I'm fairly new to trackers. Have two at this time, a '90 with a 5 speed, and a '92 with a 3 speed auto.

The automatic has what seems to be a common problem. The transmission when cold will not shift between 2nd and third. It just over revs and acts like it missed a shift for two or three seconds. Then it grabs and drops into third normally. After it's warmed up, the tranny shifts like a new one. I've done some research, this is a very common complaint with a few different years.

Has anyone ever figured out what the basic problem is here? If so, is there a fix, short of pulling the old one out and popping a fresh rebuilt in? I've changed the fluid and screen, and threw a new modulator valve in while I was under there. The tranny shifts better, but the 'missed shift' wasn't affected.

If we're resigned to a differnt tranny, who's installed a four speed? You know somebody out there has done this swap. Fess up, if you've swapped an overdrive into your early '90s tracker or sidekick tell us how it went!
John

I have the same problem in cold weather. Just get a can of Trans X and your problem will go away for a couple of months. Then just add another one when needed. It will no harm your trans. The 3 speed auto is bomb proof.

I would try Auto-rx before anything else.
http://www.auto-rx.com/

I went to the trans experts, they wanted 389 dollars to fix the problem. I did it with 4 dollars.

Ya know, I guess I might as well try a chemical solution (additive) to this problem. Usually I don't tend to try them, but what the heck, it's not like I'm going to make it any worse by dumping something in it. Think I'll give it a try.
John

There is another factor which can affect the trans from shifting, there is a sensor on the injector housing which connects to the trans. It send air for pressure and when the valve gets stuck, the hose breaks, or clogs, the trans does not get the necessay pressure and will not shift. Try the Trans-X first, if the problem fixes itself, then your trans bushings might be a little worn out, just keep adding trans x 'till it will not work anymore. Don't fix it 'till this happens or better yet, get another trans. I've had bad experiences with rebuilt trans, but good experience with used ones.

I had kinda wondered about some sort of vacuum valve controled by heat, since the darn thing hangs up when cold, but shifts great when warm. But it looked to me like if a valve wasn't opening properly and cutting off vacuum to the tranny, it wouldn't shift in any of the gears, not just 2nd to 3rd.
John

I had both go bad in my Sidekick. If the Trans X does not work, then you should look at the valve. The valve might be good, but the hose might be leaking. My trans is really dirty and though I changed the filter and oil, the trans X cleaned the whole system so I have to yet put in another filter. My Sidekick was tampered by its previous owner in order to suck money out of his wife who owned the Jip and I've had to fix just about everything. Just to mention one mischief, the husband opened up the crankcase and loosened up all the berrings to the point that one of the half moon spacers came lose and made a noise like the engine had a bad berring. I just put in new berrings and torqued the whole thing and its been a year of good running.