2003 Impala Transmission - Transmission Problems


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2003 Impala Transmission

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Auto Repair Home>> Automotive Repair>> Transmission Problems

racer78
New User

Aug 25, 2006, 6:42 PM

Post #1 of 3 (8376 views)

2003 Impala Transmission	Sign In

I have a 2003 Impala with a 3.8L V-6 Automatic. Recently it seems to shift late shifting up. Engine revs to 4,200 rpm or so. It also downshifts frequently climbing hills. Only two possible causes I can think of:

Had trans fluid flushed at instant oil change place 3K miles ago. Wrong fluid?

Pulled a fuse while troubleshooting instrument panel lighting problem. Reset shift points inadvertently?

Any help would be welcome.

Thanks,

racer78

Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 26, 2006, 3:36 PM

Post #2 of 3 (8362 views)

Re: 2003 Impala Transmission	Sign In

Probably not the fluid. How much time did it take for this to happen after the trans service? If right away look for a disconnected wire near where you fill it.

Certainly check the fluid level.

I'm NOT in favor of fast transmission oil changes as the gasket(s) should be retourqued after a warm up so instead a lot of places will just gook it up with stuff that you don't want in the trans but should be filtered out.

Auto transmissions shift on three basics. Now converted to electical signals but the pricipal remains.

Load on the engine by manifold vacuum

Throttle position

AND a govenor that is mechanical that will force an upshift at a certain rpm to keep you from blowing up the engine.

Still not good to let it rev to 4200 without a load. Talk to the place the changed the fluid about this, T

racer78
New User

Aug 27, 2006, 4:58 AM

Post #3 of 3 (8361 views)

Re: 2003 Impala Transmission	Sign In

Tom,

Thanks for your reply. I have regular mechanic who has a transmission shop. If I do not find a loose wire, I will go to him. I did not notice the problem for about 2,500 miles but I may not have had the specific problem pop up. It does not seem to happen all the time. Fluid level is good. That was the first thing I checked.

More symptoms:

If I am gentle with the accelerator, I can slowly accelerate without the shifting problem. I first noticed it with the cruise control on, on a steep hill. Cruise control gassed it, trans. downshifted and I heard / saw the revs shoot up and it did not upshift properly. With cruise off, I can make it shift by lifting off the gas pedal a bit and squeezing the gas back on slowly.

When they did the flush, they did not drop the pan so I don't think there are any gasket issues. They had some kind of machine that sucked the old fluid out. I suppose they could have stirred up something that is now in a control valve or something like that.

I don't let the engine rev that high anymore, I kick it out of cruise and use my foot.

Thanks Again,

r78

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