It's no thoroughbred... (Woot! Pg. 5)

[BlackHawk99]

The transmission is VERY moody...its not slipping or anything it doesn't seem...but it does seem to be eating power somehow...it will sort of bog bog bog, and then GOOOOOO. Strange.

Our 1999 L36 used to do the EXACT same thing. That thing was a dog from a dead stop up until 2100 RPMs or so. I had threads about it at the old forum. Never could figure out what it was. It was really annoying though. I did everything to rectify it too (ignition wise). That car was in outstanding mechanical shape and it still acted up exactly as you described.

Also..and VERY evident whistling when accelerating when the engine is above 2000 RPM...can't find any obvious vacuum leaks or anything..rather odd.

Check your belt. I had a Gatorback on our 99 L36 and it would scream like a supercharger. Hated it.

...I'm not that disappointed at all with my purchase, especially with the brand new set of BF Goodrich tires it's got on it.

Throttle response is FANTASTIC. It could be the Sam's club tires, but it breaks em loose from a stop if you go anything past 1/2 throttle.

[wjcollier07]

The contradictory statement on the tires is because I'm a lot more concerned about the tires lasting (which they will, since they have a 70,000 mile expected life), over them having AWESOME traction. However..wet traction could be a dealbreaker...it's now the dry season down here..so I've yet to drive the car in rain, so I really don't know how they react...if they suck..then I won't be so pleased...but they can't be worse than the Cooper Lifeliner SLE's that came on the 93 SE when I got it...

The transmission issue is probably just due to the 4T65E being...a 4T65E. One of the small, but significant things that truly makes me love the 4T60E.

And about the gatorback...the odd thing is that if that IS to blame for the whistling...I'm curious why the 93 doesn't do it at high RPM's with its gatorback.

Brad, thanks on the vacuum tip...I'll check em all. That'd be a great easy fix if it was just vacuum.

Also..does anyone know what I should be expecting to pay for a GOOD job of repainting the hood, grille, and front bumper cover?

[olblueeyesbonne]

For the hesitation you might consider switching out the MAF sensor. Should be able to get a good used one for dirt cheap since it's an L36. Might even consider updating to a 99+ MAF and TB if the 99+ L36 doesn't have a MAF post like the 99+ L67 TB's.

[sandrock]

For the hesitation you might consider switching out the MAF sensor. Should be able to get a good used one for dirt cheap since it's an L36. Might even consider updating to a 99+ MAF and TB if the 99+ L36 doesn't have a MAF post like the 99+ L67 TB's.

...and since you are looking into tuning it through me, it would be easy enough to change the MAF curves once that's done. However, I wouldn't do anything until you find that vac leak. Once you find that and fix it, disconnect your battery and let it set. Reconnect it and drive it around so it will relearn the fuel curves as they have undoubtedly changed with a vac leak. Might also be part of the whistling you are hearing too.

[00Beast]

John, for minor bodywork and paint, I'd expet somewhere around $750, no less.

[BlackHawk99]

I put a new MAF sensor in our 99 SE and it didn't change anything. I think John might be right, might just be a trait of the 4T65E. I never could figure it out and dealt with it for 175,000 miles. Just learned to deal with it, I guess.

Do you in fact have a Gatorback belt on it?

[PRD2BDF]

My 1999 SE never did that and I beat on that transmission constantly. Only changed the tranny fluid once.

[wjcollier07]

Just a small update here...thanks for the responses guys, appreciate the input...

First and foremost...last night I was turning away from a red light to a right turn at 3AM under light throttle..the car DEEPLY stumbled, grabbed, stumbled, grabbed, jumped, and stumbled. I was like.. Oddest part is I can't tell if its the transmission doing it or the engine...usually you'd think it'd be pretty obvious...well, with no abnormal status lights, and only the jumping tach to go along with it... So I won't get too worried until I change the trans fluid here soon (might be after thanksgiving...need more monies)...but because it's usually such a common issue...I'm almost willing to bet that this is what a PCS failing feels like...a grab of the clutches, oops, pressure problem, wait, grab, etc. Also...it was about 58 degrees out, and the car wasn't yet to full operating temp...if that narrows it down any.

I'm going over to a friend's place this evening after work to throw the brakes on, after stopping at harbor freight to grab a set of allen bits to get the calipers off, and a small safety torx set to get the MAF sensor out to clean it. Should ease my mind a bit for a while, but still won't have silent braking until I get some wheel cylinders for the back squeaking I have.

Had that same GM technician take an interest in finding that vacuum leak when I mentioned the ECC not functioning correctly all the time. He told me he found a section of line just behind the passenger side strut tower that was essentially dry rotted enough to cause an issue...not to mention the few other old rubber vacuum connections around the engine bay weren't contributing to anything good....so I guess I'll get a length of 5/32" vacuum hose and re-run some lines eventually. Good to know what it is at least.

And...more good news...I won a set of '98 FSMs for $24 shipped on ebay....so soon I'll probably stop asking so many questions. Hah, I'm realizing my Series I and LN3 knowledge reaaally doesn't apply with this car...

Ooh....ELC. Should I be hearing that compressor cycle even ONCE in a while? I've yet to hear it. Butt isn't sagging, but just curious...must have some good springs or is holding perfect air for even at least a full tank of gas and about 50lbs of stuff in the back.

Mark- Yes, it does in fact have a gatorback belt on it.

Cody- I'm jealous.

Ed- Thanks...sorta what I figured...meh.

