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Transmission will not shift to a higher gear until around 5,000 RPMs?

Tiny
ROBERT UHLER
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 GEO TRACKER
  • 1.6L
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
It also is idling too fast, 600 RPMs in park, and 200 RPMs in drive. The idle problem started after replacing spark plugs that were worn out. The transmission problem started after an attempted reset of the idle. Any help would be appreciated.

Robert Uhler
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Sunday, October 16th, 2022 AT 9:54 AM

17 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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First of all, I would recheck the spark plug type and gap. Here is a guide and the type and specs below:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-change-spark-plugs

SPARK PLUG APPLICATION
This vehicle should be serviced with:
NGK: BKR6E
Nippondenso: K20PR-U
AC: R43XLS

Gap 0.71 mm (0.028 in)

Torque 28 Nm (21 lb-ft)

If the engine still is having trouble let's run the codes.

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

This guide can help as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-idles-too-high

Please go over these guides and report back.
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Sunday, October 16th, 2022 AT 1:34 PM
Tiny
ROBERT UHLER
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  • 11 POSTS
Check the spark plugs and they were correct. Regaped them also. The check engine light is not on.
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Tuesday, October 18th, 2022 AT 12:45 PM
Tiny
ROBERT UHLER
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The idle speed did not change. Haven't checked timing.
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Tuesday, October 18th, 2022 AT 1:04 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Did you move the timing? If not, I don't think that is the problem. Even though the check engine light is not on it still can have a code. In the initial post you said "attempted reset of the idle" how was this done?
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Wednesday, October 19th, 2022 AT 12:06 PM
Tiny
ROBERT UHLER
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  • 11 POSTS
Have not changed the timing.

Using some carburetor cleaner, I was spraying around the Idle air control valve and found a leak. Fixed that and saw a video on how to reset it. Disconnected battery for about half an hour, then started car and let idle for 2 min in park, 2 min in drive and 2 min in drive with air conditioner on high. After doing that the trouble with the transmission started.
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Thursday, October 20th, 2022 AT 5:33 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, that is correct, we need to run the codes, let me know what comes up.
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Thursday, October 20th, 2022 AT 11:36 AM
Tiny
ROBERT UHLER
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  • 11 POSTS
No codes came up, but it only checked for stored codes. Is there another diagnostic check that can be done?
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Monday, October 24th, 2022 AT 6:44 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Okay, it sounds like we need to check all fuses with the key on. Here are the wiring diagrams for the transmission which show you have a VSS sensor inside the instrument cluster. Does the speedometer work?
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Monday, October 24th, 2022 AT 12:48 PM
Tiny
ROBERT UHLER
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  • 11 POSTS
Yes.
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Monday, October 24th, 2022 AT 1:04 PM
Tiny
ROBERT UHLER
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  • 11 POSTS
Tachometer also works.
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Monday, October 24th, 2022 AT 1:05 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Let's try removing the transmission control module to check the electrical connector for corrosion, this will through off the values of the sensors and make it shift strangely. Check the image from below to see the location of the module.
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Tuesday, October 25th, 2022 AT 1:50 PM
Tiny
ROBERT UHLER
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Could this be the module? The one wrapped in gray material.
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Wednesday, October 26th, 2022 AT 7:02 PM
Tiny
ROBERT UHLER
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I have a 3-speed transmission. People on the Facebook page says 3 speed does not have a controller.
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Wednesday, October 26th, 2022 AT 8:15 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Can you forward the facebook page please?
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Thursday, October 27th, 2022 AT 10:59 AM
Tiny
ROBERT UHLER
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Here are some screenshots of the post.
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Thursday, October 27th, 2022 AT 11:21 AM
Tiny
ROBERT UHLER
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1034172440036442/permalink/5601865699933737/?app=fbl
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Thursday, October 27th, 2022 AT 11:23 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Thank you, the guy said there is a three speed, but I do not show one for 1996 but in 1995 they do not show one so it could be a late 1995. How does the power of the engine seem, could you have a clogged cat causing the vacuum to be low therefore holding the gears longer because the computer thinks it is under load?

This guide can help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-catalytic-converter

Please go over this guide and report back.
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Saturday, October 29th, 2022 AT 2:16 PM

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