Automatic Transmission problem

[1991S13]

1991 240sx SE Coupe

For the past 6 months or so, it has been jerking into 2nd gear.

This morning I drove to town, and at first the car would not shift out of first gear. I moved the shifter from Drive to 2 and it went into 2nd, and everything was fine.

Now, when I first start it up it will go into reverse so I can back out of my space, I put it in drive and it goes up the driveway and onto the road, but then it doesn't shift into 2nd. I came to a complete stop and put it in reverse, and it slowly creeped backward (even when I gave it gas). I tried to go from reverse to Drive again, but it won't go into gear at all anymore. I shut it off for about 5 minutes, and when I started it back up I put it in reverse and backed up to my house. In the driveway I tried to put it in drive, but it won't go into gear. I let it set for a couple minutes then start it up and it will go into reverse, but when I try to go forward it won't move.

I checked the transmission fluid, and it is right where it should be. I talked to my grandfather about it and he said it could be the torque converter?

In a nut shell, my problem is the car will go into reverse once, but after I leave that gear it wont move.

Thanks for any help.

[1991S13]

I forgot to add:When the car actually does go into gear, it makes a whining noise (kind of sounds like the whine the power steering makes when you cut the wheel all the way).

[s13sr20chris]

try unplugging all the connectors at the transmission to put her in failsafe. then you should have reverse and 3rd gear. this is prob not a torque converter issue. more likely a valve body issue but i want to eliminate the tcm.

[CDE]

MIne was doing something similar.

Right now it is just shifts hard into 2nd. Hard enough to jerk my head, especially if the car is cold. Also, when I am accelerating onto the highway, it seems like when shifting it lags a little (the shift itself).

Would that be a torque converter problem, or is it me just being paraniod?

I have an '89 240 coupe, KA24E

[s13sr20chris]

in your case i would start by checking fluid level and pressures. you really only need to know the mainline pressure.

[1991S13]

Thanks for the suggestions, but I have had enough with driving an automatic and have seen post after post about swapping it out for a manual on this board. I found all the parts necessary for a swap for $600, and bought new master/slave cylinders, clutch, flywheel, and short shifter. Next weekend, she'll be reborn, and I cant wait

[s13sr20chris]

oh good! thats the right way to fix an auto!good luck, i have been there myself.

[CDE]

ARGH, I forgot to login and my post was lost in cyber-space!

Here's sorta what I posted...

I have a 89 ka24e coupe with 112 miles...

I am getting my transmission checked out tomorrow. This will tell me what is messed. I am thinking the transmission is pretty scroo'ed judging by the symptoms (shaking, slipping, loss of power at high rpm). If it is very costly to fix my current auto trans, I'm thinking I will swap it for a 5spd. I just had a few questions though...

When switching a ka24e transmission, this is so far what I think i need:trannyclutch + pedalsflywheelmaster/slave cyl.

and my questions are:will only 89-91 kae transmission's fit, or can I get newer years? also, does the kade trans fit ok with the kae setup? Is there anything else I need other than what's on my list - ie anything electrical? I just would like to know this info so I can price it all out to see if it's worth while to replacec, rather than fix my auto.

And also, will this affect my speedo? I've heard of some issues with transmission swaps and the speed sensor being messed up because of it.

Please email: [email protected] or just post here and that would help me out a ton!

[s13sr20chris]

i believe you are in need of a 89-90 ka24e trans. +pedalmaster cylslave cyllineshifterclutchdriveshaft

[CDE]

Thanks. That's what I thought it was, but I have had a new development...I talked to a friend who has tons of mechanic experience (also used to be a professional mech), and he said it is probrably a worn out spring. A SPRING! - that causes the harsh shift from first to second. I'm going to get more info, and he's going to help me to see if he's right. as for the shimmy, that is most likley a mount issue.

geez, I was hoping it was totally messed so I could have a very good reason to replace for a 5 spd...

[s13sr20chris]

heh, sometimes a spring can be very difficult/expensive to get to.

[CDE]

heh, sometimes a spring can be very difficult/expensive to get to.

w0rd. I can live with a rough shift...Just so long as the transmission stays in 1 peice, I'm happy.

I had my car in today for a few hours. I finally have dash lights, and the shimmy is seemingly fixed...although they didn't do anything. They just removed the driveshaft and put it back on. They were looking at the U-joints. They are STUPID U-joints on the 240. They way they are, it would cost 960 bux to replace because they are goofy. BUT, they just put it back together and shimmy is gone *knock on wood*. All I have left to do is the stupid speedo...