Transmission problems

Tiny
JHORNER
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 MITSUBISHI GALANT
Transmission problem 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?
Saturday, October 31st, 2009 AT 10:57 AM

13 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
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?
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Saturday, October 31st, 2009 AT 12:37 PM
Tiny
JHORNER
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
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
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Sunday, November 1st, 2009 AT 8:36 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
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.
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Monday, November 2nd, 2009 AT 6:09 AM
Tiny
JHORNER
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
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?
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Monday, November 2nd, 2009 AT 7:19 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
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?
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Monday, November 2nd, 2009 AT 9:42 PM
Tiny
JHORNER
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
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?
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Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 AT 11:11 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
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.
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Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 AT 12:34 PM
Tiny
JHORNER
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Is there any way to reprogram the replacement trans. To make it work?
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Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 AT 1:40 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
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.
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Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 AT 9:36 AM
Tiny
JHORNER
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
THANK YOU VERY MUCH for the information you provided me regarding the 2000 Mitsubishi Gallant Transmission problem that I was having. The information you provided was very helpful and I was able to purchase the transmission that fell in my production date and after installing it, the problem was fixed. I have over 30 years experience working with vehicles but this one stumped me. I really appreciate your assistance and will definitely use you again. I have and will continue to tell everyone I come in contact with about your service and how quickly you were able to help. You were more informative and correct than the dealer. They kept telling me that I was buying a bad transmission but after 2 other transmissions, I knew there was something else. Thanks Again. Jeff
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Monday, November 16th, 2009 AT 6:40 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
You are welcomed and glad to be of service.

Thank you for using 2carpros and have a great day.
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Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 AT 12:45 PM
Tiny
KELVIN28
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
My Mitsubishi gallant 2000 does not select gears it stays permanently on one gear wen I put it into drive. Please help what can I do
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Saturday, August 12th, 2017 AT 4:36 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,960 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like you have a shaft speed sensor that is out but to be sure lets start by reading the codes. Here is a guide to help us get started in the right direction.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please run this test and get back to us we are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken
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Monday, August 14th, 2017 AT 2:31 PM

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