Hi,
I have a 1996 Mitsubishi Galant S that has transmission problems. Originally, when it first started happening the O/D wouldn't shift - it went into neutral at about 40mph and then if you took your foot off the gas, it would hard shift into gear and then do it again. If I took it out of O/D, the transmission acts fine. We took it to Trak Auto and they ran the code, (since the Check Engine light came on) and they told us it was the solenoid for the transmission - which was a dealer only part.

We went to the dealer, ordered the part and took it apart and replaced the solenoids on the outside of the tranny. When my husband put the tranny back together, I couldn't get it out of park. It was locked - it wouldn't move. So he took it out again - did whatever he did and put it back together. The check engine light when out and I took it around the block. It was fine for about 5 minutes and the check engine light came back on and the O/D stopped working again. If I put it in O/D again, it goes fine until about 40mph and then shifts into neutral.

The transmission runs fine without O/D on, but for freeway driving, I understood you needed O/D. So, today I took it to Aamco. They told me that even though the check engine light is on, there are no codes at all. That I need to have the transmission pulled because something is internally wrong. They also told me it hard shifts. (I have never noticed that.)

Does anyone have any ideas on what I REALLY need to do? Thanks in advance for any assistance you can give me.

Well the transmission has seen better days. Wuts happaning . With O/D off the transmission is using gears 1st-3rd onlee. With the O/D on the transmission uses 4th with over-run clutch band(overdrive). The thing is that the fourth gear clutch components that operates the 4rth gear are overly worn. Too worn to engage that gear. So when yu take O/D off the Transmission Control Module disables the use of that gear.

That makes sense. So either I replace the transmission or get it rebuilt right?

Yes a replacment or rebuilt unit would be ideal. Deepending which way yu want to spend. I rebuild these all the time and they are not overtly complicated if yu take the time in doing so.

KIT....

She sound likeshe has what i had before in my trany but not as bad.

Her tranny slips from the 4th OD into neutral.....

Mines was like this..would run fine without the OD but once it was in it'd go from 4th to 2nd no matter the speed.

You need to have a rebuilt kit sourced and professionally put in. Clutches / Steels /Brake Band and Brake Band Drum only if it's really worn........

I have a post on here about mines...take a look see and you'll see my problems and my mech's solutions.........

RAGE.....

Yes the solenoids were part of my problem..But you have to consider or your husband rather.............that once he goes in the tranny...........it's best to replace the seals / bushes / steels / and clutches....

You put fresh solenoild to push pressure but i the seals leaking that wont help at all.

KIT can correct me where i erred...


RAGE

Thats wut i said..She either needs to source a replacement or have her old one rebuilt. Solenoids dont originally become the issue . Long periods before being serviced is the issue. Then the fiction clutches in the transmission wear down and causes the debris to gets circulated into the transmission and valve body where they get in the passages where the shift solenoids are.

So it is always good to have sumone that has experiance in these to rebuilt it , as they can remove and flush the valve body of any debris that will be in it.