Possible Tranny Trouble - Shifting Issues

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CREGAN
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Possible Tranny Trouble - Shifting Issues

Post by CREGAN »

I need a little help from all the experts here on the forum to determine if I am imagining things or if there is a potential problem with my Delica. I have a 94 L400 Auto and have been noticing for months now that when I am driving and I go to accelerate, the vehicle revs higher and speeds up but then it seems to be fighting with dropping down to a lower gear and kind of revs high then low then high etc. It really does not shift well from acceleration back down to a lower gear. Is this common amongst us L400's or is there potentially an issue here. It is really bad around 40km/h, 80 km/h and 120 km/h. It just wants to keep high/low reving instead of settling in to a gear. Is there a solution to this problem? I just had the injectors rebuilt and the whole front end breaks replaced because I had a seized caliper (Major Cheddar - so if there is a major problem, I probably don't have the cash to get it fixed). I am starting to think that this may play a factor in my diesel milage issues. Can the shift pattern be adjusted? Any input is greatly appreciated.

Craig
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Artacoma
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Re: Possible Tranny Trouble - Shifting Issues

Post by Artacoma »

Do you have the adjustable tranny with the 3 position switch (auto ,power and hold I think)
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Rising Sun Auto Import
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Re: Possible Tranny Trouble - Shifting Issues

Post by Rising Sun Auto Import »

CREGAN wrote:I need a little help from all the experts here on the forum to determine if I am imagining things or if there is a potential problem with my Delica. I have a 94 L400 Auto and have been noticing for months now that when I am driving and I go to accelerate, the vehicle revs higher and speeds up but then it seems to be fighting with dropping down to a lower gear and kind of revs high then low then high etc. It really does not shift well from acceleration back down to a lower gear. Is this common amongst us L400's or is there potentially an issue here. It is really bad around 40km/h, 80 km/h and 120 km/h. It just wants to keep high/low reving instead of settling in to a gear. Is there a solution to this problem? I just had the injectors rebuilt and the whole front end breaks replaced because I had a seized caliper (Major Cheddar - so if there is a major problem, I probably don't have the cash to get it fixed). I am starting to think that this may play a factor in my diesel milage issues. Can the shift pattern be adjusted? Any input is greatly appreciated.

Craig
From your explanation, you may have a slipping clutch issue.
If that is the case , you may need all clutch replaced and need to retorque conerter as well.
It will be a big job, so you'd better look for powertain warranty duration.
I recommend to replace it with used one instead of fixing, and it take appro. 10 hours for labour.

Just my opinion.

Steven :M
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Re: Possible Tranny Trouble - Shifting Issues

Post by Profister »

It is very unlikely that the transmission is faulty. The symptoms are more likely indicating the problem with the TPS. It needs either the adjustment or a replacement. Search the forum and you will find the troubleshooting procedure; it is easy to check it with a basic voltmeter. I had mine replaced because of the same problem. :M
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Re: Possible Tranny Trouble - Shifting Issues

Post by madmazda »

make sure the transmission switch on the lower left of dash is in the middle position as depending on where it is switched to this can change the shift point of your transmission....... or take it to either an oil change shop or transmission shop and get them to run a transmission cleaner through it to get rid of the barnishing on the discs and the galleries, this helps get rid of the crap that builds up in the transmission thus improves the feel of it..... also do what i do, if I'm stopping at a light or wherever for long (ish) periods of time pop it in neutral this stops the plates from slipping and heating up the oil which causes varnish to produce in the transmission and makes the oil last a lot longer.... I bought my van 3 years ago had my buddies oil change shop check the tranny fluid a month ago... he said the fluid looks new....
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Re: Possible Tranny Trouble - Shifting Issues

Post by jessef »

Profister wrote:It is very unlikely that the transmission is faulty. The symptoms are more likely indicating the problem with the TPS. It needs either the adjustment or a replacement. Search the forum and you will find the troubleshooting procedure; it is easy to check it with a basic voltmeter. I had mine replaced because of the same problem. :M
x2

same symptoms you are describing to the tee.

TPS adjustment or replacement is a common issue on the I series L400's. All the L400's I've came across needed the TPS to be tweaked positive or negative.

If it's off, the rpm's will hunt and try to find the gear to settle in. It's annoying and it will affect your fuel consumption as well.

Look at this before you even remotely consider an auto trans re&re as it is costly and a last resort.

