[mrstewy]

Has anyone experenced a slipping auto - when cold and intial start in the am, the auto wont move from 1st into 2nd correctly - it moves along in 1st, then just slips and revs increase without forward progress. Moving the gear selector in and out of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, reverse several times, seems to either warm the transmission or does something that will then see a smooth movement between 1st and 2nd and then 3rd - all works well for rest of day - till the cold start next morning. Vehicle is 1990 JLX Vitara Auto. thanks for any advise Steve

[joeblow]

the ecu temp sensor could be faulty, but more than likely the selector swith on the side of the auto needs to be adjusted/ cleaned out.

[just_cruizin]

what is the fluid level like, if it's low on oil it will slip, this will start to happen when cold and as the oil heats up thermal expansion may be just enough, this will worsen as the level drops. It's not guaranteed to be the answer but it could be something as simple as that.

[mrstewy]

just_cruizin wrote:

what is the fluid level like, if it's low on oil it will slip, this will start to happen when cold and as the oil heats up thermal expansion may be just enough, this will worsen as the level drops. It's not guaranteed to be the answer but it could be something as simple as that.

Thanks - level is ok - looks like a governor

Steve

[mrstewy]

joeblow wrote:

the ecu temp sensor could be faulty, but more than likely the selector swith on the side of the auto needs to be adjusted/ cleaned out.

It appears to be more inside the transmission - probably the governor or similar caused by wear

[fritter]

Bit of a grave dig.

I have a 89 vit, G16a with a 3 sp auto that slips when changing from 1st to 2nd.
Only happens when cold.
Trans oil is full. Selector is clean.

Interesting thing is, last time I changed the engine oil I overfilled it slightly
and now it changes into 2nd without much revving to warm the transmission at all.
ie: it starts working after driving 50 meters instead of having to rev it for 500 meters before it shifts.
Does this give any clue as to what's wrong? or is the extra oil just warming it quicker?

Also, is it worthwhile dropping the pan and changing the filter and trans fluid?
The interwebs told me that doing this may kill the transmission as the old oil has gunk in it that stops it getting around seals.

Has anyone experienced this?