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I was driving my 96 ssei and noticed that it shifted hard out of 1st gear. Does this mean that my transmission is going bad? Is there any way to save it? Also since I have had the car I have not changed the transmission fluid, because I was not sure if then owner before me ever has. Should I go ahead and change it, and if I do what kind of fluid do you recommend. Is there something I should put in it before I change it?

I would change the fluid and filter, and add some Lucas. Good ol' Dex-IV works, any brand pretty much. Then if you can add a trans oil cooler.

Is it hard to put on a trans oil cooler on my car. Where is a good place to get one, and what are trusted brands. Is there a DIY thread on putting in a trans oil coll on my car.

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search button is your friend!

You beat me to it.

You're most likely experiencing the PCS going bad in your tranny. The shift kit helps hide the PCS problem and gives you time to fix it properly or just drive it that way until the tranny takes a dump.
I'd do the shift kit first with a the obvious fluid and filter change, then the tranny cooler.

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96 Ei won't have a PCS Bing.

I'd try replacing the vacuum modulator. That's the only thing you can do short of a full rebuild with a TransGo shift kit. The 4T60E is a whole different animal.

I thought 95 was the last year for that tranny. Well sorry for the miss information.

It's hard to keep track of all of it. No worries.

So if I change the vacuum modulator, and it fixes the problem, could that have been the issue all along? Or would the transmission still just be going bad anyway? Also would you recommend to go ahead and change the fluid and filter.

Yes, yes and yes, lol. It could be a number of things. Not a bad idea to start saving up for a new trans.

Turns out it was my modulator. I will be getting the fluid changed soon.