'97 sidekick auto problem

[leftlaneguy]

I did a search, and came back empty-

My '97 (186k miles) with auto will not shift into 1st (drive). It will move-out under *2* and once moving, will operate in drive. When I stop, I must shift into *2* to get moving again. Also, it will go into 1st if I drop the selector into low. Fluid is full, and clean.

Simple fix? or major issue?

[jtgh]

is this a 4sp or a 3sp.?

[jtgh]

say again, exactly what happens in DRIVE.?

does it move. ( i think you mean it move off in 2nd gear (in D) perfectly for that gear ,no slipping)
does it start in 1st gear, 2nd. , slip or flare?

slip = rpms rise too high but you do move in proper gear, (gross slush pump effect)
flare.= rmp rise and no movement of car. whingggggggggggggggg

Slush pump diagnosis

[jtgh]

at 186k
a power flush, (1st?) clean bottom screen or filter as is the case)
adjust linkage to spec.
check that vac, modulator is not bad leaking or stuck.
check that kickdown is not stuck (cable or the rod in the tranny that does the work)

keep in mind that the hydraluic, main feed controls passes through the above devices serially, so if any are bad the output of this control will be bad.

the FSM has a nice drawing of that.

one of those serial devices. is the Governor. and this one modulates based on tail shaft RPM.

What you have , depends on what tranny you have and you need to state that.

the 4sp has a TRANNY Puter. TCM that shifts the car based on many inputs.

it is a major diff. between 3sp and 4sp. Night and day.

so what you got.

[jtgh]

Ack's FAQ: Your 4X4 Portal To All Things Suzuki/Geo


see tranny sections for 96, same trannies.

[leftlaneguy]

Thanks for the replies.
It's a 4-speed (3 + od)

What it does:

From park to drive: Nothing. It *feels* like it goes into gear, but will not move. Tach the motor up, no movement. Shift into *2* it then shifts, and will move, albeit slowly, and operate fine. Once the vehicle is in motion, I can shift back to *drive* and it will operate normally. Shifting into higher gears, etc. Even downshifts okay, until you drop to almost stop. Then seems to 'go free'... To get moving again, I have to shift back to *2*.

From a standstill, I can shift down to *1* and it will pull. A shift to *2* in this situation illicits a 'neutral'-like response, unless you back-off throttle, then it 'catches' in 2nd, and will operate normally again.

Can codes be pulled from the TCM? This has gotten me irate enough that I'm considering just parting out this thing, as a new trans is over $1500.

Again, thanks for the advice.

[leftlaneguy]

Per your 'kik-fix' references, I've just now looked under the dash, and was going to pull the trouble code: Problem is, the diagnostic ports don't match the diagrams. There is one black port screwed to the kick-panel, next to the fusebox. No others visible.

I don't know if this is important, but it is a 4 door sidekick sport. OD + power switch.

If I unplug the TCM, what will it do? ie: manual shift test? As it is, right now, I can shift to *L* and it will pull out great, it will also pull in *2*, just not in low gear. In *D* it will *slightly* seem to want to creep, but will not roll.

Thanks again!

[jtgh]

yours is 97 and after 96+ they have diff connectors ,
great story of op's, very good !
on yours the CEL will come on and you will get a p0700's code for tranny.
or P1xx number P1 is unique to SUZUKI . P0xxx is univeral all cars. so is P2 and P3xxx
this code comes from the TCM .

the TCM MAY BE HAPPy , it is a dumb box. watch the CEL ! all 96+

just make sure OD lamp glows key on and CEL and both go out running.
with od off. on console switch all the time.

not sure if 97 can flash a OD code? may not.? book says nothing about flashing
in 96+, even though sAME TCM IS IN CAR.

Everything is commucated upstream to the OBD2 ECU via a serial port.

yes, TCM unplugged turns car into a manual tranny.! can drive forever like that.
like some race cars do. ( its a design feature and a backup )

so if it shifts perfect , then all the bands and majors are good.

Do not give up , there is huge list of on car tranny repairs and all are common fails too.


i will look this up. later. exact syptoms on 4sp. 1st gear flare. 2nd on ok.

look up tranny repairs google for .
03-72LE

or 44AE

this tranny is used in many cars today. I have one in a Mazda MX5 99.
there are helps pages, on it .
even on almost new cars.


more.
the 4sp has no mech governor, TCM does that using a speed sensor on tail shaft.
tranny shifts with 2 solenoids in belly.

you might want to clean the screen in the belly pan first.
PL says its a screen. not a filter.

then check oil pressure per that link to acksfaqs.
then do a full flush and pray. $100

it seems this is a simple problem.
but, that problem may be burried deap. somewhere very hard to fix , like bad pump.etc.

even burried o-rings can fail, and make a grown man cry.
that is the deal with the auto trannies. lots and lots of parts.