! Those pricks at official Daimler/Chrysler reseller repair shop run "diagnostic" and said that gearbox should be either refreshed with new parts or replaced with new one! What a bunch of looters! "Money for nothing and the chicks for free"

Thanks for all the help guys!

[Carlos]

I was right - As usual.

Always glad to lend you a hand Manchild

[Ray]

I was going to make a crude joke about it being a POS Chrysler, but I'm glad to hear you got it fixed. Now go junk it and get a Chevy!