Driving home last night, I got on the freeway to notice the car was way louder than usual, I check the gauges and realize why... I'm running nigh 3K RPMS at 70 MPH... ...Pull off at the next exit - drive it down a road and get her up to 45 - 50 MPH, 2K RPMS... and I then realised it wasn't shifting into 4th gear / Overdrive.. ..I played with the shifter, put it back into Drive, it FELT like it shifted but the RPMS didn't change at all.. ...then I put it back into Overdrive and once again I felt a shift but no change in RPMS... repeated this a few times to no success... Finally I came to a redlight and turned off the car, and restarted it, put it back in OD and got her up to 45 MPH and boom, it shifts into Overdrive without a problem - 1.1K RPMS

Possible tranny synchro going out?? am I looking at a severe repair down the road?

I'm at 90K miles and the transmission has never been serviced, I'm kind of scared to have it flushed this late in the game...

 

I'm scared to death of 4L60Es.

If you felt it shift to 4th, but the RPMS didn't really change, then the lock-up on the converter is either going out or the computer ****ed up and didn't lock it up.

But......
It could be anything, especially if the tranny is stock. Could be burned bands, clutches, or even a servo.

 

I'd scan the car for any codes, even if the SES isn't illuminated. There are several possible codes for the A4 if something goes wrong.

 

On a 90K mile *stock* A4, I'd highly doubt it's in the PCM. You're probably looking at a mechanical issue in the trans. My guess is the PCM detected too much slip in the 3>4 shift and left it in 3rd or the cable connecting your gear selector to the trans is loose maybe???

FYI - 70mph in a 3.23 A4 car is:
~3040RPM in 3rd gear
~2130RPM in 4th gear

Do you know how to tell the difference between 3rd and 4th? It's tricky not to get an upshift to 4th confused with a TCC lockup in 3rd. It's all about the 'play' in the converter. When it's locked, it's like driving an M6 car...

 

I have 2.73's - I still do 70 at under 2K Rpms... but yeah I believe I know when it shifts into 4th, usually at 45 MPH for me and will hold it to speeds as low as 41 MPH or I go half throttle... before it downshifts to 3rd gear... Welp thats next on the sh*t list... New trans, Stall converter, any ideas for a new rebiult trans?

 

3600-4200 Yank or Pro-Torque converter.

Tranny rebuild by RPM Transmissions or Cahall Transmissions... Something with Redline Bands, Billet Servos, Upgraded Clutch packs, "Beast" Sunshell, etc.

Mike

 

Well, you should have someone scan it with a laptop. That's the only way to really find out for sure what's going on. Me and everyone else on here guessing will only give you ideas of what to look for....not solutions.

 

First check the fluid level. If a 4l60e isn't completely full it can shift funny into 3rd and or 4th.
Check the fluid condition and smell. If it's red and smells like new trans fluid then chances are that there's nothing wrong with the trans mechanically. If it's brown and smells burnt then start shopping for a trans and converter.

 

Could try the filter to see if it's plugging up. Or it could be a solenoid, or servo, or... Yup, these 4L60Es are a bit complex. Used to knock off a shift kit install on TH350s or 400s before lunch; on the 60E, I was poking at it for quite a while.

If you're going to get a new one, search the boards for sponsors with good reps. A lot of the guys that have them "built" by local tranny places seem to end up having problems with their "built" trannys. If mine ever has to be replaced, I'm going to go that route.

 

I see, Just out of curiousity what is the advantages of built trannies anyway?

Harder Shifts I know but will there be any less drivetrain loss?

Oh yes and I checked the fluid - It's not red, it's not brown... it's dark red - blackish...

 

Advantage is you'll know it will be done right with quality parts, clutches, bands, etc. And the cost is similar, for what would be considered a stage 1 type tranny, to what a regular rebuild would go for. Less than what some higher priced local places want for a rebuild. At least for what I've seen charged around here. You just have to deal with the hassle of shipping and popping it off yourself. But when I read on the boards about guys taking their rebuild back time after time to the shop, it seems worth it to me.

Fluid that old is going to be ugly even if nothing has failed.

 

Curious, would you recommend getting it flushed and refilled with Maxlife 75K High Mileage tranny fluid or is it too late?... Also um, I've never messed with a transmission in my life... ...let alone know how to dismount or install one... I was wondering if any of those transmission shops offered installation? I wouldn't mind making the trip there...

 

Less likely to break.... similar to anything else you build up.