2000 Mitsubishi Galant

jhorner · Posted at Sat Oct 31, 2009 7:57 am

Transmission problem
2000 Mitsubishi Galant 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 101246 miles

Original problem - cooling tank in radiator busted and filled transmission with antifreeze. In result it took the transmission out. Since then I have replaced the transmission, radiator and lines. I installed Mitsubishi fluid and now when the trans. shifts from low gear it trips the check engine light and goes straight to third gear and stays there until you clear the code. Then it repeats the same. Check engine code says low gear not synchronized and the dealer says it was a bad transmission. Put another transmission with 40,000 miles in the car and it does the exact same thing. Where do I go from here?

KHLow2008 · Posted at Sat Oct 31, 2009 9:37 am

Hi jhorner,

Thank you for the donation.

What was the exact trouble codes retrieved?

If the codes are similar, it could be caused by the TCM. Check all wiring connectors at trans for contaminations and poor connections.

The trans is going into limp mode because some sensors are not synchronised.

Was any sensor reused from the previous trans?

jhorner · Posted at Sun Nov 01, 2009 6:36 pm

What was the exact trouble codes retrieved? 41 & 42

If the codes are similar, it could be caused by the TCM. Check all wiring connectors at trans for contaminations and poor connections. Checked all connections and they were ok. Where is the location of the TCM and is it combined with the ECM? The dealer said it only has one computer. Cleared codes drove car, got it to go to second gear and then it went to limp mode. Does this year of vehicle need a relearn?

The trans is going into limp mode because some sensors are not synchronised. How do you get the sensors to synchronise?

Was any sensor reused from the previous trans? No

KHLow2008 · Posted at Mon Nov 02, 2009 4:09 am

Code 41 and 42 indicates a likely fault with the trans. One of the clutches is slipping causing the sensors to have a variation in readings and out of sync.

Were both the trans showing the same trouble codes?

The PCM controls the engine and trans so is in one unit under the dash on passenger side.

Recheck the input and out put shaft sensor installation. Check if the terminals and location are the same as the original.

Some JDM trans wire connectors are reversely installed and would result in the sensors being wrongly connected.

jhorner · Posted at Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:19 pm

Were both the trans showing the same trouble codes? YES

I RECHECKED THE SENSOR LOCATION AND THEY ARE THE SAME AS THE ORIGINAL. ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ORIG. TRANS AND THE OTHER TWO IS THE ORIG. HAS AN EXTERNAL FILTER THAT LOOKS LIKE AN OIL FILTER AND THE OTHER TWO DID NOT. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THERE IS MORE THAN ONE TRANSMISSION FOR THIS VEHICLE? THERE WERE NO SHIFT PROBLEMS WITH THE ORIG. TRANSMISSION UNTIL THE ANTIFREEZE GOT IN THE TRANSMISSION. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT SOMETHING INTERNAL IN THE OTHER TWO TRANS. DIFFERENT THAN THE ORIG?

KHLow2008 · Posted at Mon Nov 02, 2009 7:42 pm

The one with external filter is a different model trans and is the newer type. If that is the case, the PCM does not match the trans.

You have the wrong type of trans installed.

There are many variations of trans and most of them are interchangeable where installation is concerned, they do not work.

Are the trans code punched on top of housing similar?

jhorner · Posted at Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:11 am

The orig. had the filter on top of trans. Is that the only one that will work or is there another way to identify the trans. that I need?

KHLow2008 · Posted at Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:34 am

Sorry for the error.

Yours is a newer model and the only way to ensure you get the correct ttrans is to use the identification code punched on top of trans.

Number must be identical to be correct.

jhorner · Posted at Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:40 am

Is there any way to reprogram the replacement trans. to make it work?

KHLow2008 · Posted at Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:36 am

There are no known programmable procedures.

PCM is not getting the correct signal as the gear ratios for the input and output shafts are different.

Either you get the correct trans or you would have to replace the PCM with one that is compatible.