blinking hold light; running bad

[Flint]

On my wife's '04 Forenza automatic, on her way to work the car suddenly lurched after turning a corner, then she couldn't accelerate. She made it to work but it ran bad the entire time and the "hold" light on the dash was flashing. When she got to work, the car actually almost died so she shut it down and restarted. The hold light didn't come on again but it was still running bad.

I only found like one post here where anyone mentioned the "hold" light flashing and that was related to the transmission going into limp-home mode and staying in 3rd gear. This sounds more like the car tried to engine brake, and it doesn't explain the drop in RPM's.

This transmission has always seemed to shift strangely to me, like engine braking at inappropriate times and failing to downshift at others. Not like any other AT I've ever driven. A couple years ago I had the fluid flushed (and paid an exorbitant amount of money per quart), but it didn't seem to make much of a difference for long. Can the fluid be leaking and cause this problem? I have another car where the fluid would naturally leak if it sat for a while and the transmission would behave similarly until fluid could be added (and it COULD be added without having to hook up a machine).

I have a code reader at home, so assuming I can get it home without a tow, I'll check it and report back here. Anything anybody can suggest in the meanwhile will be appreciated.

[7-even]

well there was a recall on the AT years ago for the early years reno and i think forenza too. they needed to reprogram the TCM. the trans wouldnt shift right and then the car would go into limp mode. do you know if the update was ever done?

[Flint]

Originally Posted by 7-even

well there was a recall on the AT years ago for the early years reno and i think forenza too. they needed to reprogram the TCM. the trans wouldnt shift right and then the car would go into limp mode. do you know if the update was ever done?

When was the recall done? It's an '04 that my wife has had since '06. I don't recall any time I've taken it to the dealer that they mentioned doing any recall work (of course the Omaha Suzuki dealer sucks).

[7-even]

hmm i think sometime in 05? if you call a dealer they should be able to tell you if it was done. i think they just need your vin number. any codes you pull would be very helpful in figuring out what might be wrong

[Flint]

Originally Posted by 7-even

hmm i think sometime in 05? if you call a dealer they should be able to tell you if it was done. i think they just need your vin number. any codes you pull would be very helpful in figuring out what might be wrong

The codes I pulled were two different codes for "small" vacuum leak (written down at home). I've replaced the EGR valve gasket at one point, but I know it can come "loose" so I'll re-tighten and see if the code comes back. I know it's only a "small" leak, but vacuum can ultimately affect transmission as well.