I recently washed my engine compartment down(Iknow mistake) then proceded to the local mall about 5 miles down the road. Had lunch and started the car and noticed the car would not shift into 3rd gear. I parked the car and tried to restart it, but it would not start. A few hours later the car starts but idles about 1200 RPM and still won't shift into 3rd. My car has 97,000 miles and is stock except for a K&N air filter, new wires, new water pump, new spark plugs, and new battery. I am guessing at this point I have damaged a sensor, my car had no problems shifting or slipping before I washed the engine compartment. Any ideas would be appreciated?

 

What happens when it goes to shift to 3rd? Does it just stay in 2nd for as long as you keep driving?? Or does it shift but the engine revs up and you don't accelerate?

 

My car does not shift into 3rd. Car keeps excellerating, but when I come to a stop sign you can feel the car down sift into first gear. I have been reading posts trying to get a clue of what might cause this? The high idle is getting me to suspect something like the TPS? I did not have a high idle prior to the engine wash. Thanks.

 

It's not real likely it's electrical. Both shift solenoids "Off" is 3rd gear in a 4L60E.

Could this be coincidence? 3-4 clutch failure is pretty common in stock 4L60E's. It sounds like wjhat has happened to yours.

Pull your dipstick out and see what condition your fluid is in. Is it black? Does it smell burnt?

Frank
CPT

 

While both shift solenoids are off in third....thus giving you third ....and you are making the statement that your car keeps accelerating and not achiving third, but you feel a down shift into first ..... I'd look at the electronics and like you; I'd look at tps/vss area...cause if the puter called for a shift to third I'd think the car would stop accelerating and slip through third if it were the clutchs.. Jus my two cents for whatever its worth...Hope this helps Dave

 

After months of sitting in my garage I finally run down to the dealership and purchase a TPS sensor. Five minutes later my car is running like normal. It even shifts better? Oh well, you live and learn.