For those who have a 42LE trans (93-97) with shift problems, before having a new tranny installed you may want to try this:
I was having shift problems in my 1995 42LE tranny (95 3.5L). Sonnax makes a shift improver kit (SC-41TE) that includes redesigned teflon seals for the accumulator pistons, a new piston, redesigned control valves, new solenoid parts, etc. The kit also advises to drill out one of the fluid passeges to 1/16" to allow more fluid to help certain shifts. I am in the process of changing these out. I noticed that when I removed the trans valve body and removed the 2/4 accumulator piston, it was made of plastic. Research found a TSB requiring this be replaced with a new part # (made of metal with new seals). The plastic piston leaks that results in 2nd gear limp-in before reaching normal operating temp. The TSB also states that the plastic 2/4 accumulator piston was in cars built between 09/01/94 and 07/14/95. Also, the tranny fluid had some sludge in it that I found in the valve body (seemed to be fine metal powder from the gear wear). I have 140k miles on the car with a fluid change at 90k miles. I should have had this done every 30k miles at least from the looks of it. Although the kit comes with improved parts for the pump and clutch, I obviously will not be using these since I do not want to remove the tranny. To buy the parts alacarte that I will be using in the valve body would have been about $20 more.
The kit was $89: http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/A604_41TE_Sure_Cure_Trans_Reconditioning_Kit_p/400-000sc41te.htm
Here is the instructions with details on the parts included:
http://www.tascforce.com/parts/PDF/SC-41TE.pdf
I was having shift problems in my 1995 42LE tranny (95 3.5L). Sonnax makes a shift improver kit (SC-41TE) that includes redesigned teflon seals for the accumulator pistons, a new piston, redesigned control valves, new solenoid parts, etc. The kit also advises to drill out one of the fluid passeges to 1/16" to allow more fluid to help certain shifts. I am in the process of changing these out. I noticed that when I removed the trans valve body and removed the 2/4 accumulator piston, it was made of plastic. Research found a TSB requiring this be replaced with a new part # (made of metal with new seals). The plastic piston leaks that results in 2nd gear limp-in before reaching normal operating temp. The TSB also states that the plastic 2/4 accumulator piston was in cars built between 09/01/94 and 07/14/95. Also, the tranny fluid had some sludge in it that I found in the valve body (seemed to be fine metal powder from the gear wear). I have 140k miles on the car with a fluid change at 90k miles. I should have had this done every 30k miles at least from the looks of it. Although the kit comes with improved parts for the pump and clutch, I obviously will not be using these since I do not want to remove the tranny. To buy the parts alacarte that I will be using in the valve body would have been about $20 more.
The kit was $89: http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/A604_41TE_Sure_Cure_Trans_Reconditioning_Kit_p/400-000sc41te.htm
Here is the instructions with details on the parts included:
http://www.tascforce.com/parts/PDF/SC-41TE.pdf