J30 Automatic Trans will not go into 1st

[abypilot]

I just replaced my J30 trans with a used one with 51000 miles fr Eng & Trans world. My previous trans was very burned up. Converter seems to be working fine on this one, but acts as though I am in at least 2nd or third starting out in stead of 1st. I can put the pedal to the floor and will not be very responsive until I am well on past 40 or so. Slow creep up to 40-45. Does fine on the highway over 50-60. Park, reverse, neutral all seem ok. Any takers on what could be wrong??

[yodawill2000]

Transmission Self Diagnostics
Courtsey of Gerardjg

Transmission Self Diagnostics
using AT light below your temperature gauge on the dash
1-Warm up engine
2- Shut off car and turn ignition switch to ACC position
3-Wait 5 seconds
4-Move shifter to D
5-Turn ignition switch on do not start

AT check light should come on for about 2 seconds

6-Move shifter to 3
7- step on gas fully and release
8-Move shifter to 2
9-Move shifter to 1
10-step on gas fully and release

The At Check light should start flashing 11 flashes a
slight pause and start over again. All flashes should
be the same length, any flash that is longer indicates a
trouble the following list is what the trouble circuit or part is.

A longer flash indicates

1st Flash Revolution sensor
2nd flash Speed sensor
3rd flash Throttle position sensor
4th Shift solenoid valve a
5th Shift solenoid valve b
6th overrun clutch solenoid
7th tourqe converter clutch solenoid
8th fluid temp sensor
9th engine speed signal
10th turbine revolution sensor
11th pressure solenoid valve

[abypilot]

Thanks, that's a good place to start I suppose?? I'm a corporate pilot away on a trip right now and will not be able to try the test as listed until this Friday when I return. Have you ever heard of this particular problem??

[driverdriver]

The most common issue on the J30 transmission that i fixable without a rebuild is the revolution sensor.

I would do the test and see what's wrong.

I don't think its your revolution sensor.

[abypilot]

Hopefully I will not have to pull the transmission back out. It has a 90 warranty but what a pain to have to pull that baby back out. I'll check the codes Friday and get back to the forum to let everyone know what I found. See you Friday.

[texml69]

Hopefully I will not have to pull the transmission back out. It has a 90 warranty but what a pain to have to pull that baby back out. I'll check the codes Friday and get back to the forum to let everyone know what I found. See you Friday.

i feel your pain i have gotten 2 "good" trannys that were anything but good in the last month im now on my 3rd transmission install my first one was doing sort of the samt thing yours is but only mine had no reverse so keep us posted on the results

[J30_Kidd]

I'm no expert or anything but sounds like it would be a solenoid not working correctly. I'm sure first to second is controlled by one of these. I've noticed when i had my trans out that it only had 6 selections (P R N D 3 2) instead of 7 (P R N D 3 2 1) as i had moved through the gears. On the console when you shift from second to 1st i believe there must be a switch in there to engage 1st with a solenoid. But i'm not that knowledgeable on this auto trans stuff but thought i would through some ideas in for ya :-)

[SteveTheTech]

Mine does the same thing about 60% of the time. My car is perfect over 2k and is only effected about 65% of the time. I am almost leaning more toward a lagging Mass Airflow Sensor at this point. I have replaced the inhibitor switch and driven with the Consult attached to the car for an hour (and it drover perfectly). Bogging under load could have damaged your older transmission. I plan on swapping out my MAF I'll let you know how that goes.