Transmission Lurch, Low speed transmission failure Options

[kn5owa]

When my LX was newer - last fall - the transmission would, on occasion , (every few weeks), lurch at low speeds. Hard to describe - but at around 10-25 mph, it seemed as though the transmission would disengage for a second and then reengage.

Now, it seems to be doing it again - three times today.

Have others had the problem recently? And, if so, the solution, if any?

[mamamia]

Is this happening between gears?

I know there is an issue of a split second "drop" (or a "dead Spot") between 1st and 2nd gear, which I was complaining about here when I first joined this board, and others (also V6 owners) claimed they felt the same... I don't know if I just got used to it, though I think it happens here and there, especially when I accelerate very gently...

This post has been edited by mamamia: Sep 12 2006, 07:27 PM

[silkeeeeone]

Mine does it at about 35mph when the car is cold.

[kn5owa]

Sounds like the same problem - I do accelerate pretty slowly. Also, I pretty much ignored the problem until it did it three times on one trip today.

I purchased a second LX about the same time and it also does the same thing - although very rarely. The problem is, when it does happen, it scares the *%#@ out of me.

I think it may be a characteristic of these so-called "drive by wire" electronically controlled transmisssions (maybe wishful thinking). I have heard of similar complaints from the Honda/Toyata crowd.

As far as the transmission "learning" anything - if they do - mine must be very stupid.

[mamamia]

The Drive by Wire is not affecting the transmission, IMO, it's just, instead of using a cable, it's sending a "message" to the computer to accelerate the engine.

I've never heard of this issue in any of the newer Hondas or Toyotas... Do you remember where you read about it?

Our '05 Accord, also equipped with the Drive by Wire, does not have any "dead spot" between 1st and 2nd gear, or any gear... That's why I was wondering about it when I first got my Sonata....

Seems like this is just part of the Sonata's transmission design.

[kn5owa]

It's more than a dead spot, the whole car jumps when it happens and is usually noticed by everyone in the car.

I was surfing the other car forums last fall when I first noticed the problem. It seems from what I read that electronically controlled transmissions are not all peaches and cream. Certainly, I never had the problem with regular automatics which I having been driving since about 1960.

I plan to surf the net more exhaustively to see just how prevalent time-outs and erratic shifting are with electronic transmissions. Will post anything I find out.

Haven't taken the car to the dealer since I am certain a problem which can't be reproduced in front of their eyes will be dismissed as "normal" (and they might be right).

[joekewl]

yes i too have felt this (lx) a few times i have also driven my Girl friends car gls 4 cyl and never felt it

[todd]

any cel ? sounds to me like a sensor. make them check it out

[kn5owa]

Been doing a little net surfing - Toyota Avalons apparently have electronic transmission problems which make any of the Hyundai complaints look trivial. See the Toyota section in www.lemonlawclaims.com. And, I was maybe thinking that might be my next car.

In any case, electronic transmissions are obviously far from perfected at this point, especially considering the Avalon is supposed to be an upscale vehicle.

Makes the Hyundai look like an even better value.

[golfstream]

The only thing I've noticed with my LX is that when driving along slowly (20-30 mph) in rolling backups, I'll get a very slight lurch after lifting my foot then gently reapplying slight throttle. Otherwise not real issues.

Mel

[kn5owa]

Electronic transmissions apparently do have their little eccentricities.

I am just hoping that they stay little on the Sonatas. I certainly haven't noticed any "learning" capability - i.e., they obviously don't go away.

[mamamia]

Yes, kn5owa, I now realize what you're refering to... It's not the "dead spot" between 1st and 2nd gear... Happened to me couple times that going from (I think) 2nd to 3rd the engine races for a split second and then shifts... It's very intermittent and rare -- and sure would be next to impossible to reproduce by a mecahnic...

But since it's so inconsistent, I just ignore it....

Hey, this is the age of COMPUTERS... And anybody who makes his living relying on computers (like I do, being a graphic designer...) knows already that they are unpredictable, and have their own good days and bad days.... Like women................

[kn5owa]

I ignored it until it happened three times yesterday - no problem today though.

[mamamia]

Yeah, my wife was bitching all day yesterday, for no real reason... Today, so far, she's been nice to me and the kids...

Go figure computers.