I've about reached the end of the line in pursuing engine misses as the cause of the shudder problem (see prev posts on Herky Jerky). Things done in this regard include:
Plugs & wires replaced Compression check Fuel pressure regulator replaced Fuel filter replaced Coil packs replaced (originals later reinstalled) Mass air flow sensor Coolant temperature sensor Throttle position sensor EGR valve voltages checked EGR valve moves freely over range No scan codes, pending or otherwise
Yet, at freeway speeds and sometimes even on surface streets at 30-40 mph the car on occasion gives me the shudder, which I've dubbed the Herky Jerky. Since tapping the brake while it's doing it makes it stop I know the TCC is involved, and I've now come back (again) to thinking the TCC is the cause rather than just responding to engine misses.
Yesterday I logged onto AllData and looked up the TCC. First, I found an information bulletin saying there had been a change in the solenoid control. If I understand it correctly, a separate solenoid called the PWM solenoid was introduced, and furthermore if the wrong solenoid was used the shudder would result. I then looked up the repair info on replacing these solenoids. What I learned was they are located behind a side cover plate that is bolted to the left side of the transaxle assembly. AllData says it's a 3.1 hour job to replace the solenoids.
The question is now whether to have this work done ore not. We are in the process of buying a new car since my wife has totally lost confidence in the PA. I would like to sell it rather than take a beating in a trade-in, but cannot bring myself to pass off a car with a problem like this to an unsuspecting individual. That means I should have it fixed, since the $300-400 (guessing) would still net more from a sale than on a trade .
But here's another problem. Several months ago the car started to spot the garage floor with tranny fluid. I took it to a shop and they tightened the side plate (presumably the one I now know to hide the TCC solenoids). This stopped the leak. However, from the AllData diagrams I now know that there shouldn't be any fluid behind that cover to leak! I now assume it's the front seal that is leaking, and the cavity behind the side cover is probably now full of tranny fluid. If so, that's probably why the TCC solenoids are failing. I haven't gone back to the tranny shop yet to quiz them on this theory, but my guess is when I do they will tell me I'm right and the tranny will have to come out to fix the seal, and suddenly it's a $1200 job instead of $300-400. That would probably tip me in favor of letting a dealer steal it from me on a trade-in.
So, are there any tranny aficionados listening in that can confirm or deny any of this?
TIA
Ed