2011 Impala Reving too high before shift on hill

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ebays2muchfunn
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri May 09, 2014 4:13 pm

2011 Impala Reving too high before shift on hill

Unread post by ebays2muchfunn » Fri May 09, 2014 4:25 pm

Hello
Trying to figure out odd shifting on 2011 impala 3500 motor with automatic- all maintenance up to date except plan to change plugs and wires soon
changed transmission fluid filter etc at 50k and recently near 100k - change not flush - first one fine in winter months but after this one the car does not like shifting on a hill - it will shift ok through the lower gears but if you are pulling a steep hill the rpms will keep going up to 3500 or 4300 before it makes the final shift - if you let off of it and put it right back to it - seems to help it shift - wondering if this could be in the plugs and wires - my first thoughts were transmission - lock up solenoid - dirt in the valve body - torque convertor - no easy fixes that I see but I would appreciate an experts opinion of the most likely cause after a fluid change and suggestions for how to figure it out - my mechanic didn't even put it on the machine just drove it and told me a fluid change would do that? FYI - I also replaced the right front hub assembly due to excessive play in the wheel on the same day as the transmission fluid change. Help Please - my dad taught me to take care of my car and I hate to let things go that can be fixed before a major failure
thanks for your time

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carriedi
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Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2013 12:42 pm

Re: 2011 Impala Reving too high before shift on hill

Unread post by carriedi » Sun May 11, 2014 8:20 am

computer controlled trans shifts are based on load and TPS unless there is a pressure problem. you should have the trans scanned on a hill that will make it act up. Check for codes and freeze frame first but if there are no codes or freeze frame you're going to need to drive it with the scanner watching the trans data stream.

ask a trans specialist would be your best bet
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ebays2muchfunn
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri May 09, 2014 4:13 pm

Re: 2011 Impala Reving too high before shift on hill

Unread post by ebays2muchfunn » Sun May 11, 2014 5:58 pm

Well - I thought I had - it went to a dealership - which wouldn't even put it on the machine - and I have scheduled an appointment for next week 100 miles away at the only transmission shop that I really trust - his first response was exactly that - we'll hook it up and take it for a run -- but in the mean time I was thinking maybe someone with a lot of experience could tell me the most like top 2 or 3 - especially since this started immediately after a fluid change on a car that had been changed at reasonable mileage intervals - if it had never been changed - it wouldn't have surprised me that a problem developed but not with regular changes unless something happened that shouldn't have - like dirt where it should be or a bang to the lock up solenoid or maybe something I didn't think of - because its not only the money at stake its my personal pride in maintaining a piece of equipment.

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carriedi
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Re: 2011 Impala Reving too high before shift on hill

Unread post by carriedi » Mon May 12, 2014 1:59 am

I have heard that the 6 spd trans with the v6 engine will run higher rpms on moderate load. up to around 4500-5000 rpm and that's normal for that trans. But if you found that it wasn't like that before you had your fluid changed, did they use the correct fluid? should be dextron 6. If dextron 3 was used it could possibly affect how the trans shifts. Dealer probably thinks it's all normal. What did they tell you?
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ebays2muchfunn
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri May 09, 2014 4:13 pm

Re: 2011 Impala Reving too high before shift on hill

Unread post by ebays2muchfunn » Mon May 12, 2014 10:24 pm

I think it was the D-6(VI) fluid still need to cross reference the part number from the dealership but I did verify that according to the paperwork that the part number for the fluid was the same at the 50some k fluid change and the change at 98k - odd thing seems to get worse at higher outside temps was really noticeable in 90s but not as much when the temp dropped to 60s this cars was listed for the 6 fluid from the get go another dealer mentioned that sometimes the put in a kit too the tune of $1000 bucks to compensate for low pressure which made me wonder why they switched to the new fluid and it sounds like it was part of the push for gas mileage - ie thinner fluid / thinner motor oils --I wondered if the clearances in the transmission might be getting slightly greater with age like a motor will do and the thinner new D-6 fluid had thickened slightly do to deterioration but when it was changed this time the more worn transmission might not be able to tolerate it as well as before-- so maybe Lucas oils ultra thick transmission treatment might thicken the fluid a little and buy some life - but I also noticed a little bit of a pulsing surge in the idle not much but a little still wondering if it could be something in the fuel or the fire- state police mechanic that works on the cruisers thought it wa probably a sensor somewhere maybe tps which would fit with the surge but It's so faint I could be imagining it but I'm sure the temp is having an effect- thanks for listening and responding I don't mean to fuss I'm just aggravated that the dealer wouldn't even put it on the machine so I'll have to put about 750 to 800 miles on a car that I'm not sure about this week before I can get it to the transmission shop on Friday - Ill hold off on my final opinion until I've had time to chill but I don't think I trust that shop anymore not because any mistake that was or wasn't made but because when I asked nicely and explained that I get very sick if caught out in the heat- such as breakdown - they wouldn't even check further than a test drive - for a problem that the tech agreed was not normal- it just sat there and hung - just wouldn't shift - I'm just doing my best to make sure I have it where I want it before I hit the hills as long as I don't get bogged down by a group of trucks it works pretty well thanks again

ebays2muchfunn
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri May 09, 2014 4:13 pm

Re: 2011 Impala Reving too high before shift on hill

Unread post by ebays2muchfunn » Mon May 12, 2014 10:41 pm

Brain gone the tech wouldn't say what he thought was wrong just watch it and bring it back if the shifting got rougher or the mileage dropped a bunch - just made me wonder after if he didn't want any record of my visit before 100k

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