Neon 3-speed Auto valve boby

[Twisted Noodle]

My '98 Neon has the common problem with the kick down lever seizing up. I got another valvebody from Bucar (Aries_Turbo) from an older A413. My VB and the older VB have the same casting numbers the only difference (i can see) is mine has the lock-up converter solenoid mounted to the side, and It is minus a spring on one of the plungers/valves. I swapped everything over (also did the "shift kit mod" with the rod replacing a spring and removal of the steel ball). Now everything seemed to work ok. I had a hard time plugging in the solenoid when it was all together. I thought I got it, but I am not 100% positive. The car went into park, Reverse, Drive, Neutral, and 1st gear ok. But does not shift on it's own. It seems to stay in 1st gear. Does anyone know IF it could only be the lockup solenoid, or this other (older) VB just doesn't work with the newer Neon.. This could mean the difference between me fixing it in my driveway, of driving it back to my dads (in 1st gear) and spending another bunch of hours changing the vb again.. lol

[turbovanman²]

The only difference between a Neon and older A413 is the LU, so it sounds like you messed up a spring or valve. The LU does have some different valves under the LU plate but not sure if that would affect shifting. Did you make sure the governor tubes were properly seated? Common mistake? TV moves freely and properly adjusted?

[Twisted Noodle]

I was sure the tubes were seated propertly but not 100%. when I swapped the lock up solenoid I took teh plate off and noticed it was also missing a spring. so I put one in from the LU valvebody. The TV did move freely but not sure if it was adjusted properly. I guess I could match the old VB...


But one more thing as I was pulling it back into the garage I checked the dipsitck and the fluid was low (this was about an hour ago). I put 4 quarts in lastnight and at first it seemed over filled. When I checked it a second time it was (seemed) ok. Did I not add enough? (Didn't find any leaks) is 1 - 2 qts low enough to not allow it to shift?

Thanks for the info Simon. This will bee the first time I've ever had a Auto trans apart like this. Aside from changing the filter. Most of my cars have been manals..

[turbovanman²]

Its possible you got some valves/springs mixed up, its easy to do.

How are you checking the fluid level? Dropping the pan and vb, it should take around 4-5 litres depending on how long you had the vb off.

[Twisted Noodle]

I had the VB off for about 4-5 hours.. I believe I had all the springs in the correct place. I made sure I either marked them or took one out at a time.

[bakes]

What about check balls

[Twisted Noodle]

Check balls all seem to be in place. Except the one I removed for the "shift kit" mod. http://halfahemi.com/fastatx/

---------- Post added at 12:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:51 AM ----------

This is the only difference I could find. These are the plungers that are oushed by the TV lever

[turbovanman²]

Ok, looks like you did the proper tweaks, you can also block the bypass valve.

I would say the vb is no good or you assembled it incorrectly, all it takes is one valve/spring installed incorrectly to mess it up.

[Twisted Noodle]

Alright guys, I got it working..for now. Not sure what I did, I changed a plunger (not sure if thats the correct term) or I might not have had those tubes properly seated (as Simon stated). Thank you for the help! We'll se how it goes on my 40 mie trek to work in 3 hours!!

[Aries_Turbo]

nate, hope its all figured out.

dont toss the old valve body. I need to pull mine and compare the 2-3 shift valve with mine.... mine feels like it goes into neutral when the car is cold for the first 1 or 2 shifts into 3rd gear. i wonder if mine is sticking.

after it shifts 2x, its fine and the shift into 3rd is nice and crisp.

brian

[turbovanman²]

nate, hope its all figured out.

dont toss the old valve body. I need to pull mine and compare the 2-3 shift valve with mine.... mine feels like it goes into neutral when the car is cold for the first 1 or 2 shifts into 3rd gear. i wonder if mine is sticking.

after it shifts 2x, its fine and the shift into 3rd is nice and crisp.

brian

I would bet your piston seals on the 3rd gear clutch are rock hard. Try some Lucas fix in a bottle, stuff works good.

[Aries_Turbo]

i think i remember you saying something like that before but i couldnt remember what it was.

rock hard on a 97 thats been doing this since 100k?

ill try a little of the lucas. i mean ive seen folks dump in fix-in-a-bottle into trannies and have them eat themselves. min just does this only when its real cold and only for the first shift. id hate to mess something up trying to fix something that doesnt bother me that much at all and i work around.

Brian

[turbovanman²]

i think i remember you saying something like that before but i couldnt remember what it was.

rock hard on a 97 thats been doing this since 100k?

ill try a little of the lucas. i mean ive seen folks dump in fix-in-a-bottle into trannies and have them eat themselves. min just does this only when its real cold and only for the first shift. id hate to mess something up trying to fix something that doesnt bother me that much at all and i work around.

Brian

Cold issues equals seals, 99% of the time, but then again, you are special,

[Twisted Noodle]

You talking like "Window Licker" special, or "Boot Lip" Special?

[turbovanman²]

You talking like "Window Licker" special, or "Boot Lip" Special?

Neither, he's gazer special.

[black86glhs]

If you only put a half bottle in, you should be fine. I did this with my intrigue and never had a problem.