Well, car ran perfect (famous last words), then "service engine soon" light came on last Fri (still ran great), found to be faulty a.i.r. pump. Allowed garage to fix ($600). Car runs ok after that but wife mentions higher idle than normal. Flash forward to yesterday, she calls and says "somethings wrong with the "Z". As I test drove it, I noticed that it's starting out in 2nd gear! Even pulling the shifter back will not put it in first (as it always did). Hoping that it's a "computer glitch" or loose connection. Any takers?? Happy for any help. Obviously I'm hoping this isn't tranny rebuild time again, as I just had that done 2yrs ago!! Anyway, performance, of coarse is dismal to say the least. Thanks.

Norm

 

You need to have it scanned to look for transmission codes. They don't normally light the SES.

$600 for the AIR pump fix. You probably could have gotten most of what you need for near free on the part board here (as many people as there are that have removed the AIR system). Plus, if the car was involved in the old AIR pump recall, the dealer would have repaired it at no charge.

 

Ok, I'll have it scanned. Wife just admitted that the $600 also included oil change and winshield washer pump replace... But FREE sure sounds better!! I'm REALLY hoping the tranny didn't fry itself overnight!! Thanks again.

Norm

 

Well, took it out for another test drive, as the garage can't look at it till Monday. Noticed that if I put it in "drive", it starts out in Third, and if I put it in "L2" it starts out in 2nd. When I upshift from 2nd to drive, it gives a nice firm shift. I can't get into !st for love nor money, not even when pulling the shifter back.

Norm

 

I'll bet it's one of two things:
1) Shift linkage is misadjusted
2) Shift mounting plate mounted to
transmission pan is loose.

 

Yes definitely chk those 2 things; as when the air pump goes it becomes noisy and rattling and would have nothing to do w/your trans problem.Also i would be leary of that shop you went to and let them know your new problem!I took my 94Z to get a coolant change once and the damn place just about screwed up my opti(car never was the same after that)

 

Thanks, ope they check that and are honest. I just dropped the car off. I should mention again that the car does not shift automatically at all (don't know if that would eliminate linkage suspect or not). I can only start out in L2, drive or OD. I choose to start out in L2 because it slips too much in drive (3rd) and I dont want to burn it up. Than I can manually shift to drive. Also just found out (on the way to dropping it off) that there is no O.D. either...Ugh

Norm

 

I misread ... Sounds similar to issues I had ... ended up ordering a
new FLT tranny - best of luck it's something simple and inexpensive.

 

Well, just thought i'd report.... Z is back and feels normal again. They said it was a "$25" part that unfortunately takes about $300 worth of labor to fix!! It was a "shift solenoid"... they said that while they were in there, it would be wise to replace both, which they did. Anyway $309 later, all is well. Better than I was bracing myself for. thanks for your "ear" and good ol' moral support. I'll continue lurking until I can contribute something. Thanks again.

Norm