[V8] 92 V8 4.2 - automatic transmission going into emergency mode

[Ed Kellock]

The 92 that I bought recently to be an engine donor would go into limp
mode.  When I picked it up to bring home it was in limp mode.  I shut
it off at a light for another reason and when I restarted, it was
fine.  Later when I started it again when it was cold, it was in limp
mode.  When I got some time to work on it, I drained/refilled the
transmission, getting far less than a gallon out.  No more limp mode
since.  I think it can be sensitive to fluid level.  Even if that
causes limp mode for some intermediate reason.  I attribute my
experience with limp mode to the fluid being more voluminous when it
was hot than when cold and the fluid level was some where in between
so when warm, there was enough fluid to not cause whatever
intermediate issue tripped limp mode.

Since I have never had one with known/documented completely fresh
fluid, I don't worry about checking the level.  I just pull the drain
plug on the tranny, dispose of whatever drains out, and refill with
one gallon of ATF.  This ensures that the fluid level will be correct.
 It also gets you some new fluid in there.

I understand this may not be an attractive option if one has recently
done a complete flush and refill however.

Ed


On 10/30/07, cobram at juno.com <cobram at juno.com> wrote:
>
> I've seen V8Q transmissions that were so low on fluid that they'd slip on
> corners, but low fluid level never caused them to go into limp mode.
>