Brad- Yeah, we're definitely a far way down the road from getting around to tuning it...gotta figure out all these quirks and fix the small stuff first. But I can't wait until we get to that stage. I'm definitely going to try just cleaning this MAF for the time being and see what it gets me. Only thing to do is to eliminate all variables I guess.

[LeSabreUltra]

I hardly ever hear my ELC compressor. I might hear it sometimes when I first start the car but it's really quiet.
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[wjcollier07]

Yeah, it didn't even TRY to raise the back up when the car was jacked up in the front. Must be a fuse...or maybe the compressor is just done.

Front pads are done...brakes feel great after they got bedded in with the old rotors. Pedal feel is still a little questionable with the old wheel cylinders..but that'll soon be taken care of..and won't be a huge deal since the old shoes are still pretty meaty...

Transmission DEFINITELY is not thrilled. Was at a stop today, making a cross street turn and hit the gas to cross in front of oncoming traffic..and nearly got hit because the transmission almost entirely refused to put the torque to the wheels.

I'm definitely thinking that I can solve a good part of it with fluid and filter change along with a solid few doses of trans tune treatment. According to GM TSB 0O-07-30-002B, addressing harsh shifting, launch shudders, erratic shifts and intermittent concerns, or a P1811 or P0748 set, the cause of the condition is sediment buildup in the solenoid, causing a bind. So essentially, I'm thinking...that since a code being set automatically calls for replacement, but strange behavior requires testing...I can do some heavy concentrations of trans tune with a few different pan drops, spaced about 1000 miles apart or so...filter changes every 3 drops or so. Can't hurt I guess...between perfectly clean fluid, a new filter, and a massive cooler, it should last a little while until PCS replacement becomes required.

[repinS]

If the trans ends up puking itself, do you have recourse for that, or did you buy it as-is?

[wjcollier07]

Trans isn't gonna puke...it's only got 75k, its just the PCS. I'm not counting on the whole thing needing replacement...but yes, to answer your question, the car was purchased as is, no warranty, they owe nothing, etc...

[Jrs3800]

John... If that happens... we'll R&R it or rebuild it.. we may have to go in and replace the PCS..

[wjcollier07]

Just barely got home this evening. PCS failed almost completely. Line pressure was nil. Anything above 1200 RPMs worth of torque, the transmission refused to put it to the wheels.

I was driving down US-41 at about 40 in the right lane, decided to move to the left to get around a slowing bus, so I hit the gas to downshift, and got...shudder shudder shudder, and then instantly, a flashing SES/CEL. Luckily...I only hit two stop lights in 6 miles, so I cruised at 40ish...whenever I had to come to a stop, those two times, starting was a constant shudder up to 40 mph. I finally made it to 50, and then realized that the car's limp mode wouldn't let me exceed 50. Got home, backed it in, shuddering all the way...and parked it.

I'm gonna drop the pan & change the filter still, per Don's advice, and see what's in there. Can't hurt....but if that doesn't help at all...I'm waiting until my next paycheck to throw the thing on a trailer, and take it over to Don's.

Countless people in this club have heard me declare how much I didn't want another 4T65E because of how much I hate them, on top of them already having a common PCS issue...I knew better...I knew I should have stayed with a 4T60E.

[Jrs3800]

Its ok John... I hate to see you having issues.. But after that pan drop we should know more.. If you continue to have issues.. Then bring it over here.. We will do what it takes, even if its another trans that has to go in....

[sandrock]

The -65 isn't all that bad...when things work as they should. I can throw the tuner on there and manually control everything...including the PCS. We'll get it diagnosed in no time.

[wjcollier07]

Friend will be here after work at 9 with the scanner...so we'll see what the code is..and I'm planning on dropping the pan tomorrow morning before work at around 6AM...I'm anxious to find out the verdict.

[Jrs3800]

The -65 isn't all that bad...when things work as they should. I can throw the tuner on there and manually control everything...including the PCS. We'll get it diagnosed in no time.

Yeah Brad... I am thinking either his filter is plugged, or his PCS is gone.. Would be nice to get that HP tuner on that to see what is and isn't functioning..

[wjcollier07]

This...is very interesting. Codes read, TWO set Random Multiple Misfire codes. No PCS code.

I...don't get it. So it's either got an ignition problem under load and a minor PCS issue..or..by some random occurrence... the PCM was causing the codes with the limp mode? I'm deeply confused by all of it considering its only under load...it revs and runs fine under no load...and it would be VERY strange for the engine to be causing the present feeling of the transmission slipping.

Tomorrow morning, in addition to dropping the pan on the trans, I'll be checking the resistance on the coils and the spark wires. If I see all is well there...I'll just end up replacing the ICM I guess. Jees..wouldn't that be a breath of fresh air if it was just a minor ignition problem combined with POSSIBLY needing to replace the PCS.

Oh, and there was also an old stored code for the MAP sensor voltage high or low/out of range. No current code for it, and it looks somewhat new under the hood...so..I guess that's taken care of.

[wjcollier07]

Haha. Wow..this..is something to laugh at indeed.

I didn't need plugs after all more than likely.

I just went out and quickly measured the secondaries and got infinity on all but the bottom 1-4 coil which gave me 6.13k ohm. So..I'm guessing that one was dead all along...and the other one finally died today...and the last one is the next to go. Well...coils...we can do coils. I'm sure the primaries are still reading somewhat in spec to even have the engine run, but it definitely doesn't like a load...

I'd say two dead coils would cause a flashing SES/CEL wouldn't you?