Bought my 2005 monte carlo ls in nov...dont do much city driving so was about a month b4 I noticed the problem...it seems like once it's warmed up tranny shifts hard from 2nd into 3rd....not ALL the time tho....had tranny fluid & filter changed..still wants to shift hard every now & then...took it to a very trusted mechanic & he used a diagnostic type machine (4got what it's called lol) & told me it is the transmission shift adapt & not much I can do for it except rebuild/replace tranny....am going to find someone 4 second opinion, but until then I thought i'd ask for more info here...any thoughts?

I'm tempted to just go trade it in, but really love the car...is first non-mom car i've ever owned lol...been lifetime chevy/gm owner (impala, century, cutluss, malibu) even tho dad's a ford man however, he DID make sure I knew how to check all my fluids & add if needed, and I can change a tire too...lol

Thanks in advance!
Fla 4th grade teacher

 

Hi Florida 4th grade Teacher,
How many miles are on your Monte Carlo ? What model ? How many previous owners ? What is the overall condition of your Monte ?

Did your trusted mechanic give you a price on a rebuild ?
What is the percentage of your driving time > that your transmission shifts HARD ?

Wish you good luck & we look forward to your reply...It will help our expert members give you their advice/suggestions...

 

Thank u 4 your quick reply

Its a 2005 LS w about 135,000 miles...VERY good condition..at least 2 previous owners...found binder that orig owner kept w maintenance records..seemed to be very well kept

It only shifts hard 20% of time ...mechanic said sensor detected slow/long shift & "shift adapt" is trying to adjust to my driving habits

When I asked what a new tranny cost, he said about 3 grand but would be worth it cuz this model is sweet...LOVE the car, but dont have the $ to sink into it

 

Ok folks...talked 2 couple local guys..rebuilt tranny $1600...one guy thought there might be a relearn procedure that could be reset...another said no there's not..also could be solenoids,modules, or sensirs...my regular mechanic used scantool on tranny, drove it & detected long shift...said was the "transmission shift adapt" ...thats what he called it..he's not a tranny specialist tho

Have googled it..read some of the threads here..seems the tranny is weak area on monte carlos..am getting worried that it's gonna be major repair that I'm not prepared to invest in

Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions? Thanx in advance

 

My wife's '05 Impala has a similar issue (this is her winter car). It's intermittent when it does it, but it really bangs through the gears once in a while. Since I have a DHP PowrTuner for the Monte and it will work on her Impala, I have read with a little tuning changes to the PCM the potential exists to bandaid the issue. I'm going to adjust the shift times and gently adjust the shift line pressures.
It will be a few months before we have results (car is parked right now and insurance down to storage).

 

You could more than likely request a "Soft" rebuild VS a Hard rebuild....
The difference between the 2 is:
A soft rebuild consists of a hot flush along with new bands clutchs and steels along with a filter...etc..

A hard rebuild, consists of changing the drums, solenoids, valve body
Torque converter etc...
As long as none of the hard parts are damaged, you would save around
$400.00 to $500.00 Dollars! Take it to a reputable trans shop and talk to them about a "Soft" rebuild.
I had a soft rebuild done on mine and only cost me $1000.00 12 month 12,000 mile warranty.. That was 2 yrs ago and its been trouble free ever since... Once a Year I do a regular fluid filter change also! Mine currently has 166,000 + miles on it!

 

Thx for replies...am taking to tranny shop tomorrow..will let results u know my