If the TPS tests good (you need a meter to test continuity, not just voltage) and it's adjusted properly to 0.78V , then you can look at the sensors on the trans 'if' it goes that far.
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Re: Possible Tranny Trouble - Shifting Issues

Post by CREGAN »

jfarsang wrote:
Profister wrote:It is very unlikely that the transmission is faulty. The symptoms are more likely indicating the problem with the TPS. It needs either the adjustment or a replacement. Search the forum and you will find the troubleshooting procedure; it is easy to check it with a basic voltmeter. I had mine replaced because of the same problem. :M
x2

same symptoms you are describing to the tee.

TPS adjustment or replacement is a common issue on the I series L400's. All the L400's I've came across needed the TPS to be tweaked positive or negative.

If it's off, the rpm's will hunt and try to find the gear to settle in. It's annoying and it will affect your fuel consumption as well.

Look at this before you even remotely consider an auto trans re&re as it is costly and a last resort.

If the TPS tests good (you need a meter to test continuity, not just voltage) and it's adjusted properly to 0.78V , then you can look at the sensors on the trans 'if' it goes that far.
I have searched this and read up a bit on it but I have never done it so I am a bit nervous about it. From what I read it just took some turning with a screw driver, or am I thinking about adjusting the idle. Appreciate the quick responses and a clutch rebuild is definately not in the cards for me at the moment. Does anyone know the link to the threads on adjusting the TPS, with a bit of a step by step - like "TPS Adjustment for Dummies"? Keep in mind I am a backyard mechanic with a masters degree in duct tape and screwdriver chiselling. Not quite sure how to test on the continuity and voltage. I have a voltmeter.

Edit: I did find a link to adjusting it from the Aussie site. Looks do-able. Not sure about checking for continuity though.
Last edited by CREGAN on Fri Sep 02, 2011 3:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Possible Tranny Trouble - Shifting Issues

Post by jessef »

http://www.delicaclub.com/downloads.php?cat=6

Adjusting The Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) ADJUSTING_THE_TPS.pdf 965.64 kb
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Re: Possible Tranny Trouble - Shifting Issues

Post by CREGAN »

jfarsang wrote:http://www.delicaclub.com/downloads.php?cat=6

Adjusting The Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) ADJUSTING_THE_TPS.pdf 965.64 kb

That's the one! Damn your fast. I will give it a go and get back to you cats.

Craig
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Re: Possible Tranny Trouble - Shifting Issues

Post by davidwwc »

http://www.delicaclub.com/downloads.php?cat=6

Please try using the search engine. Type in TPS Adjusting. You will fiind a good post from Jfarsang with the web site as above link. From there you can go to the Tps adjusting & download it both the information and step by step picture.

Hope this help,
DC
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Re: Possible Tranny Trouble - Shifting Issues

Post by CREGAN »

When I stick the probe into the blue-red wire and the neg is attached it read 4.92 on the DCV setting. Am I using the right setting on my meter? 4.92 is way off from the 0.78 it is supposed to be.

Edit - OK i just read a post by tondca about adjusting his TPS and he noted that the wires are slightly different then the Aussie site. The blue Yellow wire is the one to go for and it is set at 0.65 Is that too low? He went to 0.8 and said it made a huge difference. What to do... Where is that speed we talked about earlier 8-)

Craig
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Re: Possible Tranny Trouble - Shifting Issues

Post by jessef »

set it to .78 - .8 You'll notice the difference.
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Re: Possible Tranny Trouble - Shifting Issues

Post by CREGAN »

Man I can not tell you guys how f-ing awesome you all are. That things purrs better than the first day I got it!! I have it set to 0.79 and it drives like a different machine. When I give it gas it feels like it should, not like two ferrets are fighting under the hood. I have even noticed a drop in the plume of smoke I have been puffing out. I am going to take it out for another burn after supper. Will this effect my gas milage? Glad I paid 1600 for an injector rebuild! (Note- the rebuild was probably neccessary and if I didn't do it now I would eventually) If y'all were here I would invite you over for a beer, and Jesse I would even let you have the fancy beer. It would be Ranier for the rest of us!! Anycrap, thanks again gang of Delica experts here and abroad (Shout out to the Aussies).

Craig


tonydca - you can have the fancy beer too because without your thread I would have not been able to figure it out. Thanks
Last edited by CREGAN on Fri Sep 02, 2011 9:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Possible Tranny Trouble - Shifting Issues

Post by jessef »

Just relaying along the good info those chaps did over the pond. They had these rigs years ahead of us. I'll take the beer regardless :-D

At least you saved yourself a cool $4k in a tranny rebuild had you taken it to a shop that said 'that's the problem right there'.
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Re: Possible Tranny Trouble - Shifting Issues

Post by jessef »

few variables
not checked because it ran great when brought in but loosened from the engine shakes (happened to our Chamonix 1 month later)
checked and adjusted but not tightened down enough and same as above
is slowly wearing down
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