Car sometimes won’t shift out of 4th - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Overflow · 10-28-2018, 05:10 PM

Need your help guys,

This issue started within the last two days. At first I just assumed it was a hiccup, but now it’s happened again and even worse.

Today I was on an open road and did a “spirited” pull while I was in drive (as opposed to paddle shift or sport). Moderately braked to a stop and sat for about 10 seconds then very lightly accelerated from a stop. From the start the car didn’t feel like it was in 1st or 2nd. When I got up to 50 mph, the car aggressively downshifted to 4th and stayed there. I got up to 70ish and the car was approaching 5k on the rpm. I started to coast to give the car a second to shift and nothing. I had to brake for the car to finally shift up to 5th, then 6th.

The car has 25,000 miles on it. 13,000 of which I put on this year. Trans temp was 180 while this was happening.

Any ideas? Gonna start by going through all the electronics first

Rock-It Man · 10-28-2018, 06:04 PM

What happens when you use the paddles? Does the transmission respond to paddle inputs?

Overflow · 10-28-2018, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rock-It Man

What happens when you use the paddles? Does the transmission respond to paddle inputs?

Yes. It paddle shifts fine.

CamaroDreams76 · 10-28-2018, 06:24 PM

Can you check your trans fluid level?

Overflow · 10-28-2018, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroDreams76

Can you check your trans fluid level?

Don’t really have the means to check it. Which is frustrating because that’s a very good idea.

Does it sound like a trans flush?

christianchevell · 10-29-2018, 08:02 AM

Sounds like it needs a Dyno tune, headers and high flow cats with a CAI to fix that trans issue...… Or maybe switch fluids out with some royal purple or something; but I like my first idea better and it results in maybe being able to burn rubber much easier and sounding much more macho while eliminating that annoying AFM …..

Overflow · 10-29-2018, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christianchevell

Sounds like it needs a Dyno tune, headers and high flow cats with a CAI to fix that trans issue...… Or maybe switch fluids out with some royal purple or something; but I like my first idea better and it results in maybe being able to burn rubber much easier and sounding much more macho while eliminating that annoying AFM …..

I'm actually ordering headers for the car on Wednesday. Fixed transmission or not.

Taking the car into the shop at 3pm today. We'll see what they say.

qcman · 10-29-2018, 09:44 AM

Judging by the RPMs and speed you noted I would think its actually sticking in 3rd not 4th. I know in my L99 if I was at 5k or so in 3rd I would likely be over 90 mph so just thought I'd mention that in case it matters when getting it diagnosed.

UBB · 10-29-2018, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overflow

I'm actually ordering headers for the car on Wednesday. Fixed transmission or not.

Taking the car into the shop at 3pm today. We'll see what they say.

tell us more??

Overflow · 10-29-2018, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qcman

Judging by the RPMs and speed you noted I would think its actually sticking in 3rd not 4th. I know in my L99 if I was at 5k or so in 3rd I would likely be over 90 mph so just thought I'd mention that in case it matters when getting it diagnosed.

You're probably right. I just head it shift through two more gears. So I assumed it was in 4th.

Quote:

Originally Posted by UBB

tell us more??

Texas Speed 7/8" long tubes.

Also doing a ZL1 front fascia swap with GFX side skirts and rear diffuser. It's gonna be a different animal for Sturgis.

Moto-Mojo · 10-29-2018, 11:18 AM

New fluid and filter can work miracles sometimes. Only takes a spec of debris to foul up things in the valve body.

rebelyell22 · 10-29-2018, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overflow

You're probably right. I just head it shift through two more gears. So I assumed it was in 4th.

Texas Speed 7/8" long tubes.

Also doing a ZL1 front fascia swap with GFX side skirts and rear diffuser. It's gonna be a different animal for Sturgis.

Hit up Juiced. He gave me a deal on my TSP headers

Rock-It Man · 10-29-2018, 12:52 PM

A car with 25,000 miles isn't going to be low on transmission fluid unless there's a conspicuous leak, nor does it need a flush, most likely.

Since it paddle shifts OK, it sounds like an electronic or software problem.

