Need help, my 2004 Lesabre shifts hard.

QAGuy1

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2004 LeSabre, 2015 Lacrosse AWD
Sometimes my 2004 Lesabre shifts hard. It doesn't bang but definitely a more firm shift. I shut it off and start it again then it shifts smooth and normal.
 
Sometimes my 2004 Lesabre shifts hard. It doesn't bang but definitely a more firm shift. I shut it off and start it again then it shifts smooth and normal.
Typical issue. You need to install a transgo shift lit. The 4t65e transmissions develop a long shift issue and sometimes throw a p1811 code. You may want to start with a trans filter and fluid change but if I were you, and if u do a filter and fluid change, I'd just install the kit too while ur right there. Easy to do if u have simple tools and alittle knowledge.
 
Typical issue. You need to install a transgo shift lit. The 4t65e transmissions develop a long shift issue and sometimes throw a p1811 code. You may want to start with a trans filter and fluid change but if I were you, and if u do a filter and fluid change, I'd just install the kit too while ur right there. Easy to do if u have simple tools and alittle knowledge.
Happens when the car has been running for awhile right? Do u have over 80,000 miles?
 
Happens when the car has been running for awhile right? Do u have over 80,000 miles?
No, it's random, the car has 69k miles. It does it after driving for a while after it's shut off. I stop, shut off the car, go to the store etc. Then come out start it and drive and it shifts a little harder. If I stop, shut it off, then start it again it shifts smooth. The transmission has been serviced twice by the previous owners during 56k miles of driving over 14 years of use.
 
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No, it's random, the car has 69k miles. It does it after driving for a while after it's shut off. I stop, shut off the car, go to the store etc. Then come out start it and drive and it shifts a little harder. If I stop, shut it off, then start it again it shifts smooth. The transmission has been serviced twice by the previous owners during 56k miles of driving over 14 years of use.
Yup. That needs the transgo kit.
 
Yup. That needs the transgo kit.
It's very easy to do. Transgo kit is about $70, you just drop the trans pan, 4 bolts to drop the accumulator, 6 bolts to separate the accumulator halfs, remove the pistons, take out old springs, and replace them with the new springs that come in the kit plus a few spacers which also come in the kit, and put it back together in the reverse order. Install new filter, not in the kit, new gasket if nessesary, new fluid, also add a bottle of #60902 lubegard synthetic trans additive, it comes in a red bottle. Done. Watch a few YouTube vids on the steps to do this job.
 
It's very easy to do. Transgo kit is about $70, you just drop the trans pan, 4 bolts to drop the accumulator, 6 bolts to separate the accumulator halfs, remove the pistons, take out old springs, and replace them with the new springs that come in the kit plus a few spacers which also come in the kit, and put it back together in the reverse order. Install new filter, not in the kit, new gasket if nessesary, new fluid, also add a bottle of #60902 lubegard synthetic trans additive, it comes in a red bottle. Done. Watch a few YouTube vids on the steps to do this job.
Any purchase information on the Transgo kit and lubegard?
I've seen a youtube where a guy replaced all the solenoids. Not required?
 
Any purchase information on the Transgo kit and lubegard?
I've seen a youtube where a guy replaced all the solenoids. Not required?
Buy kit on Amazon. Just search, example..4t65e transgo shift kit. It's the one without tap shift. $47.16, cheaper then when I bought it. I gave you the part# for the additive. As for the solinoids, with your low mileage I doubt it. This transgo kit is the first step and 90% of the time a perfect fix! Mine has 113,000 miles and transgo kit works BEAUTIFUL!
 
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Frampton, I would like to say thank you for your assistance!
I installed the kit today and it was quite a simple task with a picture tutorial I snagged from the Grand Prix forum from 02NavyBlue. I'll insert the link below.

It now shifts perfectly. I'm so glad I reached out to the Buick Forum and was responded to with great advice.

Way to go!

Here's the link;

Here's my other old man toy;
20170625_100356 (2).webp
 
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Frampton, I would like to say thank you for your assistance!
I installed the kit today and it was quite a simple task with a picture tutorial I snagged from the Grand Prix forum from 02NavyBlue. I'll insert the link below.

It now shifts perfectly. I'm so glad I reached out to the Buick Forum and was responded to with great advice.

Way to go!

Here's the link;
[/URL][/URL]

Here's my other old man toy;
View attachment 23487
That's some toy! 😆. I'm glad I was able to be of service and help! Well done! Only very bad peice of advice in those instructions is NEVER USE SCOTCHBRIGHT PADS ON ACCUMULATOR PISTON WALLS!! I PRAY YOU DIDN'T DO THAT!
 
Very nice! Mine had a shift kit installed probably 25 years and 125,000 miles ago. Just had it serviced with Amsoil and a NOS Wix filter and she's still shifting very well. I believe both my 4T60 equipped cars to be their last respective model years before going to being electronically controlled, something I am happy for.
 
That's some toy! 😆. I'm glad I was able to be of service and help! Well done! Only very bad peice of advice in those instructions is NEVER USE SCOTCHBRIGHT PADS ON ACCUMULATOR PISTON WALLS!! I PRAY YOU DIDN'T DO THAT!

I didn't need to. With 69K miles and two transmission services in that time, the trans was spotless inside.
 
That's some toy! 😆. I'm glad I was able to be of service and help! Well done! Only very bad peice of advice in those instructions is NEVER USE SCOTCHBRIGHT PADS ON ACCUMULATOR PISTON WALLS!! I PRAY YOU DIDN'T DO THAT!
Yeah when I did mine following those same instructions, I just decided to not the the scotch brite stuff since I didn't trust it. Just wiped slightly with a shop towel and then re lubed with transmission fluid before re installing, making sure I didn't leave any scraps of the towel on before putting it all together.
 
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Yeah when I did mine following those same instructions, I just decided to not the the scotch brite stuff since I didn't trust it. Just wiped slightly with a shop towel and then re lubed with transmission fluid before re installing, making sure I didn't leave any scraps of the towel on before putting it all together.
Yup! That's EXACTLY what should be done!
 
Buy kit on Amazon. Just search, example..4t65e transgo shift kit. It's the one without tap shift. $47.16, cheaper then when I bought it. I gave you the part# for the additive. As for the solinoids, with your low mileage I doubt it. This transgo kit is the first step and 90% of the time a perfect fix! Mine has 113,000 miles and transgo kit works BEAUTIFUL!
at 180,000 miles, starting to have this issue. transmission guy says a kit won't fix it, but I've seen so many people saying it will that I am suspect. Should I just have it installed anyway you think? Trying to get the car/transmission to go another 50k!
 
at 180,000 miles, starting to have this issue. transmission guy says a kit won't fix it, but I've seen so many people saying it will that I am suspect. Should I just have it installed anyway you think? Trying to get the car/transmission to go another 50k!
Well, what do you think??‽
 
at 180,000 miles, starting to have this issue. transmission guy says a kit won't fix it, but I've seen so many people saying it will that I am suspect. Should I just have it installed anyway you think? Trying to get the car/transmission to go another 50k!
If you have ramps or jack stands and some basic mechanical ability you should do it yourself. If you can drop the pan and change the filter it’s only a few more bolts to remove the accumulator and install the springs and spacers that are included in the shift kit. Go for it.
I have gone about 12k miles since installing the kit and the tranny is still shifting nicely.😀😉
 
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