Sab

After several month of troublefree operation, I encountered a strange problem the last two days.
Engine temperature seemed normal and I noticed the transmission shifting down to third gear on the highway and then not wanting to go back up to fourth gear. I kind of had to get on and off the throttle to get it to shift in fourth.

Upon arriving at home I checked around the car and noticed some coolant under the passenger side.

Next day I topped of coolant, it was low and checked tranny fluid, which was low as well. I topped off all fluids and took it for a spin. It seemed normal for a while but then started to downshift again.

The coolant leak seems to come out of a rubber flap in the firewall just under the coolant reservoir on the passenger side.

So I assume a leak in the heater core or hoses behind firewall.

I guess I could plug the feeder and return line from the heater. But could this all be related to the tranny problem? Can low coolant affect the transfluid temp but not result the engine to overheat?

Any help would be great.

regards,
Sab.

okbarnett

the fluid leak is probibly the valve in the water line to the heater. They go bad constantly. Change it easily. If thats not it, the resevoir may have a crack in bottom, or one of the hoses. No relation to trans problem.

Gregg K

Yep. Just had the same problem this week. Get a rag, wipe the valve. Then start the car and check for liquid under the valve with your finger. It's a cheap and easy fix, if that's the problem.

SharkSkin

The coolant leak is probably from one of the heater hose ends. You need to lift the front edge of the plastic rain shield that covers this area in order to gain access. The valve is far away from this area, and can't account for coolant coming from the location you describe. Also beware, fluids in this area can get through the blower motor and onto the fuse panel. WYAIT clean out any debris in that front tray area to make sure it can drain properly.

Transmission is another issue. Maybe something is putting excess tension on the kickdown cable.

ErnestSw

Check your coolant for transmission fluid and your transmission fluid for coolant.. It's possible that the transmission cooler is trading fluid with the radiator. I'm grabbing at straws here, but maybe an over pressure situation in your coolant could cause the valve to leak and coolant to get in your transmission fluid and cause your shifting problem.

Sab

OK, the heater valve is less then six month old and it is dry. First thing I checked.
When I press the coolant hoses I get coolant dripping out of the flap in the firewall.

And the tranny, coincidence? Two things going wrong the same day? Talking about bad luck...

Garth S

Sab,
Check your coolant for cherry red ATF: If two problems occur in tandem, there remains a chance they are linked - if the ATF coil in the rad popped a leak .............

edit - whoops, Ernest is already on the case!

Sab

Water in the tranny fluid, that sounds really ugly...
Will I have to drain the transmission in order to inspect? I guess it's probably a good idea anyway in respect to the shifting problems.
The coolant looks normal, but it is an orange fluid to start with, so I am not 100% sure.
There is still that coolant leak though.
Thanks for all the replies, I will update after draining the tranny.
regards,
Sab.

Mark

Sab - Methinks you have two separate and unrelated problems...on your tranny shifting problem...do you have a kickdown switch installed?? If so, almost sounds like it is shorting out....OR...

In looking at the WSM - there's a troubleshooting description:

"Automatic, unwanted downshifts outside of partial throttle downshift range, without operation of kickdown switch.

1 - Remove kickdown solenoid valve. Check o-ring on solenoid valve for damage.

2 - Check whether kickdown switch sticks in pressed position, replacing if necessary.

3 - Check whether solenoid valve sticks in open position, replacing if necessary."

okbarnett

the flap in the firewall. Well I dont understand. If its from the engine compartment, its probibly a hose or the resevoir tank. If its in the area under the plastic cowl cover where the wiper mechanism, the ac blower motor, is then its a heater hose right under the plastic cover. If its inside the car, it is probibly the heater core. You should be able to see it either way.

Sab

OK, coolant leak is fixed. It was leaking at the end of one of the hoses going to the heater.
The transmission problem seems a bit better, but it is still downshifting.
Mark, the kickdown switch operates freely. But where is the solenoid valve and how do I check it?
Thanks and regards,
Sab.

Mark

The solenoid valve is on the Tranny itself. My prev post was directly out of the WSM. Check there, if you have a copy.