Overflow · 10-29-2018, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moto-Mojo

New fluid and filter can work miracles sometimes. Only takes a spec of debris to foul up things in the valve body.

It's currently at the shop. Guy said he'd get back to me by 5pm. I'm anxious to see what's going on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebelyell22

Hit up Juiced. He gave me a deal on my TSP headers

Oh sweet! Will do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rock-It Man

A car with 25,000 miles isn't going to be low on transmission fluid unless there's a conspicuous leak, nor does it need a flush, most likely.

Since it paddle shifts OK, it sounds like an electronic or software problem.

One of my friends through out a software update. Any idea what Chevrolet would charge for a software update?

10-28-2018, 05:10 PM	#1
Overflow Space Shuttle Aficionado Drives: 2016 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 30,897 View My Garage	Car sometimes won’t shift out of 4th Need your help guys, This issue started within the last two days. At first I just assumed it was a hiccup, but now it’s happened again and even worse. Today I was on an open road and did a “spirited” pull while I was in drive (as opposed to paddle shift or sport). Moderately braked to a stop and sat for about 10 seconds then very lightly accelerated from a stop. From the start the car didn’t feel like it was in 1st or 2nd. When I got up to 50 mph, the car aggressively downshifted to 4th and stayed there. I got up to 70ish and the car was approaching 5k on the rpm. I started to coast to give the car a second to shift and nothing. I had to brake for the car to finally shift up to 5th, then 6th. The car has 25,000 miles on it. 13,000 of which I put on this year. Trans temp was 180 while this was happening. Any ideas? Gonna start by going through all the electronics first

10-28-2018, 06:24 PM	#4
CamaroDreams76 Tri-County Camaro SWFL Drives: 2013 IOM 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: South West FL Posts: 3,424 View My Garage	Can you check your trans fluid level? __________________ Just bolt ons........ https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343023

10-29-2018, 08:02 AM	#6
christianchevell old school chevy rodder Drives: 2021 zl1 a-10 WildCherry Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,622 View My Garage	Sounds like it needs a Dyno tune, headers and high flow cats with a CAI to fix that trans issue...… Or maybe switch fluids out with some royal purple or something; but I like my first idea better and it results in maybe being able to burn rubber much easier and sounding much more macho while eliminating that annoying AFM ….. __________________ 2021 Wild Cherry ZL1 A10, Sunroof, Data,Red Carbon Interior, Nav, RotoFab Big Gulp , Elite x2ultra, Borla ATAK, Driveshaft shop, BMR susp, Speed covers, intercoolers, ATI , 2650 MAG, DSX lid, 103 NW, TSP Longtubes & cats, LPE, 1le mods, ,LME cover, Katech pump and chain, Trunnions, BTR stage 2, LPE boostapump, Gforce, Speed eng , Granetteli, etc etc

10-29-2018, 11:18 AM	#11
Moto-Mojo Fast Cars and Old Guitars Drives: 2015 2SS RS (L99, baby!) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: N. CA Posts: 4,217	New fluid and filter can work miracles sometimes. Only takes a spec of debris to foul up things in the valve body. __________________ “I don’t want to belong to any club that would have me as a member.” - Groucho Marx

10-28-2018, 06:04 PM	#2
Rock-It Man 376 cubic inches of fun Drives: 2023 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MA Posts: 4,043 View My Garage	What happens when you use the paddles? Does the transmission respond to paddle inputs?

10-29-2018, 09:44 AM	#8
qcman Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS RDP Tuned L99 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada eh? Posts: 1,889	Judging by the RPMs and speed you noted I would think its actually sticking in 3rd not 4th. I know in my L99 if I was at 5k or so in 3rd I would likely be over 90 mph so just thought I'd mention that in case it matters when getting it diagnosed.

10-29-2018, 12:52 PM	#13
Rock-It Man 376 cubic inches of fun Drives: 2023 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MA Posts: 4,043 View My Garage	A car with 25,000 miles isn't going to be low on transmission fluid unless there's a conspicuous leak, nor does it need a flush, most likely. Since it paddle shifts OK, it sounds like an electronic or software problem.