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Car struggles to shift and then dies when off throttle by Raohstedd87
Started on: 03-22-2025 09:28 PM
Replies: 11 (95 views)
Last post by: olejoedad on 03-28-2025 12:38 PM
Raohstedd87
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Report this Post03-22-2025 09:28 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Raohstedd87Send a Private Message to Raohstedd87Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
So I've been having a few issues with my fiero 3.4 pushrod automatic trans. I took it for a drive after finishing my engine swap and didn't make it very far. When I take off it's not very long till it is wanting to shift. The car lunges and bucks, and isnt able to make the shift, by this time I'm just trying to flip a u turn to make it back to my garage, once I let off the gas the engine will kill and then I have to come to a complete stop to start it back up. It starts and I limp it into my driveway once again the engine kills as I turn in. My focus has been on the kickdown cable guessing that it's not set correctly, but just curious if anybody knows what my problem is? Also I have a oil leak, it puddles right where the trans and engine join, I've tightened my oil pan bolts to spec and when I did my swap I replaced the rear main seal. I haven't been able to eliminate the leak. The leak is never visible after the engine has been running, but 2 hours later I'll look under the car and there a pretty large puddle of oil on the ground. Anybody have a similar experience?
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Patrick
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Report this Post03-22-2025 09:45 PM Click Here to See the Profile for PatrickSend a Private Message to PatrickEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by Raohstedd87:

...once I let off the gas the engine will kill and then I have to come to a complete stop to start it back up.


Why do you need to come to "a complete stop"? The engine should be able to start while the car is coasting with the gear selector in Neutral.

 
quote
Originally posted by Raohstedd87:

Also I have a oil leak, it puddles right where the trans and engine join...


I suspect your 3.4PR doesn't have a distributor... but whether it has a distributor or a "plug" in its place, make sure that oil isn't being pushed out past the O-ring at that location.
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1985 Fiero GT
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Report this Post03-22-2025 10:30 PM Click Here to See the Profile for 1985 Fiero GTSend a Private Message to 1985 Fiero GTEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

I suspect your 3.4PR doesn't have a distributor... but whether it has a distributor or a "plug" in its place, make sure that oil isn't being pushed out past the O-ring at that location.


Sounds like it is puddling on the ground beneath where the engine and trans join, not on the trans where the distributor would leak.
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Raohstedd87
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Report this Post03-22-2025 10:39 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Raohstedd87Send a Private Message to Raohstedd87Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

I suspect your 3.4PR doesn't have a distributor... but whether it has a distributor or a "plug" in its place, make sure that oil isn't being pushed out past the O-ring at that location.


My apologies, I do not have to come to a complete stop. But I do for my preference.
I did retain the distributor on my swap, but have not seen any oil leaking from there.
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Patrick
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Report this Post03-22-2025 10:52 PM Click Here to See the Profile for PatrickSend a Private Message to PatrickEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by 1985 Fiero GT:

Sounds like it is puddling on the ground beneath where the engine and trans join, not on the trans where the distributor would leak.


It's amazing what gravity can do. Plenty of 2.8 Fiero owners have been fooled by oil leakage coming originally past the distributor's O-ring. It's a high oil pressure area.

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cartercarbaficionado
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Report this Post03-23-2025 05:14 AM Click Here to See the Profile for cartercarbaficionadoSend a Private Message to cartercarbaficionadoEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by Raohstedd87:

So I've been having a few issues with my fiero 3.4 pushrod automatic trans. I took it for a drive after finishing my engine swap and didn't make it very far. When I take off it's not very long till it is wanting to shift. The car lunges and bucks, and isnt able to make the shift, by this time I'm just trying to flip a u turn to make it back to my garage, once I let off the gas the engine will kill and then I have to come to a complete stop to start it back up. It starts and I limp it into my driveway once again the engine kills as I turn in. My focus has been on the kickdown cable guessing that it's not set correctly, but just curious if anybody knows what my problem is? Also I have a oil leak, it puddles right where the trans and engine join, I've tightened my oil pan bolts to spec and when I did my swap I replaced the rear main seal. I haven't been able to eliminate the leak. The leak is never visible after the engine has been running, but 2 hours later I'll look under the car and there a pretty large puddle of oil on the ground. Anybody have a similar experience?

sounds like fuel or spark issues.. whats the temp gauge say to start with?
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olejoedad
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Report this Post03-23-2025 07:01 AM Click Here to See the Profile for olejoedadSend a Private Message to olejoedadEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
What transmission are you using?
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Filben
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Report this Post03-23-2025 10:17 AM Click Here to See the Profile for FilbenSend a Private Message to FilbenEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Well the engine is not running, the shifting doesn't matter much if the engine won't run. Does it start and idle and rev up just fine? Because if it does not then it won't ever drive. I would check timing, then fuel pressure.
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Raohstedd87
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Report this Post03-28-2025 10:45 AM Click Here to See the Profile for Raohstedd87Send a Private Message to Raohstedd87Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by cartercarbaficionado:

sounds like fuel or spark issues.. whats the temp gauge say to start with?


Temp gauge reads good in the middle, although I'm always paranoid about how hot it gets, the engine is like a instant furnace. But yes purchased a new gauge when swapped and so far no overheating
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Raohstedd87
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Report this Post03-28-2025 10:46 AM Click Here to See the Profile for Raohstedd87Send a Private Message to Raohstedd87Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post

Raohstedd87

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quote
Originally posted by olejoedad:

What transmission are you using?


It's the stock the 3 speed auto
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Raohstedd87
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Report this Post03-28-2025 10:55 AM Click Here to See the Profile for Raohstedd87Send a Private Message to Raohstedd87Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post

Raohstedd87

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quote
Originally posted by Filben:

Well the engine is not running, the shifting doesn't matter much if the engine won't run. Does it start and idle and rev up just fine? Because if it does not then it won't ever drive. I would check timing, then fuel pressure.


Yes it starts up great everytime, and idle is a little high at first but once warm settles down nicely. I've been working on this for the last couple night trying to adjust the TV or kick cable and was able to eliminate the stalling problem. But it still is not shifting for me. I removed the solenoid connector on the back side of the trans and no more lurching but nonetheless I've yet to get to second gear.
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olejoedad
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Report this Post03-28-2025 12:38 PM Click Here to See the Profile for olejoedadSend a Private Message to olejoedadEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Basic question....

Have you checked the transmission fluid level with engine running?
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