Trouble with my automatic gearbox.

[escobar89]

Hi!
First, i'm from Sweden, my English is kind of bad sometimes. Hope you can live with that.
Anyway, i recently bought me a ZX300 with "broken gearbox." I have started to debug, but it's kind of a mess for me.
The car is in accordance with previous owners tuned with some "step 2". This has also resulted in a lot of question marks, which I also hope you can help me with.
The car seems to start in second gear, then it does not change till next gear until 120-130km/h at full throttle. (Something safe mode?) In addition, also the overdrive those not kick in either. 3500RPM l at 110km/h as normal shuttle run, without overdrive goes into words.
I tried to run the drawer debug mode, thus no avail. (One long flash and ten short, in rehearsals) The ECU does not give any faultcodes either, i get 5 long, and 5 short signal.
Oil is by the previous owner changed, the oil is red and clear, reportedly Dexron 3.
Got hold of the workshop manual and have now started to troubleshoot the electrical.
To begin with, so I found a plug that was disconnected and replaced with a resistor. Then I found that contact to one solenoid valve, that was not mounted, and a broken contact who was sitting on a branch that led to another valve underneath.
I do not really know where to start, I'm a novice and hope you have patience with it. Appreciate all the help I can get.
Below I have linked to images of the contact and the connection was interrupted, it would be interesting to get more information on that.
Thanks in advance.
// Andreas

http://www.ladda-upp.se/bilder/ujeahpxzxhn/
http://www.ladda-upp.se/bilder/gbopqtmhzlpyox/

[Ace2cool]

If it's shifting, I would rule out the transmission being the problem. Not sure what "step 2" thing would be, unless it's a quickchange line pressure modifier, which could cause all the issues you mentioned.

The solenoid you posted looks like the AIV solenoid, and one of the connectors would go to that. If your car is a TT, the other connector would be to the adjustable suspension, which looks like has been removed. It won't cause your issue, though. Usually a hard shift and no overdrive is indicative of a throttle position sensor being unplugged or grossly out of adjustment, though. I'd check to make sure there's .45V +-.05V at the TPS.

http://www.300zx-twinturbo.com/cgi-bin/ ... &total=190

[escobar89]

Thanks for good and fast respons!
What i meant with "step 2", is that the car is tuned, at previous owner for 380hp. the "step" is just stages of how much you have modified. However there is a external oilcooler for the gearbox mounted on the radiator, maybe this can make some kind of issue to the gearbox?
I will check the TPS asap.
Thank you!

[Ace2cool]

Oh, I see. Stage 2 just means it's tuned. I don't buy into "staged" tuning, because the names are arbitrary. I just list my power and mods. Way more definitive.

So the fact that it's tuned for 380hp, I'm assuming it's a TT. If that's the case, the turbos have an oil cooler on the radiator, but for the engine oil. If there is also an external trans cooler (not common for an Auto), that's not a bad thing.

[escobar89]

Yeah, you have right. In sweden we like to do things a bit more complicate
Yes it's a TT. I will take a picture of the cooler and upload it here, i'm quite sure it's not set there on the original car.

[Ace2cool]

Cool, and it's not just a Sweden thing. People here do the "stage" thing, but I just don't buy into it.

[escobar89]

So,
I have been troubleshooting the TPS now, first it gave me 0.16-3.65 voltage, then we adjusted the TPS and got 0.41-3.91 voltage. The car seems to run a bit smoother, but the gearbox is still as it was before. Any further tips for solution?
Thank you for your respons, it is very nice to get this good information.
regards!
//Andreas

[Ace2cool]

It's tough that the ECU and TCU aren't giving you anything. Usually when the trans does that, it's a disconnected *something* somewhere, and will give a code. And it's not like you can easily just swap a trans for troubleshooting. Sounds like low line pressure to me though. Short of DLing and interfacing with Consult, I can't really think of much else. I'd almost suspect a blown torque converter though.

[Ace2cool]

Seems I've forgotten as much about these cars as I know, lol. I was out of the game for a while.

auto-transmission-t523797.html#p5984823

See if your connector isn't on backwards.

[escobar89]

There is no way the connector could fit at any directions than it is right now, or am i wrong?
Guess that the gearbox is broken inside tough. Have been troubleshooting and looking for issues for two days now, with no result at all.
I may have found a used gerabox, just not sure if i have enough knowledge to replace the gearbox however. Is it a major project, to change it? I have swapped some gearbox before, only on FWD tough.

[Ace2cool]

In my opinion, RWD is easier, but that's what I've always done. Drop exhaust, unbolt driveshaft, unbolt trans, and slide it back. Replace your pilot bearing while you're in there.

[escobar89]

Sounds like it will be easy. I have spoked with some friends, and they agree with you, RWD is much more easier than FWD, mostly...
Is it possible to swap the gearbox in a day for a playman like me? I've got the tools and i can get the car to a lift. I'm not new for doing some mechanical job. But this is a total different and new car for me tough.
Before i swap the gearbox i may fill up with some extra oil, just in case the oilcooler didn't was included when the last owner did the oil change.

//Andreas

[Ace2cool]

If you're gonna have some help, definitely. If not, then maybe two days, but still doable.

[escobar89]

Tested to add some extra oil for the gearbox, no result, guess the gearbox is broken after all.
Got a price for about 250 USD for a used but working gearbox, guess that is a good price?
I will do the swap for the comming weekend.
Any else tips, what i should think about? Or some things i may have in mind before or after the install?
Thank you, for this good respons i owe you
Sirencly.
Andreas

[Ace2cool]

If I'm going that far in, I'm gonna consider doing the torque converter as well. That could even cause your problem in and of itself. Also, be sure to properly torque your TC and flex plate.

250 isn't bad for a known good auto. Especially if they'll guarantee it.

[escobar89]

Great!
I get the gearbox, the torque converter and also the flywheel with the price.
Do you know the torque for the gearbox and everything around? Couldn't find any about that in the manual.
regards.
Andreas

[escobar89]

What kind of oil do you recomend for the gearbox?
Seems like people got a lot of alternatives here. Dexron III, semisyntethic, may that work?
http://www.biltema.se/sv/Bilvard/Olja-o ... lja-36979/
The site is written on Swedish, but i think you may understand what kind of oil it specifies.
Regards.
Andreas

[Ace2cool]

I personally use the Nissan oil. Dexron isn't really the best for it. Redline also makes a good fluid. See here: http://www.ttzd.com/tech/fluidchangetech.html

And I'll look and see if I can find the specs on that.

[Ace2cool]

Looks like 61-69 lb/ft

[escobar89]

Tooked the car to the workshop today, and started the project. Started good, three out of three of the bolts on one of the downpipe went of. Did not manage to get out of the rest , so guess I have to drill new holes.
Anyway, how about those top bolts to the gearbox ? Will i access them from above , perhaps?
Thanks for the specs for the gerabox!

//Andreas

[Ace2cool]

You can unbolt the mount and DS, and let the trans sag just a bit. put the bottom bolts back in for this step, for obvious reasons.

[escobar89]

The gearbox is swapped. And guess what! It's working
Thanks a lot for your help Ace2cool!

[Ace2cool]

Awesome to hear! How do you like it now that it's running correctly?