Need help! Transmission issues? Unexpected downshifts, VSA and caution light.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-06-2015, 05:33 PM
  #1  
Race Director
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
Undying Dreams's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: South Florida
Age: 30
Posts: 18,278
Received 3,824 Likes on 2,847 Posts
Exclamation Need help! Transmission issues? Unexpected downshifts, VSA and caution light.

First off, I've tried researching this problem but I am not finding solid info or I'm finding things similar to my case but not exactly. If this has been discussed before and I'm just a google noob, please excuse me.

So, about 2 weeks ago I was driving to work, about 45 or 50mph, in 5th gear (car was just in D, not sport shift) when the car very harshly downshifted into 4th, and threw the VSA and /!\ light. I tried moving it into sport shift mode but it would not allow me to move out of 4th. When slowing down, the car will harshly downshift again. Also note, the car is in a limp state and would not allow me full power. Anyhow, I made it to a parking lot, turned the car off and crossed my fingers. I restarted it and the lights went away.

Since the start of this problem, it has occurred about 4 more times. I had the CEL scanned and it's returning codes P0443, P0497 (both EVAP) and P2138. Now, after some research I've learned that P2138 is my throttle position sensor, which is causing my car to hesitate on acceleration from stops and also giving me difficulty while trying to maintain a speed.

My question now...is my problem with downshifts related to the throttle position sensor, or is my transmission beginning it's early stages of death?

Thank you to anyone who replies, it would be a great help.
The following users liked this post:
RPM (05-17-2023)
Old 11-06-2015, 06:02 PM
  #2  
Race Director
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
Undying Dreams's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: South Florida
Age: 30
Posts: 18,278
Received 3,824 Likes on 2,847 Posts
https://acurazine.com/forums/problem...-light-690295/

I did find that old thread, it is exactly what has happened to me, unfortunately, OP hasn't updated his thread.
Old 11-06-2015, 09:23 PM
  #3  
Registered but harmless
 
Will Y.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Age: 59
Posts: 14,842
Received 1,102 Likes on 763 Posts
Start with the Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) sensor first.

Instead of replacing the sensor, you might try an adjustment of the throttle cable per this thread: https://acurazine.com/forums/problem...-doing-830989/
The following users liked this post:
Undying Dreams (11-07-2015)
Old 11-06-2015, 09:36 PM
  #4  
Drifting
 
01acls's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NorCal
Posts: 2,824
Received 480 Likes on 421 Posts
OP

Fix the codes first... address the trans last. If you're lucky the trans is fine.
Old 11-07-2015, 12:49 PM
  #5  
Suzuka Master
 
truonghthe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Age: 36
Posts: 7,952
Received 1,687 Likes on 1,303 Posts
Have you try to replace the transmission range switch sensor? Its easy to do. When mine start to fail it wont let me shift from 2nd to 3rd either via padle or at the gate cause the car to bouce on the rev limiter.
Old 11-07-2015, 08:34 PM
  #6  
Race Director
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
Undying Dreams's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: South Florida
Age: 30
Posts: 18,278
Received 3,824 Likes on 2,847 Posts
I haven't even heard of that part. It sounds similar but isn't exactly what I'm experiencing.
Old 11-08-2015, 02:51 AM
  #7  
Drifting
 
01acls's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NorCal
Posts: 2,824
Received 480 Likes on 421 Posts
For the 5th to 4th gear shifting. Try replacing the following.

1. Shift Solenoid Valve C.
2. Pressure Solenoid Valve D.
3. Pressure Solenoid Valve C.
Old 11-09-2015, 10:28 PM
  #8  
2nd Gear
 
owenosteen's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
This same thing happened in my 05 5AT. I had the throttle position sensor replaced and that solved the problem.
The following users liked this post:
Undying Dreams (11-15-2015)
Old 11-15-2015, 01:08 PM
  #9  
Race Director
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
Undying Dreams's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: South Florida
Age: 30
Posts: 18,278
Received 3,824 Likes on 2,847 Posts
Originally Posted by owenosteen
This same thing happened in my 05 5AT. I had the throttle position sensor replaced and that solved the problem.
This seems to be the general consensus. I have since replaced mine a few days ago and have yet to experience it again. Knock on wood, I hope it stays that way.
Old 12-17-2015, 01:45 PM
  #10  
Race Director
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
Undying Dreams's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: South Florida
Age: 30
Posts: 18,278
Received 3,824 Likes on 2,847 Posts
I am happy to report that after replacing the throttle position sensor, the problem has not occurred.
The following 3 users liked this post by Undying Dreams:
F(x) (12-18-2015), RPM (05-17-2023), Vlad_Type_S (12-17-2015)
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
CenturionTL
3G TL Problems & Fixes
25
06-06-2023 11:33 PM
sam617
3G TL Problems & Fixes
46
11-20-2015 10:25 AM
n3o
3G TL Problems & Fixes
2
10-27-2015 01:08 PM
Doom878
Car Talk
16
10-23-2015 03:30 PM
dsmdc5
3G TL Problems & Fixes
1
10-23-2015 08:34 AM



Quick Reply: Need help! Transmission issues? Unexpected downshifts, VSA and caution light.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:04 PM.