Hi all. I'm potentially looking to buy an automatic FD. According to the owner, one I'm currently eying says it: "seems to search at 65-70. It shifts from 4th to 3rd, but at 75 mph it's fine. It could be a shift solenoid, but I'm not sure. It doesn't happen all the time." Unfortunately it being in CA I can't personally check it out, and am wondering if this is possibly normal behavior/a speed at which the automatics tend to hunt for overdrive? Thanks in advance!

(please no discussion regarding automatics being blasphemous in an FD as I'm disabled/unfortunately don't have an option there)

 

sounds like the tps is off this will cause some jerking . but then again it could be a number of things. ask him if the trans light on the dash is flashing?

Jeff

 

Not normal but you can pull codes from the transmission by jumpering at the diagnostic port just like you do with the ECU. Only difference is the Hold light will flash the codes instead of the Check Engine light.

In my experience with FD automatic transmissions, they usually do little things like you describe right berfore the **** storm and they quit working altogether or you lose a gear entirely. Ive personally killed 3 or 4 automatic transmissions before giving up on them.

Some good news is that aside from labor, used automatic transmissions and transmission computers are pretty cheap and sometimes nearly free.

 

Thanks for the info & suggestions guys. Is it still jump the GND & TAT pins to get the Hold/OD light to flash codes, like other Mazda's of similar years?

Most of what I've read of the FD's automatic has been positive, (so long as you don't go wild with power). Is a tranny install also something you should have done only by a rotary specialist? (I'm guessing so but just thought I'd ask)

 

You can look in the service manual for code pulling instructions. Problem is that most online versions omit it - its the biggest sectrion of the whole book!

I personally say don't increase the power at all and lay off the smokey power braking burnouts. Someone will chime in and say they ran 300, 400, or a bazillion horsepower through one though.

You don't have to be a rotary specialist to swap the transmission. It is not rotary specific technology here. Bolt out, bolt in. Its a no brainer as long as you don't open it up for repairs. Automatic transmissions are full of voodoo and witchcraft! It really is the most complicated mechanism in the whole car and thats why the automatic transmission section is bigger than any other section in the service manual - even larger than engine overhaul! The big thing that sucks arbout the automatic transmission is that is SO ******* HEAVY. Way heavier than a manual. Make sure no one has their hands in the way for sure.

 

Haha, gotcha.. at least right now, if/when I get one I've got no real intentions of adding power, short the small amount the typical reliability mods tend to add. As far as the specialist question, I just wasn't sure if one would encounter engine specific vacuum lines etc. Good to know I just need a mechanic with small hands. (such is also the case with Miata tranny swaps) At so far, I've never been big on power braking, smokey burnouts either, but I guess I've not really had the ability, haha.

 

The transmission is electronic, not vaccum operated.

 

I've not had the chance to look at them yet, was just told that automatics had a bigger rats nest of vacuum lines under the hood & wasn't sure what all might be involved with a swap etc. Thanks for the clarification.

 

^^^ There is one extra small vaccum tank for the automatic in the rats nest and a hose or two. They have something to do with the double throttle. I removed it during some emissions and other vacuum simplification at one time and it seemed to have no effect. If you're just trading out transmissions, you won't be anywhere near it.

 

Great, thanks for the information. There's a chance I'll be in contact someday for more detail. The aforementioned FD also has an issue with the speedometer acting up @ random, which he thinks may be related to the speed sensor. Hunting for O/D & speedo issues, hmmm..