Transmission shifting issue

[natures child]

I have a '99 QX4 with 128K miles on it. Bought it a few weeks ago and it drove fine when I test drove it. However, I'm starting to notice that the transmission is sometimes slow to shift out of first and/or second gear.

It will rev really high (3-4000 rpms or more) before shifting - usually I have to let off the gas to allow it to shift. This was doing the trick at first, but now sometimes even when I let off the gas it doesn't want to shift. The problem usually only occurs when I first start driving the car. After I've been driving for a while it seems to go away. The transmission doesn't seem like its slipping, and when I'm on the freeway it drives fine.

Also, when I started it in my driveway a few days ago, I shifted it into Reverse and heard it make some type of a whining noise (lasted about 1 and half seconds) after I shifted. I shifted back to park, it made the same noise. Back to reverse, then drive, and it made the noise each time. I gave it plenty of time to shift before I gave it any gas and started driving. It only made this sound in my driveway that one time, and hasn't done so since.

Does anybody have an idea on how to fix this? I've heard that adding a Lucas product may cure the problem, is there truth behind this? Is there a part inside the transmission that needs to be replaced? Or does this transmission need a complete rebuild/replacement??

I did check the transmission fluid when I bought the QX4 and it looks good, red/pink in color. Please help!

[Buzzman]

Don't know about the transmission, but having noticed you only just bought this truck, are you familiar with the 100K timing belt replacement interval?
Do you know if it has been replaced or not?
If not, I'd get it done ASAP.

[natures child]

The owner told me that the timing belt was already replaced, I inspected it and it looked good (no strips falling off of it or anything like that, no squeaks when it's running).

Any help on the transmission would be greatly appreciated!

[MyaLover]

I think I'm experiencing the exact same thing. I just bought a '97 QX4 with 120K and I noticed today that my RPMs were right at 3K when i was doing 70 mph. The engine doesn't sound terribly stressed, but all of the sudden the RPMs dropped to just over 2.5K at the same mph (with similar load). I tested the Overdrive by switching it off and my RPMs immediately jumped up (so it seemed that the OD was functioning correctly). This didn't seem to improve as the vehicle completely warmed up (it went back and forth between RPMs on a 20 mile trip at 70 mph).

I also noticed the RPMs would stay near 3K when I was doing 60 mph as well, but then drop below 2.5K randomly. Shifting seems smooth but I take it pretty easy when I accelerate. This was all while in 2WD

Lastly, I believe I've heard what you're describing as a whine as well. It sounds like something electrical/mechanical moving, but I didn't notice it happening when I went from Reverse to Drive.

How's the weather there? It's been extremely cold here and I'm somewhat hoping that might have something to do with it. I'm planning on doing a transmission flush when it warms up a bit.

[natures child]

I'm in San Diego, so I don't think temperature has anything to do with the issue. It's been between 60 and 80 degrees, 55 if it gets really cold. The thing that gets me most is that the shifting issue goes away once the car has been driven for about a mile.

The noise I heard coming from the shifter/transmission sounded just like you said - it sounds like something electrical/mechanical moving.

Hopefully somebody will come along soon with some helpful tips on the late shifting issue.

[Towncivilian]

Have you checked the fluid level and condition of the transmission fluid?

Grease the driveshafts, some members have reported odd noises when the slip yoke was dry. If the differential(s) haven't been serviced in over 60k miles either, I'd change the fluid in both.

[MyaLover]

Natures Child, have you found an approximate time frame (warmup) before everything starts working as it should? Are you getting any error codes? Today I noticed that as soon as things warmed up (10 minutes of driving) everything functioned perfect. This hadn't been the case in the last few days. However, in the last few days it's been extremely cold here (Between 0F and -26F) and I have a feeling that even with a 20 minute drive, the fluid wasn't getting warmed up to the correct temp. Today we hit 20F and things worked great.

For anyone else out there with an idea, if a previous owner had used a heavier/thicker ATF than recommended (Is there even such a thing?), is it possible that this may be causing the issue? And then one it's warmed/thinned enough to hit every nook and cranny of where it's suppose to be, things work perfect.

My fluid levels looked good and the fluid looked pristine despite the fact there's no records indicating the fluid was ever changed.

[Towncivilian]

There shouldn't be "too thick" of an ATF that you could put in unless it's something completely wrong like Type F or engine oil. DexIII fluids shear quite quickly to DexVI levels; DexVI fluids start out at around the same viscosity that DexIII fluids shear to, and DexVI fluids are significantly more shear stable so there should be no problem running a DexVI spec'd fluid in our transmissions.

The fluid may look fine on the dipstick, but once you drain it, you may notice a significant color or smell change. I would begin with a drain & fill; I'd recommend Valvoline MaxLife ATF.

[MyaLover]

I think that's exactly what I'm going to do once it warms up. Seems like a pretty easy task and fairly inexpensive.

[natures child]

Natures Child, have you found an approximate time frame (warmup) before everything starts working as it should? Are you getting any error codes? Today I noticed that as soon as things warmed up (10 minutes of driving) everything functioned perfect. This hadn't been the case in the last few days. However, in the last few days it's been extremely cold here (Between 0F and -26F) and I have a feeling that even with a 20 minute drive, the fluid wasn't getting warmed up to the correct temp. Today we hit 20F and things worked great.

For anyone else out there with an idea, if a previous owner had used a heavier/thicker ATF than recommended (Is there even such a thing?), is it possible that this may be causing the issue? And then one it's warmed/thinned enough to hit every nook and cranny of where it's suppose to be, things work perfect.

My fluid levels looked good and the fluid looked pristine despite the fact there's no records indicating the fluid was ever changed.

Typically after 2 minutes of driving the problem is gone. But when its there, it is definitely there. Like it doesn't want to shift out of first gear until 4000 rpms or more. Sometimes even when I let off the gas it still won't shift.

By the time I've driven about a mile the problem gets significantly less drastic. After 10 minutes of driving the problem has gone away.

I might try changing the fluid as well. Would it be a good idea/worth it to throw some Lucas transmission fluid in there with the normal fluid??

[Towncivilian]

I might try changing the fluid as well. Would it be a good idea/worth it to throw some Lucas transmission fluid in there with the normal fluid??

No. No additives are necessary with modern fluids.

[Leo1998]

I don't know but i think i read somewhere that there is a part on the Transmission that doesn't throw a code but is a cheap part that you just replace. I will see if i can find the article.

[Leo1998]

ok this is what it's called and it does produce a code "Transmission Valve Body" or "trans valve assem" maybe check into that. Also the articles were saying to reset your computer. Un-hook the positive battery cable, step on the brake to drain any residual power left, hook back up and let it do it's reset...Just a thought and cheap to try. Maybe read this too: 97-qx4-hard-shift-1st-to-2nd-rpm-s-jump-t522120.html

[MyaLover]

Typically after 2 minutes of driving the problem is gone. But when its there, it is definitely there. Like it doesn't want to shift out of first gear until 4000 rpms or more. Sometimes even when I let off the gas it still won't shift.

By the time I've driven about a mile the problem gets significantly less drastic. After 10 minutes of driving the problem has gone away.

Your issue sounds much more severe than mine. When things are not warmed up, have you tried manually shifting from 1 to 2 and then to D?

[hotdawwgman]

This is what I notice when the car is cold... I have to go 2 miles before the pathy shifts into overdrive.... I literally get on the freeway cruising at 70-75 and it is revving at 3200 rpm's. By the time I pass the 2 mile mark, or when it is almost at operating temp... It shifts into overdrive... I have done a full Trans fluid swap... Not sure what it could be!