Hey everyone.
I've been having a strange problem with my transmission and I just thought I'd ask about it here to see if anyone has any ideas. I have a 2003 Impala, 3.4L engine, and roughly 87,000 miles.
Maybe 500-1000 miles ago, whenever I would take off from a stop, the car would hesitate/not move very fast, and then there would be a clunk/jolt in the car as if the gear suddenly grabbed, and then it would move normally. My dad is a mechanic, and he unplugged my throttle position sensor and plugged it back in, and the problem went away. We ended up buying a new throttle position sensor and resetting the computer by unplugging the battery, and all seemed well. Just recently, the problem came back. My dad reset the computer again, and again the problem went away. Doing this clears the computer's learned habits I guess... so I don't understand why the computer suddenly starts causing the transmission to act abnormally (if it is even the transmission).
I did recently have the transmission fluid and filter changed, although I don't think it is related at all. I can't remember if we changed the fluid and filter after this problem first came up, or before. The fluid didn't appear to be in the best condition, but there was no metal shavings. The magnet in the pan had some very smooth sludge on it, but I was told that's normal after 80,000 miles with no fluid change (don't blame me.. wasn't my car for those miles). We put NAPA brand ATF in it and it is at the correct fluid level.
I'm really worried about the transmission... aside from this one issue that crops up, it seems to work fine. Sometimes the shifts seem slow, but I don't think that's anything to worry about either. Does anyone have any suggestions that might explain why this jolt issue suddenly happens out of nowhere?
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I also have a few other issues that aren't serious in any way, but that I've been wondering about.
1. Occasionally, the right wiper doesn't move as far to the left as it should, and makes an obnoxious bang sound as it moves back into the resting position. This RARELY happens, and is really odd. Sometimes it doesn't happen for a few thousand miles.
2. Sometimes my car starts rough... like I have to keep cranking it a little longer until it starts, while it makes a sound like it's trying but not quite there, though it always starts on the first try. I was thinking new spark plugs might help, since it's almost time for those anyway.
3. The other problem I have is when the car is idling, there is a very faint whistling sound that seems to come from the front of the car. It sounds like an air leak from somewhere, but I guess I might just be going crazy and it's normal. My family tells me I make a big deal out of every little issue... lol.
I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts or ideas Thanks for taking the time to read this all
I've been having a strange problem with my transmission and I just thought I'd ask about it here to see if anyone has any ideas. I have a 2003 Impala, 3.4L engine, and roughly 87,000 miles.
Maybe 500-1000 miles ago, whenever I would take off from a stop, the car would hesitate/not move very fast, and then there would be a clunk/jolt in the car as if the gear suddenly grabbed, and then it would move normally. My dad is a mechanic, and he unplugged my throttle position sensor and plugged it back in, and the problem went away. We ended up buying a new throttle position sensor and resetting the computer by unplugging the battery, and all seemed well. Just recently, the problem came back. My dad reset the computer again, and again the problem went away. Doing this clears the computer's learned habits I guess... so I don't understand why the computer suddenly starts causing the transmission to act abnormally (if it is even the transmission).
I did recently have the transmission fluid and filter changed, although I don't think it is related at all. I can't remember if we changed the fluid and filter after this problem first came up, or before. The fluid didn't appear to be in the best condition, but there was no metal shavings. The magnet in the pan had some very smooth sludge on it, but I was told that's normal after 80,000 miles with no fluid change (don't blame me.. wasn't my car for those miles). We put NAPA brand ATF in it and it is at the correct fluid level.
I'm really worried about the transmission... aside from this one issue that crops up, it seems to work fine. Sometimes the shifts seem slow, but I don't think that's anything to worry about either. Does anyone have any suggestions that might explain why this jolt issue suddenly happens out of nowhere?
--
I also have a few other issues that aren't serious in any way, but that I've been wondering about.
1. Occasionally, the right wiper doesn't move as far to the left as it should, and makes an obnoxious bang sound as it moves back into the resting position. This RARELY happens, and is really odd. Sometimes it doesn't happen for a few thousand miles.
2. Sometimes my car starts rough... like I have to keep cranking it a little longer until it starts, while it makes a sound like it's trying but not quite there, though it always starts on the first try. I was thinking new spark plugs might help, since it's almost time for those anyway.
3. The other problem I have is when the car is idling, there is a very faint whistling sound that seems to come from the front of the car. It sounds like an air leak from somewhere, but I guess I might just be going crazy and it's normal. My family tells me I make a big deal out of every little issue... lol.
I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts or ideas Thanks for taking the time to read this all