firefoot0315 Posted December 14, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2010 Update: it took the mechanic a week and a half to track down a shift solenoid. He finally got it and installed it, and now says it's still sticking in first. Any ideas what could be causing this besides the solenoid itself? Haven't heard anymore insights from the mechanic yet (other than he said it looks like the transmission has been serviced before, and that it looks like I'd been driving with the bad solenoid for awhile, both of which are news to me), the parts guy at work, in his limited opinion, says it sounds like an electrical or valve pressure problem, and I've got an uncle who's looking at used transmissions because he thinks it might be shot. In general I have no idea what to think or who to turn to, so any input would be greatly appreciated. No matter where you go, there you are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted December 14, 2010 Report Share Posted December 14, 2010 Did you replace both solenoids? BOTH need to be replaced What codes is it setting? Did he reset the code and main plug? Did he totally ensure that the check balls are exactly where they go, and that he did put all balls back? Is it stuck in first gear or defaulting to a second gear start? Did he use the new design solenoids and also use the new brackets? Did he use o-rings on the solenoids? Did he replaced any separater plate gaskets that should be replaced when taking down a control body? Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefoot0315 Posted December 15, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2010 not sure what codes it's setting, haven't gotten it back yet. he just replaced the one solenoid. but apparently his opinion is that the transmission is shot because i was driving with low transmission fluid (which i did confirm for myself before i took the car in--no red fluid on the garage floor, not sure what's up with that, but it's not good). i probably ought to make a trip out to pull codes and whatnot before okaying a $700 transmission swap, but my dad is pushing me to just do it and get it over with. would swapping the other solenoid likely fix the problem? if it's the same problem persisting, which i'm assuming it is, it's not a second gear start, it's stuck in first. after about 10 minutes running it kicks down and doesn't shift back up, so i am running 2500 rpm at 20 mph. nor am i sure if he replaced the gaskets, used new solenoids, etc etc. i haven't actually had any direct contact with the mechanic, but i've been assured that he knows what he's doing (which has served me sooo well in the past...) No matter where you go, there you are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted December 15, 2010 Report Share Posted December 15, 2010 This is a very difficult problem to diagnose over the internet. First he has to be a reputible shop and knowledgable about this tranny. That is questionable to me because typically both solenoids are replaced. How low was the fluid? Is this a tranny shop or mechanic? Second, someone correct me if I am wrong, but usually BOTH shift solenoids are replaced, and the new ones come with brackets that MUST be used Third, if it was low in fluid, the PAN sediment would have had clutch material, what did he find in the pan? If its stuck in first, it could be setting codes, I would take a look Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefoot0315 Posted December 15, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2010 The fluid, when cold, was just a drop at the very bottom of the dipstick. I added 2 quarts and it just barely got it into the acceptable range for cool tranny fluid. However, the reservoir didn't smell burnt, and the drip on the end of the dipstick was red and smelled like petroleum, didn't seem to be reason to worry about a burnt out tranny. He's just a mechanic, but apparently he knows his way around transmissions (again, so I'm told). He also had a hard time tracking the solenoid down (maybe hence the reason he only replaced one?) As for codes, when it first started this it set P094. I imagine that it's still setting that. What I've been told by people with some but not a lot of tranny knowledge is that if the clutch was burnt out it wouldn't be engaging at all, which is not the case. It engages in first very solidly, but doesn't shift. Waiting to hear back on if he found clutch material in the pan. No matter where you go, there you are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted December 15, 2010 Report Share Posted December 15, 2010 The fluid, when cold, was just a drop at the very bottom of the dipstick. I added 2 quarts and it just barely got it into the acceptable range for cool tranny fluid. However, the reservoir didn't smell burnt, and the drip on the end of the dipstick was red and smelled like petroleum, didn't seem to be reason to worry about a burnt out tranny. He's just a mechanic, but apparently he knows his way around transmissions (again, so I'm told). He also had a hard time tracking the solenoid down (maybe hence the reason he only replaced one?) As for codes, when it first started this it set P094. I imagine that it's still setting that. What I've been told by people with some but not a lot of tranny knowledge is that if the clutch was burnt out it wouldn't be engaging at all, which is not the case. It engages in first very solidly, but doesn't shift. Waiting to hear back on if he found clutch material in the pan. If it was on the tip, I dont see that as a problem at all, yes its two quarts, but, he is using that as an excuse. What was it doing before, doing second gear starts and not shifting?, were there codes? I dont know why he had a hard time, there is a shift solenoid kit at the dealer that includes both solenoids, where are you located? It sounds like the job needs to be done again, replace both solenoids and MAKE sure all check balls are in the right spots and any gaskets are replace. Check for any new codes Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott y Posted December 15, 2010 Report Share Posted December 15, 2010 You dumped 2Quarts into a cold tranny?? Big mistake...you will be drawing some out or severe damage will result. P094 if you check the DTC chart listed on this site indicates Shift Solenoids A&B, so BOTH must be changed. Next time you check your tranny fluid consult your owners manual, it is a little bit of a procedure that even recommends that you bring it into your dealer(ya right!) However if you are even slightly mechanically incline you can do it yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefoot0315 Posted December 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 I got my dad to slow down on his rush to replace the transmission, so we'll take it to an actual transmission shop and have them look at it. Apparently the guy didn't take the transmission apart and replaced something that bolted on to the side, so that sounds like a red flag to me. He started out looking for the solenoid kit at his parts supplier, and they didn't have it. Not sure why else it took so long. There were no symptoms before that I noticed. It drove fine, then it downshifted on the highway and stuck. No matter where you go, there you are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 Good keep us updated, Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefoot0315 Posted December 21, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2010 Well, yesterday a second opinion from an actual transmission shop still yielded bad news. The guy did say that both solenoids were bad and needed to be replaced. He also said that there was fluid in the base pan when it should have been dry, and to that end the tranny still needs to be replaced, electrical issues aside. No price from him yet. The initial mechanic said he'd do the swap for $250, and we've tracked down a used tranny for $450 with a 6 month warranty, but he's out of town for the next 3 weeks. Any tips on how to save money would be greatly appreciated, but from the sounds of things $700 is gonna be a bargain. No matter where you go, there you are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted December 21, 2010 Report Share Posted December 21, 2010 Well, yesterday a second opinion from an actual transmission shop still yielded bad news. The guy did say that both solenoids were bad and needed to be replaced. He also said that there was fluid in the base pan when it should have been dry, and to that end the tranny still needs to be replaced, electrical issues aside. No price from him yet. The initial mechanic said he'd do the swap for $250, and we've tracked down a used tranny for $450 with a 6 month warranty, but he's out of town for the next 3 weeks. Any tips on how to save money would be greatly appreciated, but from the sounds of things $700 is gonna be a bargain. What do you mean by this statement? He also said that there was fluid in the base pan when it should have been dry The lower pan SHOULD have fluid in it, so I am not sure what he is talking about, what is a BASE PAN? Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefoot0315 Posted December 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2010 I have no idea. But my dad told him to replace it. Nice of him to commit to spend my money like that without asking me first. Used transmission with 6 month warranty, plus swap with labor guarantee, comes to about $1000. It should be done by Friday. And so we get taken for a ride by the shop. And yes, I thought the mechanic's comment on the fluid was dubious. But at this point I've been budgeting and saving for this joyous event, and will just be glad to have it behind me. No matter where you go, there you are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted December 22, 2010 Report Share Posted December 22, 2010 Well good luck, I hope this works out for you Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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