I'm at my wits end. The Inspection failure I've been riding on is done at the end of this month. I got the Spark Plug Non-fouler for the O2 sensor to take care of the p0420 code. Will install that Mon.
The P0741 is killing me. All the Solenoids were replaced, the Trans fluid is clean but I had to ad a Quart. I checked the wiring to make sure there are no problems from the pan to the TCC. Didn't find any connection problems! I can feel the car shift to 3rd gear but the engine still revs hi like it's still I mm second. As a matter of fact it revs higher than I expect in all gears. (in 1st it revs to 2800 rpm, 23 mph, before shifting to second) at 70 mph, cruising, it will rev at 2300 rpm and on an up hill incline of about 20°, it will idle up to 27-2900 rpm just to hold the speed.
If I had access to a lift and a helping hand I would purchase a used Trans and call it a day. I think I could come up with $300 - $500 for a trans. At least easier than $1200 - $2500! But I am still stuck with the problem of the inspection reject is done at the end of the month. So I either have to take a chance and drive it to work anyway, or park it. The messed up thing is I have no other way to work. Take the bus into the city then get the bus to work from there. But that would mean I'm not saving anything for the trans. And since I am a contracted employee, I have no vacation or sick time to take advantage of.
Talk about being stuck between a rock and a pile of dog poop?
I wish I had 2000 friends that could each lend my a dollar! But I don't think I know 2000 people.
So what do I do? I have not a clue!

So I wrote this post to vent! It seems like that's the only thing I can do right now that is actually in my control!
Thank for taking the time to read my Raving Anger and depression. Maybe a prayer will help, but I doubt it!

 

IIRC, the brake switch can cause that code also.

 

That may be true and I will check it out. But the brake switch wouldn't cause the hi revs and the apparent lack of 3rd gear!

 

You're right... It wouldn't cause a non shift, it would make the TC buck out on the highway though. If you were closer I'd have no problem helping you out, I have an engine lift and everything. Sorry to hear man, best I can say is make sure your fluid level is good and hope for the best.

 

Don't get me wrong, if there is one thing that I have learned with the 6th gen 3800 it's that my Old school knowledge alone is not enough to fix every problem that pops up. I depend on the members of MCF to bring me up to speed! Lol
John I wish you were closer to. All the Pro wrench heads I know have turned in their tool boxes and moved on to other things. And I have never had the need to own a Cherry Picker.
You said it would cause the TC to vibrate at HW speeds. But the only vibration I have is from the drivers side hub assembly which I should have replace last spring when I did the passenger side.
By TC do you mean the Trans Case?
It seems that I still have a great deal to learn about this car. And it wants me to learn it all over night!
Thanks for the advice! I'm gonna try again tomorrow. I'll look at the brake switch, ohm it out to make sure it's functioning within normal operating parameters! Till then, I'll have to start considering what options I have to get back and forth to work.

 

A dirty Mass Air will can cause this, as will a bad brake switch. A good cleaning will not hurt. When the code is set, 4th is locked out and the shift points may be higher than normal.

 

Nah I didn't mean it would vibrate, sorry for the confusion and poor choice of word, I meant it would kick out of "4th" and make your RPMs go up like you described. That's from my experience at least, I still have that code and and a somewhat similar torque converter issue after all the work I've done - which included all the tranny solenoids, a 2750 stall TC, a PCM, and of course the brake switch. It won't hold a constant speed. I have keep accelerating to keep the TC locked. Granted I don't have cruise control... But mine's most likely a wiring harness issue.

 

what and where is this brake switch? looked on rockauto,there is a parking brake switch and another cheap brake switch?? where? and what please!! thanks!!

 

The P0741 code is the torque converter stuck in the OFF position !


This is giving you all the symptoms you are encountering, the brake switch they are referring to is located at the top of the brake pedal. Adjustment and testing is simple. A quick test is, are your brake lights off without any pedal pressure and come on with very little pressure.
There are lots of other things that contribute to this circuit, one in particular is to do with engine temp. If for example the engine does not reach 188* the torque converter will not lock up as it should even if all other parameters are met. This could happen if there was a faulty thermostat or even a improper thermostat (a 160*) installed for example.


My advice is to go to a trans shop and have them test that circuit only, then decide on how to do the actual repair without additional cost. It could be the converter or the switch (TCC solenoid), wiring to it or just a faulty ground.


For now clear the code and only drive your car in 3rd, do not put it in D. This may buy you some time.

 

Ill, had my TCC and all the other Solenoids changed out. 3rd gear is were most of my problem is. I feel it want to shift into 3rd gear at about 25 mph. It's like 3rd gear just can't catch up to the engine or the rest of the Trans. I w went through the wiring outside of the Trans. All good. Engine temp is good.
The Trans shops are all closed when I get off work.
Wish I could clear the codes then get the monitors to come up without P0741 to come up. Then at least I could get it through emissions.