Transmission Shutter

I get a transmission (I think it's the tranny) shutter when I gradually accelerate. I have to give it more throttle to get out of the shutter/heavy vibration. The tranny was replaced about two years ago. Someone suggested it was the torque converter...any ideas

How fast are you going when this happens? Checked trans fluid levels?

I seem to notice it from anywhere between 40MPH and 65-70 range (WAG). The fluid level checks ok. When it happens, it's definately noticable. Not quite bad enough to jar your fillings loose, but close. :shock:

Seems related to OD, which is definately trans related. Not a fix, but try tapping on the brake a little as you accelerate. Does the shudder still occur?

I have the same exact problem. I'm on my second tranny to. It happens at about 50-60% throttle durring accell, and in cruise on the interstate when I start up an incline. I can hit the gas and it stops and if I let off the gas, it stops. Its almost like its having trouble shifting to a lower gear. Now if you manually shift, it works fine at any speed. Also, when cold, I shift into reverse and sometimes I feel a sharp jerk that sounds like the tranny just fell out. I know this is going to be an expensive problem to fix. I'm going to have the tranny flushed and refilled. I'll let you guys know if it improves.

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try tapping on the brake a little as you accelerate. Does the shudder still occur?

It hasn't acted up in a while. Sorry, for the delay in response. Yes...it still shutters when the brake is applied. It occures when you give it just a little gas, not enough to kick it into a lower gear, and I notice mainly at highway speeds...

does it do it if you leave it out of OD?

I don't think so. I'm starting to believe it's an OD thang. Is that a rebuild or a fix? Trans was rebuilt about 2 or 3 years ago...

Mine was just rebuilt over the summer and I have started to see this shutter about a month or so ago. It is only when in OD usually at hiway speed. When I step on it enough to downshift out of OD it acts like it doesnt want to and gives me a shutter.

I think that may be related to my other problem. When driving around in the city for a while, when I come to a stop a little harder than usual, I can hear something sounding like it is winding down loudly. When you slow the car you can hear the RPM drop but this is like that times 3. Only in the city when driving around for a while and coming to a stop harder than usual. I havent really tested if putting it into neutral while stopping helps this. And I think it makes it a little harder to stop, not sure tho

How are your engine mounts? Loads of torque needed when the TCC locks on the freeway. I'd think a loose mount could contribute to vibration.

tranny mounts too

If you two are directing those posts at me, I see no vibration. Its a whole car shutter or hesitation then not hesitation then hesitation then not hesitation. Just not going as fast as it should be and feeling strange while doing it.

Good idea. I'll check mine.

I've have seen this problem many times before on 4T60E transmissions. Its a TCC issue itsi is either when the torque converter is engaging or disengaging. I had it when it was disengaging on my 1996 Oldmobile 88 LSS. It is either the TC solenoid or the TC itself. Neither are a cheap soultion.

I bought my '95 SC a little over three months ago... it had 58K on the odometer. Soon after the odometer passed 60K, I began to notice a severe shudder whenever I would accelerate... like getting up onto the freeway, or attempting to pass around another car. To best describe the shudder sensation would be like driving the car along a railroad track! When I backed off of the accelerator, the shuddering would stop...

I took my Riv to a transmission shop, and they said my torque converter had failed... this with only 60K+ on the odometer!!!

Cost me nineteen-hundred bucks for the rebuild...

That describes mine to a T. But my tranny is only 3yrs old!

Yeah, mine is rebuilt and that is like the same problem. I think TCC also. How much is the solenoid parts/labor you think?

jax95riv wrote:

That describes mine to a T. But my tranny is only 3yrs old!

Well... sounds to me like you gotta do what I did: fork over a bundle of dead presidents to fix your problem...

I've mentioned in a previous post that I have a good-buddy mechanic. We've been friends for 20+ years, and he's been fixing cars for some 45+ years. The dude stays current... i.e.: he's got all the latest (and mucho expen$ive...) diagnostic equipment, and he has young, talented 'whippersnappers' working in his shop. That way he can fix rice burning Hondas, Toyotas, Acuras... you know what I'm saying? Anyway, this guy is my good friend, and he's always made sure I didn't get any bad advice from other mechanics. The reason I say this is because he doesn't do trannys in his shop... he used to, but that was when he had a top-notch tranny guy working for him. My friend, while smart enough to fix 'em (he used to teach tranny repair at a local car repair trade school out here), his philosophy is simple: you're either doing 'general' car repairs, or you specialize... like transmissions, radiators, or air-conditioning. He chooses 'general repair'...

...sorry, I'm getting off topic here... my point: my friend assured me that I wasn't getting the shaft from the transmission shop. He concurred that something was up with the tranny, and the $1900 was the going rate for such a repair... especially since our Rivieras are front-wheel-drive cars, which apparently are a tougher fix that RWD vehicles...

GOOD LUCK, my friend!!

IMO i think it may be the CV joints i replaced mine and it launched harder AND it stoped making noise

Yo u know what.......i don't want to jinx myself but i think my tcc is going bad too......because when i get around like 50 mph it sort of in a way stay idle and then i would press a little harder and between 50 mph and 60 mph it would do this after 60 mph it would be fine........but i notice around 50 mph to 60 mph it would be "idle".......idk if this is the same as shudder? But that is what i noticed when i'm on the highway........can anyone confirm that this is my tcc?

This is confusing. I don't know if we can just diagnos problems by description. Prolly have to take it in.

I say this because mine suddenly stopped doing it. Like I said before when I try to downshift out of OD it would shudder like when running out of gas for a second and then down shift. But now that my s/c is not hooked up it doesnt do it anymore. I was driving home on I75 and I was happy that I was in D and going 70 and being able do downshift and pass people. Made my day.

Could this in anyway have to do with the s/c, maybe badly worn coupler? I fixed the coupler but unhooked it because it leaks ssooo much.

Most likely it has nothing to do with the coupler or SC.

I didnt think so. It was just a dream....

Dam i have the same shutter but i noticed it more when i blew my front tire and had a spare on. It was really bad after fixin it it isnt so bad. When driving in down with od going up this good sized hill if i dont get goin and i notice its in 2nd just by feeling the shift it acts at 40 like it wont even make it up the dam hill but if i started at a dead stop at the bottum and went up it would increase and stomp that hill. Wierd to me since im new to the rivs but im havin a frined check it out for me.

I have the shutter thing going on as well. Seems to happen when shifting direction or taking a turn when there is a load on the engine,,,,speed doesn't seem to matter. I have been told its the TC and they even make an additive for this problem,,,,which had no effect except I did feel better for a bit.
I think its time to look for another riv. or maybe that park ave I been wanting. I do like these cars but 2000 grand for a tranny is a bit much for me. Better to add another 8 g and look for that 2005 park.