Surge when shifting from 2nd/3rd

[2fs2ns]

'99 Eddie Bauer with 6cyl, automatic transmission, 195k miles. The transmission's never been serviced that I know of.

Starting from a stop it shifts from 1st to second just fine, but when it goes from 2nd to 3rd it feels like it almost downshifts for a second then goes into 3rd. If you're on the gas pedal it lurches pretty good. If you're just easing up on the gas you can feel it a little and see the tach jump for second.

The problem pretty much goes away after it's been driven for 20-30 minutes.

Had it in the shop for some other work and they told me the fluid was a little brown, but not bad.

Just bad tranny fluid hopefullly? Signs of future tranny problems?

Thanks!

 

[cjones101812]

dark red fluid is ok, brown is not.

change the fluid (flush) and filter.

if problem persist, let us know and we'll continue diagnosis.

 

[2fs2ns]

From what I'm reading on the forum, it'd be best to change the filter, have it flushed, then change the filter again?

I'm trying to tune it up to get it into good condition to sell it...

 

[xdviper]

Hmm... Last time I checked my transmission fuild from the dipstick it was brown... The engine was cold and then I drove for 10min and checked again it was still brown... Should change mine also? My trans been acting up again lately. Plus I get this same thing with my Astro sometimes, its not noticeable but I can sometimes feel it...

Ps: i don't want to hijack the thread but when shifting from R to D or D to R, I hear this loud **THUMP** sound... thats not a good sound is it?

 

[kert0307]

Since your truck is high mileage and has probably never been flushed, i wouldn't do a flush from a lube place. It will more than likely dislodge something and clog up a port somewhere.

Drop the pan, change the filter. Fill it up with new tranny fluid. This will change around half of the fluid, but won't be as aggressive as the pressure flushed tranny flushes at lube places.

It will probably also be a good idea to add an Aux tranny filter to it ($30)after you do this to catch anything the new fluid will break loose. If you want to do a flush at this point, do one yourself following the directions on this site. I think it was Aldive that wrote it up if you search for it.

 

[cjones101812]

Ps: i don't want to hijack the thread but when shifting from R to D or D to R, I hear this loud **THUMP** sound... thats not a good sound is it?

check u-joints

 

[daffy]

Starting from a stop it shifts from 1st to second just fine, but when it goes from 2nd to 3rd it feels like it almost downshifts for a second then goes into 3rd.

Look for threads with 2-3 shift flare in them. Fairly common problem.

Also, you may want to move this post to the transmission section.

 

[TheVarmit]

Like Daffy said, it's the 2 -3 flare problem. It's common. I had my 96 Xs transmission flushed, new filter, whole nine yards, when this started happening with mine. It didn't make any difference, better or worse. There's some good threads about this problem, take your time and search for them.