Hey All,

I just got my auto TL about 3 months ago with 100k miles on it. I've put on about 4k miles. I've replaced the pressure switches and done the 3x3 tranny fluid drain and refill. Car seems to shift fine for the most part, far better after doing these 2 maintenance items. I can notice it shift a little hard sometimes, mostly when cold or at high RPM's.

The thing that is concerning me the most is the car will shudder if I let it coast. Especially on hills and especially if it is close to a gear change. I notice it happens in the same locations most days on the way to/from work. You can feel it through the whole car. It feel lift a really harsh downshift.

Everything I've read seems to point towards torque converter failure. It looks like I would have to drop the sub-frame and transmission on this car in order to replace it. I would do it myself, but I don't own the tools and lift to do the replacement myself, unfortunately.

Another question I have: How serious is this issue? Will it begin to cause serious wear to the transmission? I can say it happens on average about once per day. Knowing the conditions that cause the shudder/hard downshift, I have been trying to avoid creating it.

Any other possible ideas on what would cause the shuddering? Anyone had this fix done? Want to get an estimate of the cost... expecting at least $1k.

 

Does it shudder at around 45-50mph under light throttle (cruising)?

 

Not that I have noticed. Only if I let off the accelerator on an incline, as far as I have noticed. Mostly when I am under 40. Usually in city traffic. I've never noticed it happen on the highway speeds if I let off the gas.

I did some research into the issue on the forums and it looks like it very well may just be the grade logic in the car. Other people were saying that it will shift down gears harder on the incline to engine brake.

I haven't driven another TL, so I'm not sure if mine is harder than usual or not. Obviously, I can't get that answer off of the forums though.

I wanna say I'm good. I tend to be a hypo-car-driac and think something is wrong with my car all the time.

 

This occasionally happens to my as well.

 

yeah I'm thinking it is probably the grade logic if only happens going downhill

Sounds like yours probably is the TQ. My 02 TLS would do that..think it is the torque conv locking/unlocking

 

I've never noticed it shifting down roughly when I have the foot on the accelerator. I've been paying close attention the last week. It's been pretty warm here and I have noticed the grade logic on hills now is better at downshifting when warmer. However, it's not like my car was cold when it would do it in cold weather. It'd do it pulling into the road right before my apartment, which is a 20 min commute. Car has been shifting well after 3x3 and switches. It will just shift a little harder on my all around in colder weather, no matter how warm the engine/tranny are.

One think I have noticed that annoys me is the lag between getting off and on the gas quickly. Say I am rolling into a stop light and then now it's green and I get back on the gas. Occasionally there will be a slight delay between pushing the pedal and actual acceleration. Once I actually accelerate it is quite abrupt. I've tightened the drive by wire. I'm thinking I may just replace the accelerator position sensor though. This issue is really the only nagging issue affecting the drive-ability of my car right now. It makes driving in traffic pretty annoying. Thoughts?