1994 AT TCU Code 1 - Help!!!

[madnorwegian]

My "little Old Lady" Q45 with 92k miles has given me the "transmission malfunction" greeting intermittently on startup lately. I have run the transmission diagnosis a few times and I generally get the "OK" message, but today I ran it just after seeing the "Transmission malfunction" message and got a code 1. Does anyone happen to have experience with this? The message has been coming on with both cold and warm engine, and it has happened about 7-8 times, but I would say I get the OK message most of the time. Fluid level is fine, fluid looks good, but I don't know the history, have only driven the car 2k miles since I bought it. Help!

[goody90q45]

Code 1 is for the transmission revolution sensor. Have you had any issues with the transmission not wanting to shift out of first gear or shifting at a high RPM? You'll need to ohm test the sensor and you might as well test the couple of other sensors in the same bundle. It's easy to do with no tools required other than a voltmeter and willingness to lay on your back under the car.

I had the transmission MALFUNCTION warning and code 1 on my 94Q for almost 4 years before the sensor gave out and the no-shift out of 1st started happening a lot. The thread I've attached will take you through my trials and tribulations.

zerothread?id=412400

The AT section of the FSM will identify each of the connectors in the bundle at the rear of the transmission that you'll want to test. Let us know what you find.

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Q45/1994_Q45/

[madnorwegian]

Thank you, that puts me at ease - somewhat. I have not noticed anything wrong in the shifts, other than the 3-4 shift being a little soft sometimes. Since it's so darn cold up here now I'll probably have to wait for a warm day to crawl under the car and run the tests, but now I don't feel too bad about driving it. I'll report back once it's warmer and I can do the tests. I was worried the transmission itself was about to go out, but there shouldn't be any reason for it to do so on a 92k mile car that has been little old lady owned and always had regular maintenance. Thanks

[goody90q45]

Our trannies like to be pampered. After what I went through with my 94Q I treat the transmission in my 90Q better than the wife sometimes.

Check the sensors when it warms up but in the meantime a transmission flush or at least drain and refill (3 1/2 qts.) with each engine oil change will keep the fluid clean and shifting smooth. If the revolution sensor starts to fail and at some point it doesn't want to shift, turning off the engine for 2 seconds will reset the TCU and you'll be good to go until the next time.