Author |
Message |
depps74 Samba Member
Joined: January 16, 2020 Posts: 157
|
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 8:29 am Post subject: Automatic Transmission on my 1990 multivan not engaging on start |
|
|
The thread title says it all really. The engine revs but no movement till its really revving. Then after about a minute or two it seems ok. Its also a little abrupt when I put it into reverse. Kind of jolt of movement and then it moves. Eventually after about 2 minutes of being running it accelerated normal. To be honest I got so many other problems with this van, I dont even care anymore, just wondering if its something I Can put off or am I doing more harm than good.
Some other facts: I've have a coolant leak that I can not find. I am getting that fixed Friday. I assume the coolant leak is the water pump but could be something else. Oil cooler etc... (see the other thread)
The Transmission was working great for past 1000k miles. Prior to that I had some work done. The fluid level was fine last check, cant really check now because of coolant leak. I've read that this can happen when its cold? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
mikemtnbike Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015 Posts: 2780 Location: North Carolina
|
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 8:48 am Post subject: Re: Automatic Transmission on my 1990 multivan not engaging on start |
|
|
Yes to when cold, what I think is happening is your torque converter needs for the atf to warm some in order to build up enough pressure to engage. Just let it warm up for a few minutes and you should be fine.
Definitely check to the level whenever you can. _________________ 1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual |
|
Back to top |
|
|
SCM Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011 Posts: 3102 Location: Bozeman MT
|
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 8:59 am Post subject: Re: Automatic Transmission on my 1990 multivan not engaging on start |
|
|
My GTA rebuilt auto trans started doing this after a couple years. They suggested changing the ATF before getting worried or doing anything more drastic. The ATF change fixed it.
I would start with that. _________________ '91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
|
Back to top |
|
|
djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32433 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
wesitarz Samba Member
Joined: August 20, 2012 Posts: 1477 Location: Victoria,B.C.Canada
|
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 9:50 am Post subject: Re: Automatic Transmission on my 1990 multivan not engaging on start |
|
|
Mine was a little grabby in reverse first thing in the morning backing up a slight slope. Replacing the almost original CV joints fixed it. They had some pitting but not much, enough to lock them up a bit, I guess. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
AceTaylor Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2009 Posts: 137 Location: PERKASIE, PA
|
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 10:12 am Post subject: Re: Automatic Transmission on my 1990 multivan not engaging on start |
|
|
My 30 years with this car has taught me that depending on where the engine stops at, the torque converter will drain down over time. It will take upwards of 5 or more seconds for it to pump up and start working properly. Does not matter whether it is 9 or 90 degrees. One day or one week. It is just what happens. When I go to back out of the garage and it chooses not to go on a particular day, I just let it idle until it starts moving on it's own then it's ready to go. No big deal. I got 5 seconds to wait. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22573 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
|
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 10:12 am Post subject: Re: Automatic Transmission on my 1990 multivan not engaging on start |
|
|
Classic low ATF symptom. The torque converter is draining so there is no coupling onstartip, after a few minutes of running it fills and then drives normally _________________ .ssS! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
eeebee Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2009 Posts: 429 Location: Tujunga
|
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 4:59 pm Post subject: Re: Automatic Transmission on my 1990 multivan not engaging on start |
|
|
Abscate wrote: |
Classic low ATF symptom. The torque converter is draining so there is no coupling onstartip, after a few minutes of running it fills and then drives normally |
Yes, it sounds like low ATF. Check when warm. _________________ Eric
1987 Vanagon Wolfsburg Special Edition
GoWesty 2.3
Democracy is the recurrent suspicion that more than half of the people are right more than half of the time. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Brownj Samba Member
Joined: November 05, 2017 Posts: 33 Location: Southern Maine
|
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2021 11:00 am Post subject: Re: Automatic Transmission on my 1990 multivan not engaging on start |
|
|
I had the same issue on my 87. Put in gear when cold and no movement but after a minute or so would work ok. Searching through this forum I found a number of posts recommending Ford Type F atf to fix. I changed mine and the problem went away. This was about 15K miles ago. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
depps74 Samba Member
Joined: January 16, 2020 Posts: 157
|
Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2021 6:15 pm Post subject: Re: Automatic Transmission on my 1990 multivan not engaging on start |
|
|
UPDATE: problem fixed! topped off fluid and let it run for a minute. No problems. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22573 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
|
Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2021 6:35 pm Post subject: Re: Automatic Transmission on my 1990 multivan not engaging on start |
|
|
depps74 wrote: |
UPDATE: problem fixed! topped off fluid and let it run for a minute. No problems. |
Now get it on the highway , warmed up, then bring it back and dump,the excess you put in.
Seriously, you have to get this right. Follow the manual procedure _________________ .ssS! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32433 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
depps74 Samba Member
Joined: January 16, 2020 Posts: 157
|
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2021 6:45 pm Post subject: Re: Automatic Transmission on my 1990 multivan not engaging on start |
|
|
There is no external leak that I can see. Perhaps internal, before I degreased it the differential was dripping. That drip is gone now though. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32433 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
|