Hi guys, hoping someone can have an idea of what's going on with my 96 tl 2.5.

This issue happens occasionally - the RPM gauge would suddenly begin bouncing like crazy, but the actual RPMs are fine. Additionally, when this happens, the switch from 1st to 2nd gear becomes very rough, you can feel it kicking in. Both these issues happen together, so somehow they are connected. I've noticed that it doesn't happen on a cold engine. However, when I drive around a bit, and then let the car stand for a short time, then this happens.

Also, I used to have an oil leak and when the oil level was really low this was happening all the time. Now the leak is fixed, oil level is fine, but this still happens occasionally.

I've recorded the issue on camera, check out the video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5WTr...ature=youtu.be

Any thoughts/ideas are much appreciated. Thanks.

 

im curious about this one. mine did this the first day i bought it but never did it again. my car has a wheel sensor that occasionally acts up and i wondered if thats the cause but i dont know for sure. in your case i dont think the oil leak would be connected to your issue but dont hold me to that either. but for the time being i would consider them separate issues. any chance you checked the trouble codes since this happened??

 

No, haven't checked the codes yet. It doesn't happen that often to really bother me, but when it does - it's quite annoying..especially the 2nd gear issue.
I find it quite weird that it only happens on a warm engine..

 

yeah mine was warm when it happened too. my A/B solenoid is bad i know so im curious to see if its the same on yours. thats why i recommended checking the codes.

 

I have had a similar issue (1996 TL 2.5) I noticed only once that my tach dropped down to zero, but then quickly back to normal and I have had the hard shift issue for a while (have not really attributed this to anything other than trans. problem...?) A couple days later I went to start the car..it started, but then immediately died and would not restart. If I let it "rest" overnight/several hours - it starts once, dies and same thing over again. Have determined not getting spark but not sure why..How do I test the ignition coil (can't find correct diagram for 1996.) How do I test ignitor? ANY AND ALL HELP APPRECIATED..

 

*UPDATE*

Fixed the problem. The check engine light turned on after driving like this for a while, so I finally took to the shop to read the codes. Turned out to be the ignition coil problem. Installed new coil ($50) a week ago - has been good so far, smooth shifting and no bouncing rpm's.