Good day everyone, I tried a search but didn't locate anything specific to my problem..

Here's what I've got..

2003 LS - approx 115K, auto trans.

First thing in the morning (while cold) it tends to have a sluggish shift between 1st and 2nd. Not too bad, but noticeable.

After warming up a little (1/3rd to normal engine temp), and after stopping for a minute or so for a light, it will take a little longer to shift from 1st to 2nd, usually not until 3k RPM has been sustained for a few seconds.

Then, after sitting for a while during work, the lunch run is horrid. It will refuse to shift from 1st (instead going into a neutral-like position) until it gets back under 20 mph. Then, back into 1st to try again. It usually takes 3 or 4 ups and downs to get it to start shifting somewhat normally. (Still goes to 3k RPM, hold for a second or two, then a pop shift).

On the ride home after work (another 5 hours of sitting), I will have to coax it along for 2-3 miles between 1st and that neutral area (and the 20mph zone) before it will decide to shift to 2nd.

Once it starts making the shift, it does get 'better', but is still never 'right'.

Reading around I see that PC solenoids and shift solenoids are normally a cause of shifting problems.

Does this sound like the same thing?

 

Sounds to me like a bad 1-2 shift solenoid...

 

www.tripleedgeperformance.com

great read about your transmission and all the common problems. But it does sound like the Solenoids

 

before u go replacing solenoids, check the fluid level (have the car running and the fluid hot)

 

Oh yeah kweef, I've been all over the fluid level for a little while now. (Since the first noticeable shift problem). I had given thought that it 'may' just need a fluid and filter change, but then after reading here and there it sounded more like a solenoid problem.

And ChibiBlackSheep, that site does have a lot of great information on it! I was fairly depressed to see the amount of work it takes to change something that seems like it could have been a lot simpler, but those are the breaks, eh?

MAMONTE, thanks for the clarification, that's what I was looking for. (Someone smarter than me to grant my thoughts a little validation.)