transmission won't shift in snow and bad weather

[Taquina]

I bought a 2004 I35 in May 2008. While driving in cold snowy weather, car shook over 45mph. transmission wouldn't shift out of 2nd. Took to dealer and they said it didn't do it to them, but snow was gone. Drove fine home. What could this be? Also, overall sounds kinda rough. Any insight?

[MinisterofDOOM]

I'm trying to think of possible causes, but this is an odd one.

Only things I can think of are throttle position sensor or an electronic glitch somewhere that's being set off by wet weather.

[AcMav]

I can't see that causing the car to shake though, All I could see would be a bearing or the such. But that wouldn't only act up in the cold, that should be a pretty constant shake.

If it was the TPS why would it shift out of first into second but no further? It seems really oddball and two possibly unconnected problems?

Can we get some more info? Was it cold when you drove it back from the dealer? Has this ever happened before in the rain? Is there a lot of play in the front suspension normally?

Very confusing problem indeed.

[ldstang50]

The shaking could have been snow packed on the inside of the wheels.Did you feel the shaking through the steering wheel or through your seat. If through the steering wheel its your front wheels if through your seat its more than likely the rear wheels.As far as not shifting, I don't know enough about auto's but would a severe virbration throw the sensors off and put them in 'safe mode' and not allow it to shift?

[MinisterofDOOM]

Vibration should not put the trans into safe mode. Even if it did, safe mode would lock 2nd or 3rd (I forget which with the max) but not 1st...it would skip 1st entirely.

I can't see that causing the car to shake though, All I could see would be a bearing or the such. But that wouldn't only act up in the cold, that should be a pretty constant shake.

If it was the TPS why would it shift out of first into second but no further? It seems really oddball and two possibly unconnected problems?

Good points.

If it happens again, I would make your best effort to get to the nearest autozone or similar parts store. DON'T turn the car off, have them check for codes. That may shed some more light on what exactly is going on when this happens.

[ldstang50]

Like I said, I don't know autos all that well, its was a guess of a suggestion.

Could it be the car is actually in 2nd and 3rd and the OP is unaware? Just different suggestions to think about.

I doubt its wheel bearings but the easiest way to check is to jack up the front and push and pull on the wheels. If you are able to move the wheel around at all, your bearings are bad.Snow packed in the wheels will cause and in-balance and cause a vibration or shaking as you put it.